In the words of the esteemed musician and activist Nina Simone,
“It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the times in which we live.”
These timeless words encapsulate the essence of why it is of utmost importance for us at UKF to educate ourselves about the best way to celebrate Black History Month within the bass music community. Our scene has always thrived on diversity, innovation, and inclusivity, making it an ideal platform for paying homage to the rich tapestry of Black culture that has woven its influence throughout the genre’s history.
It’s no secret that over the years the wider drum and bass scene has lost some of its connection to its black roots but in this space exists a powerful opportunity to echo the resounding voices of the past and present. As we enter the UK’s Black History Month, rather than, as a white editor, dictating the way we mark this heritage moment, I wanted to have the courage to ask black artists across the d&b scene how they would like to see Black History Month marked by UKF as well as other labels and brands.
Our conversations with these artists reveal why it is not only our privilege but our responsibility to educate ourselves about the best ways to honour and celebrate Black History Month within this vibrant, pulsating, and transformative subculture.
Words by: JON GLXY
Black History Month often gets made out to be some kind of national holiday for black people, when really for me, it’s about putting a spotlight on stories that were never told to the general public properly in the first place.
With this in mind, I think there’s a few ways the “scene” can celebrate and highlight the influence and innovation that black culture has cultivated within drum and bass and also celebrate black culture within d&b:
Firstly, I think education is the key, there’s a whole new generation of d&b enthusiasts that potentially don’t know the origins of the music. The longer time goes on, the further away the newest gen of d&b fans are from that story, so although it’s been told in many forms and many times, it’s important to reiterate why we call drum and bass/jungle “black music”.
Secondly, spotlighting black artists and mentorship schemes – some organisations do a great job of this already, so maybe just enabling and supporting them to amplify their voices is the best move.
Lastly support for black owned businesses inside, and adjacent to drum & bass – Amplify Black-owned record labels, event promoters, and platforms that promote diversity and inclusion in the drum and bass scene. Attend their events and support their initiatives, and even collaborate on bigger and better events too.
I think drum and bass transcends just race as a single dimension, there are socio-economic ties to its roots as well, part of the reason you’d see people from many different ethnic backgrounds coming together to celebrate and enjoy it. It definitely represents the best parts of my city – London, which in itself is a complete melting pot of cultures, styles and influences.
I also believe musically drum and bass is diverse enough for most people to find something they like about it, and I think that should also be celebrated more too. Large parts of this musical diversity come from diversity of thought, which in turn is generated from diversity of people, so you can see how it’s all connected. It’s easy to lean into what’s hot and what’s popular, but part of what makes d&b great is the variety you can get from a seemingly limited set of “rules’ ‘ when it comes to making this music.
Overall, I think by celebrating black culture within drum and bass, you really are just celebrating large parts of what drum and bass represents, and its roots, so maybe it shouldn’t just be a month long, but it’s a great starting point.
A note from us…
Looking to dive headfirst into a world of extraordinary Black artists, ready to support their craft through music purchases, event bookings, or simply revealing in their remarkable talents? Check out B.A.D – the Black Artist Database
B.A.D was born on June 4th, 2020, and was initially known as Black Bandcamp. Fast forward to May 5th, 2021, and it rebranded itself as Black Artist Database, or B.A.D. for short. B.A.D. is like a treasure trove of talent, a haven for international Black-owned record labels, artists, producers, and bands. It’s a place where the heartbeat of creativity finds its rhythm. This isn’t just a static list; it’s a dynamic, crowd-sourced database, constantly evolving, lovingly maintained by volunteers and dedicated administrators.
It’s about making it effortless for you to find, filter, and directly support the incredible work of Black artists worldwide. Think of it as a musical matchmaking service, connecting you to the melodies, beats, and lyrics that resonate with your soul. B.A.D. also hosts a diverse range of artistic endeavours, giving you a front-row seat to the vibrant Black creative community.
B.A.D. isn’t just about tunes and tracks; it’s about challenging the status quo in the music industry. It’s about breaking down barriers and inequalities that have persisted for far too long. By expanding their network and embracing the wider community, B.A.D. is on a mission to amplify Black voices, forging connections between communities, and creating a harmonious future.
