The lost art of the sound man. Sound system DJs and selectors created a culture of experimentation which led to the birth of the first home grown black british genre. And then the next 30 years of new sound after new sound.
Let’s look at where we’re at today. Concert culture has almost replaced rave culture but it’s killing the conditions that created our most innovative music.
When crowds demand the familiar, DJs stop taking risks. When DJs stop taking risks, scenes stop evolving. But who’s really to blame?
If you’re one of the 635 people that missed out I’m gonna run it back and do another date at @shai.space - sign up to the newsletter so you don’t miss the ticket drop!
If you managed to grab tickets I’ll see you tomorrow!
From the 1940s to now, Black British musicians have always drawn from the past to create the future.
Lord Kitchener to Stormzy, Lovers Rock to Drum and Bass, Sound systems to living rooms, these songs are time capsules showing how different generations connect through sound.
Every one of these songs are featured in the audio soundscape for The Music is Black: A British Story at V&A East Museum. You can listen to a handpicked selection of the music on BBC Sounds.
Link in the bio to book tickets
Images used:
Lord Kitchener - album cover for "Doctor Kitch" by the Lord Kitchener, released in 1964.
Stormzy live at Glastonbury. Courtesy of Getty Images
Empire Windrush ship - Jones / Mirrorpix
Janet Kay in the 80s - Redferns
Goldie in car - Mike Lipscombe
Blues Dance scenes - Dennis Morris
Warehouse rave - Vinca Petersen
Stormzy - still from Big for Your Boots vid, dir. Daps
Windrush Southampton Docks - Howard Grey
Matumbi sound system - Syd Shelton
UKG party with woman with blue dress - Ewen SpencerGoldie - portrait - David Sims
TRAckLIST: Shoutout to @lowusounds , a true embodiment of consistency and UK culture advocate. Our paths crossed through online radio and community, united by our passion for music. We've maintained our mission to showcase talent from then until now. Lo-Wu's growth through music with @dipsandlowu to cultural commentary, including work with @vam_east , is inspiring. Over a decade of connecting fueled by music and culture.
A perfect full circle guest and finale for the Global Discovery series, as heard on 1Xtra and BBC Sounds. Big up my Discovery Crew📍🌍🌎🌏📡
FORWARD FRIDAY - 5 new additions to the playlist ⏩ link in bio
1. @swimful Backwards | crazy ukdrill + amapiano concoction
2. @whosnori shake_leg | I smell a 2026 summer anthem
3. @beau.blem Riddim N Nyash | cheeky title and cheekier UK Funky-esque flip of a classic
4. @nin0nat Ello | 😮💨
5. @mkjunoo Let Me Go | so smooth
An AI artist js something a major music label “can exploit for a much higher return”, DJ/producer/dot connector @lowusounds says, making it a “tricky” time for any musician making their way.
Crashed, the tech podcast about everything else, with @alexhuds and @cstokelwalker , discusses if AI albums are the future, why no music genre has been invented in the UK for a decade, and what Spotify’s power means for the music business.
I think it’s time we talk about this in person.
Introducing Lo-Wu Live, an event series where each chapter takes a story untold or a question unanswered and explores it through music, archival film and live storytelling.
Chapter 1: The Lost art of the sound man
📅 Sunday, May 10th
📍@shai.space
Tickets in my bio, hope I see you there!
The UK invented a new genre roughly every 4 years for almost 40 years. Then it stopped.
Now it’s been a decade since the last new homegrown UK genre was born and DJs have had a part to play in that.
Shout out @jenadae_ for hitting me up to collab on this!. This album had us in a choke hold!
For the UK historically, music from the Caribbean and the states were the main places of influence for the music developing here and from Jungle to Grime, Jamaican music DNA was most present. UK Funky introduced West & Southern African music styles which expanded the black British dance palette and increased the appetite for African sounds. @wizkidayo Superstar album was a pivotal body of work that among others fed that appetite once UK Funky left the clubs.
Fast forward a few years and west/southern african music DNA is a new normal
