MUSIC IS BLACK HC A BRITISH STORY

Epic in scope and deeply personal, The Music is Black: A British Story traces how imperial histories and the African diaspora shaped British music and identity. Jacqueline Springer guides readers through centuries—from the 1400s' early soundscapes to the 1900–1970s black musical panorama that gave birth to lovers rock, Brit funk, 2 Tone, jungle, drum & bass, trip-hop, UK garage, and grime. The book pairs rigorous context with vivid artist interviews and critical essays, highlighting pivotal moments of resistance, celebration, and cultural exchange. It situates genres within social and political currents, examining how migration, urban life, and policy transformed the soundscape. Featuring contributions from Springer and a roster of interviewees, including Carroll Thompson, Neville Staple, Bluey Maunick, and others, this hardcover collection bears eloquently on creativity, resilience, and the enduring power of music to define a generation.

Who might be interested in reading?

• Readers drawn to Black British culture and the evolution of UK music across decades.
• Fans of sociocultural history who want context for how genres reflect urban life and politics.
• Music journalists, students, or general readers who enjoy in-depth interviews and genre histories.
• Anyone curious about how a spectrum of genres—from 2 Tone to grime—shaped contemporary British identity.