Beatport Presents: The Legacy of Sound – A Black History Month UK Exhibition

October has arrived, marking the start of Black History Month in the UK.

Like its US and global counterparts, the annual commemoration invites us to learn about, reflect on and celebrate the vital contributions of Black heritage and culture, with a particular focus on the experiences of Black communities in Britain. This year, the theme for Black History Month is “Reclaiming Narratives,” which shines a light on overlooked stories, historical inaccuracies and oft-untold successes.

To mark the occasion – and in keeping with this theme – Beatport took over Meanwhile on Flitcroft Street, London, from October 15th to 18th for a new exhibition celebrating the Black origins of four beloved electronic music genres: house, techno, UK garage and jungle. Entitled ‘The Legacy of Sound’, the show followed the success of our ‘Club Colours’ exhibition held at Meanwhile back in June.

Photo above:

London club night FWD>> at Plastic People.

Photo by: Georgina Cook
Instagram: @drumzofthesouth

Photo above:

Desmond Murray and friend dancing at the Spectrum x Time Out party in Jubilee Gardens on June 4, 1988.

Photo by: Dave Swindells.
Instagram: @dave_swindells

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Photo below:

A Guy Called Gerald in Juice Box Records Studio - Riverside Hammersmith, 1996

Photo by: Normski (Norman Anderson)
Instagram: @mistanormski / @normski_photography

Displayed throughout the gallery were iconic images and candid snapshots of genre innovators, club antics and other defining moments, captured by esteemed photographers Eddie Otchere, Normski, Georgina Cook and Dave Swindells.

The exhibition kicked off with a special event featuring London-based artists Josh Caffé, Mr. Redley, Kaylee Kay and Ama (who treated everyone to a high-octane set at the end of the night). Before that, though, the group took turns sharing personal stories and reflections on the genres they’re connected to, fusing history with memories and real-life experiences with cultural legacy.

It was an intimate and immersive experience, where those in attendance moved around the space, shifting from one storyteller to the next, and one genre to another.

Mr. Redley was first up, talking us through the origins and impact of techno. The DJ, producer, Rinse FM resident and Black Wine Club founder – who rather fittingly describes his sound as “London to Detroit” – walked us through the genre’s earliest years and key moments. He reflected on his first encounters with techno (and electronic music more broadly) and its pioneering figures like Juan Atkins and Robert Hood. As he spoke, he sprinkled in some “fun facts” about techno’s influence beyond dance music, like how Cybotron’s “Clear” was sampled by Missy Elliott in her 2005 track “Lose Control.”

Then it was the turn of Josh Caffé. The producer, vocalist, DJ and Love Child co-founder took us on a nostalgic journey as he mused on his long-standing connection to house music. From stories of his childhood home to collaborations with house legends and personal idols, he considered how his relationship with the genre has evolved in tandem with his journey to finding his voice. “Cut me open, and I’d bleed house music!” he joked, before teasing some exciting future releases you’ll have to keep an ear out for…

We moved across the room to the raw, frenetic sounds of jungle, where jungle and drum & bass DJ Ama was ready to welcome us. Speaking passionately about the genre’s history, she highlighted how this underground sound has captivated audiences all over the world. For her, she shared, education and opportunity are key. The more Black artists we see breaking through, the more space we create for the next generation – and the more inspiration they find. She credited artists like DJ Flight and the EQ50 initiative as important influences on her own journey.

Finally, DJ, presenter and ‘grimologist’ Kaylee Kay shared her love affair with UK garage. She navigated through the genre’s origins and evolution, explaining how it set the stage for the likes of dubstep and grime. UKG, she confessed, is what sparked her passion for electronic music early on. She recalled how Artful Dodger and Craig David’s "Re-Rewind," which she saw performed on Top of the Pops, pulled her into the garage scene and how, when she started raving, garage quickly became the soundtrack to her nights out.

Throughout the event, attendees could wander through the exhibition's imagery while listening to specially curated playlists from the Beatport curation crew for each genre, by scanning QR codes placed around the gallery space.

Special thanks to Farsight Collective and Something & Nothing!

Be sure to check out our Beatport chart series, 'Originators,' which highlights the pivotal tracks from Black talent whose pioneering work has defined the global electronic music scene.

• UK House: Listen here
• Techno: Listen here
• UK Garage: Listen here
• Jungle: Listen here