A Trip Beyond the Bassline
Text by Yeliz Zaifoglu and Ismael Ali Hamid Nasreldin | 22.08.24
The photography used in this article is taken by Giles Moberly from the MOYC Archives.
Beyond the Bassline, curated by Dr Aleema Gray and Dr Mykaell Riley, is a celebratory opening of a time capsule we have not seen yet. 500 years of Black British Music is effortlessly revealed to all your senses with the use of around 300 objects, music and soundscapes, videos, poetry, art and so much more.
Starting from the 1500s, each story, object and sound teaches you not only about the music but the communities behind them. Whether it was John Blanke and his trumpet in Henry VII’s court, 1970s Jazz singer Patti Flynn’s shining outfits, the West Indian Centre’s community nicknames or highlights from Jamal Edwards’ SBTV, every moment calls for your attention.
After spending many hours trying to soak up Beyond the Bassline, Ali and I picked some stories that we felt really grabbed us…
ALI
A Journey of Sound and Space
If you haven’t yet visited the “Beyond the Bassline” exhibition, make sure to catch it before it ends. This exhibition is a unique journey that engages all your senses and leaves you reflecting long after you leave.
One of the exhibition's most striking features is its innovative use of space, encouraging visitors to look around, especially upward. The tall ceilings and glimpses of hanging tapestries and lighting from other rooms create a sense of anticipation and curiosity, symbolising hope and the future. This design fosters an intriguing exploration of what lies ahead.
The sound design enhances this experience, with snippets from neighbouring rooms catching your attention and drawing you into a sensory tapestry. Rather than overwhelming, these sounds invite you to engage with the exhibition as a whole, making it feel like a cohesive, immersive journey rather than a series of isolated displays.
The journey culminates in a five-channel moving image film, serving as a grand finale. The film is displayed on five different screens, one of which is on the ceiling, further encouraging us to look up and around. The film opens with a saxophone note reminiscent of a ship’s horn, transporting you back to the exhibition’s start, focusing on the ocean. This connection underscores the roots of Black British music, beginning with the interactions between African cultures and the West. The film’s sounds reinforce this theme, emphasising the rich cultural tapestry that has shaped the music.
A Nod to Sampling: The Global Reach of Black British Music
A standout section of the exhibition focuses on sampling—a technique where artists take sections of audio from existing songs and rework them into new tracks. This nod to sampling highlights how Black British music has influenced mainstream music globally, and reaches far beyond Britain.
The exhibition honours two Black British artists: folk poet and singer Labi Siffre and the soul group Cymande. Labi Siffre’s work has been sampled 54 times, contributing to hits like Kanye West's "I Wonder," Eminem's "My Name Is," and Jay Z's "Streets Is Watching." Similarly, Cymande's 1972 song "Dove" has been incorporated into 42 songs, including "The Score" by Fugees, "Problems" by Wu-Tang Clan, and "U Got Shot" by EPMD.
This section stands out by illustrating how Black British music transcends its origins, becoming an essential ingredient in shaping hip-hop and other genres worldwide. It echoes the exhibition's broader theme of looking beyond and recognising the interconnected, global nature of music, especially when created out of the diaspora.
Ultimately, “Beyond the Bassline” is more than an exhibition; it’s an experience that inspires thoughts about the past and future. It reminds us of the diverse influences that have shaped Black British music and culture.
If you’re looking for an experience that will engage your senses and spark your curiosity, be sure to visit “Beyond the Bassline” before it closes. It’s an experience not to be missed!
YELIZ
Reno Nightclub Objects
The exhibition gives spotlights to the spaces that nurtured different genres and communities to fruition, one in particular was The Reno in Moss Side, Manchester. Opened by Nigerian born Phil Magbotiwan, the iconic space was a late night Soul and Funk club from 1962-1986, locals used the space as a safe haven from the various forms of racial oppression and abuse against Black and mixed-heritage communities in the 1970s. Reno was a place for safety and a hub to forming lifelong friendships among a community of like minded music lovers. Before the Reno, the building had a history of being a space that called for safe collective gathering of African and Caribbean communities from the mid 1950s as a part of the African Seaman’s Mission. It seems its walls always had a calling for healing.
After the sudden demolition of the Reno in 1986, it left the Reno family grieving its hub for their tight-knit community. The club left such an impact after its destruction that Reno Regular and Jamaican-Irish playwright Linda Brogan initiated a community project Excavating The Reno, collecting memoirs and unearthing the site of Reno in 2016. The project uncovered beautiful stories, reunited old friends and recovered an impressive amount of objects from the dig. Some objects which are sitting cosy in Beyond the Bassline.
Before you leave, Iwoyi (2024) is your gift. Made by Tayo Rapoport and Rohan Ayinde in collaboration with Touching Bass, Iwoyi is a 5-channel visual and sonic sound experience touching on Black British music’s past, present and future. Using Touching Bass’ ideas around music having a ‘spiritual ability to bring people together’, the film feels to be a perfect rounded ending; focusing on themes of heritage, family, connectivity and expression with an Afrofuturistic twist that leave you in awe. In these last moments you are given time to reflect on the bank of time you’ve consumed and think about how your own music taste has been influenced by that history. The exhibition truly is an educational celebration of African and Caribbean constant influence on British culture.
Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music is on at the British Library until August 26th.