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A History Of UK Reggae

The Drum presents A History of UK Reggae

From punk to Britpop to dubstep, the UK has made some significant contributions to the global music scene. But what maybe not so apparent is the contribution that UK reggae music has made to the development of these genres. According to Professor Mykaell Riley, senior lecturer in Music Production at University of Westminster and founder member of pioneering, international reggae outfit Steel Pulse, UK reggae is a distinct genre of music emanating from the Black British experience. It is not the same reggae music that came out of the Studio One stables in Trench Town, Jamaica. “UK reggae has been shaped by a second generation whose cultural references are both British and Caribbean. It’s this blend or fusion of cultures and reference points that makes UK reggae separate and distinct from Jamaican reggae” says Riley.

The fact that UK reggae is distinctly different from its Caribbean cousin is a key point Riley wants to make. Furthermore, he wants us to be more enquiring and consider the far reaching impact UK reggae has had on what are considered to be uniquely ‘British’ sounds such as Britpop and dubstep. Through his talk, A History of UK Reggae which takes place on Thu 15 Jul @ 7.30pm, Riley will tell a story of a Black musical identity in crisis. It questions how the commercial music industry has been able to re-appropriate and re-package the messages of social justice and equality inherent in roots reggae music.

Birmingham is often referred to as the home of UK reggae, boasting a host of international artists such as Steel Pulse, UB40, Peter Spence and the original ‘Bhangra Muffin’, Apache Indian, so it is with great pride that we are able to present A History of UK Reggae as part of the Simmer Down International Reggae Festival 2010 (details of which are included below).

ENDS

Notes to Editors
Title: A History of UK Reggae
Date & Time: Thursday 15 July @ 7.30pm
Ticket Prices: £3.00
Venue: The Drum, 144 Potters Lane, Aston, Birmingham B6 4UU
Box Office: 0121 333 2444
Online Bookings: www.the-drum.org.uk
Facebook: Drum (West Midlands)
Twitter: Follow us on Twitter/The_Drum
MySpace: www.myspace.com/drumb6

About the speaker

Mykaell S. Riley began his career as a performer with pioneering reggae outfit Steel Pulse before moving on to found the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra. He has been a professional writer/producer/arranger for over fifteen years, producing music for TV and film and over thirty albums. He has worked for artists such as Soul II Soul, Courtney Pine, Baba Maal, and a host of others.

A Senior Lecturer in Music Production at the University of Westminster, Mykaell is also Senior Trustee for the Black Music Education Trust, a new initiative borne out of the need to document the history of Black music.

About Simmer Down International Reggae Festival

The Drum’s inaugural Simmer Down International Reggae Festival comprises a series of events that will take place throughout the summer. The festival features a family fun day – Simmer Down taking place on Sat 17 July from 12 – 6pm in Handsworth Park plus we have a live reggae music event on Sun 1 Aug featuring the international reggae icon Luciano affectionately known as ‘The Messenger’. He’ll be joined by the up and coming Jamaican deejay ‘Turbulence’.