How dub became a defining sound of '70s Britain

Bass odyssey — An exhibition at the Museum of London seeks to unearth the cultural and social impact dub music has had on the identity of the capital and to celebrate its pioneers.

From Kingston, Jamaica, to the streets of Hackney and Ladbroke Grove, dub music has profoundly impacted communities and culture across the world over the last 50 years. With its heavy beat of drum and bass, and spellbinding spacing of reverb and echo, dub’s sound is unmistakable; worlds away from the reggae music it stemmed from in the 1960s. 

Thanks to the Windrush generation that arrived from the Caribbean after World War II, dub flourished in Britain. It was in London that dub record labels were established and produced, before being exported to the rest of the world. 

Dub would go onto influence multiple sounds, from grime to garage and hip-hop, as well as genres inextricably linked to London, such as punk and post-punk, with bands such as The Clash and The Slits incorporating elements of dub in their work. But dub in its traditional form still survives, with the genre’s original pioneers – among them Lee Scratch Perry and Mad Professor – continuing to produce new material. 

Notting Hill Carnival Sound System 1989. Photo credit: Adrian Boot / Urbanimage

Photograph of two uniformed policemen dancing with two carnival-goers at the Notting Hill Carnival. Photo credit: Sydney Orleans Harding/Museum of London.

Now, an exhibition at the Museum of London entitled Dub London: Bassline of a City is paying tribute to the genre’s rich, multilayered legacy. “Spending time with the Rastafari movement, I learned very quickly that dub was much more spiritual,” says exhibition curator Terry Dhaliwal Davies of her research

“The bass is very, very deep. Several times people have described it to me as something going through your body… and how it feels like healing.” 

Much of the genre’s history revolves around record shops, which for decades have acted as vital community hubs and meeting points. “If you arrived in Britain [from Jamaica], it was one of the first places you went to,” explains Dhaliwal Davies. “It was where you could eat, meet a producer, or just talk about back home.” 

These stores have become part of the fabric of London, with places like West London’s Peckings – a record shop established in 1960 passed down through generations – still to this day standing. 

Notting Hill Carnival, All Saints Road, 21 August 1994. Photo credit: Peter Marshall/Museum of London.

The exhibition also touches on the political dimension of dub, and the experience of being Black and British in London during the ’70s. On display are two photos by Syd Shelton of the Battle of Lewisham – a protest held by the National Front on 13 August 1977 under the pretext of demonstrating against street crime. 

In a quote accompanying the photos, Red Saunders – one of the founders of Rock Against Racism – recalls being at the protest, and seeing an elderly Black woman on her balcony blaring Bob Marley in a show of solidarity with the protesters. “I think that really gives the backdrop of how dub became a connection between London and Jamaica,” says Dhaliwal Davies.

Alongside this historic photography are more recent images commissioned by the Museum of London captured at Nottinghill Carnival, which was cancelled this year for the first time in its 54-year history due to COVID-19. These photos follow the duo behind Channel One sound system – Mikey Dread and Jah T –who have been playing at carnival since 1983. 

Vinyl has been back in fashion for quite a long time and people are wanting to explore record shops,” says Dhaliwal Davies, reflecting on the genre’s continued popularity.People sometimes assume dub happened in a certain time. But, it’s still going strong.”

Channel One Sound System at Notting Hill Carnival 26 August 2019. Photo credit: Eddie Otchere/Museum of London.

Channel One Sound System at Notting Hill Carnival 2019. Photo credit: Eddie Otchere/Museum of London.

Channel One Sound System at Notting Hill Carnival 2019. Photo credit: Eddie Otchere/Museum of London.

Koo’s Record shop at Notting Hill Carnival 1989. Photo credit: Adrian Boot / Urbanimage

Notting Hill Carnival sound system, 1979. Photo credit: Adrian Boot/Urbanimage

Bob Marley, 1975. Photo credit: Neil Kenlock/Museum of London.

The Museum of London is temporarily closed due to the month-long lockdown across England, but they are still open online. Discover unseen footage and exclusive content exploring Dub London: Bassline of a City on their website here or go behind the scenes with the free Smartify app.

Follow Museum of London on FacebookInstagram or Twitter.

Daisy Schofield is Huck’s Digital Editor. Follow her on Twitter.

Enjoyed this article? Like Huck on Facebook or follow us on Twitter

 


You might like

A crowd of protesters holding placards and banners, including flags of Ireland, with "Defend the right to protest" and "Defend knee" written on them.
Activism

In photos: Hundreds gather outside court to protest Kneecap terror charge

‘Free Mo Charah’ — With drums, smoke and applause, protesters greeted the rapper outside court as he was released on unconditional bail.

Written by: Ella Glossop

Portrait of a bald man with glasses and a beard, set against a blurred background.
Activism

Misan Harriman: “The humanity I bear witness to is extraordinary”

Shoot the People — Following the premiere of a new film exploring the photographer’s work and driving forces, we caught up with him to chat about his rapid rise, shooting protests and the need for powerful documentarians in times of struggle.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Bus shelter display advertising Father's Day with orange and black text against an image of a man's face.
Activism

Campaigners hack UK bus ads on Father’s Day to demand Alaa Abd El-Fattah’s release

A father behind bars — Placing posters at bus stops around London, Leeds and Manchester, they called for greater action from foreign secretary David Lammy to reunite the British-Egyptian activist with his son and family.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Saturated green and white image of a person's face with text overlay stating "CAPITALISM IS EXPLOITATION, PERIOD"
Music

Yaya Bey: “Capitalism is exploitation, period”

do it afraid — Ahead of the release of her second 18-track odyssey in just over a single year, we caught up with the prolific singer, discussing the pitfalls of the music industry, European ‘voyeurism’ framing her previous album and breaking narratives set upon her by others.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Rustic footbridge across a river, with people crossing it on a sunny day. Warm tones and shadows suggest an outdoor, natural setting.
Sport

In Medellín’s alleys and side streets, football’s founding spirit shines

Street Spirit — Granted two weeks of unfettered access, photographer Tom Ringsby captures the warmth and DIY essence of the Colombian city’s grassroots street football scene.

Written by: Isaac Muk

Huck 79

We are all Mia Khalifa

How humour, therapy and community help Huck's latest cover star control her narrative.

Written by: Alya Mooro

Huck is supported by our readers, subscribers and Club Huck members. It is also made possible by sponsorship from:

Signup to our newsletter

Sign up to our newsletter to informed with the cutting edge of sport, music and counterculture, featuring personal takes on the state of media and pop culture from Emma Garland, former Digital Editor of Huck, exclusive interviews, recommendations and more.

Please wait...