Our alumna Aleema Gray has curated the headline 'Beyond the Bassline' exhibition at the British Library (26 April-26 August).
Aleema was a lovely student and went onto the fantastic History department at Warwick University for her PhD on Rastafarian culture. We’re so thrilled for her and can’t wait to find out what her next step is - GO ALEEMA!
Beyond the Bassline is a map through Black music in Britain. Transporting experiences give way to absorbing soundscapes, artworks and films produced by artists and collectives across the UK. Archival footage leads into spectacular costumes, interactive displays, and of course, music. And at the conclusion of the exhibition, Tayo Rapoport and Rohan Ayinde present a new multi-screen film installation in collaboration with Touching Bass, a South London-based musical movement and curatorial platform.
Dive into letters from 18th-century composer Ignatius Sancho, glittering props and outfits of glamorous performers, records from the likes of Fela Kuti and Shirley Bassey, nostalgic video archive of grime’s golden era captured on Risky Roadz DVD and the equipment that Jamal Edwards used to start SB.TV, the industry-defining YouTube channel dedicated to Black British Music. Here, alongside over 200 exhibits, they are woven into union as you journey through an ever-evolving and ever-expanding history.
