The influence of Black music on British culture

This session will explore the under-represented history and highly influential impact of British Black music through the prism of key figures who have personally experienced its evolution since the 1970s.

Panellists include seminal figures such as international recording artist Leee John of early 80s Brit funk/soul act Imagination; pioneering 70s funk DJ, Motown and Capital label rep and international live music agent, Les Spaine; multi-faceted broadcaster and radio presenter, Angie Greaves; Love Supreme Jazz Festival founder and former head of legal and business affairs at Universal Music International, Ciro Romano; and International renowned music business journalist and consultant Juliana Koranteng of JayKay Media Inc.

The session will discuss how British Black music evolved from the funk, jazz, sound system and soul scenes to today’s grime and urban acts – in turn, creating a movement that has given the UK one of its most distinctive voices that has influenced music all over the world.