V&A East unveils its brand new exhibition, The Music Is Black: A British Story, set to debut at the V&A East Museum on East Bank in 2025. This groundbreaking exhibition will shed light on the profound influence of Black British music in shaping British culture and making a global impact, finally narrating the long-overdue tale of Black excellence, perseverance, resilience, and jubilation.
Spanning the years from 1900 to the present day, The Music Is Black: A British Story will commemorate 125 years of Black musical contributions in Britain. It will transport visitors into the heart of the music scene, from vibrant Carnival celebrations to pulsating club nights, recording studios, record shops, electrifying MC battles, exuberant festivals, and much more.
Leveraging the extensive resources of the BBC’s Archive, this exhibition will feature a diverse soundtrack that spans generations, coupled with a visually evocative set design. Visitors will have the privilege of hearing directly from both the artists in the spotlight and those working behind the scenes, bringing the narrative to vivid life. From early trailblazers like Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Winifred Atwell, Emile Ford, and Janet Kay to internationally acclaimed music-makers such as Joan Armatrading, Eddy Grant, Sade, Soul II Soul, Seal, Fabio & Grooverider, Goldie, Massive Attack, and Tricky. It will also spotlight the multifaceted contemporary artists of today, from Shabaka Hutchings to Kano, Little Simz, Jorja Smith, Nubya Garcia, Ezra Collective, and many more.