The streets I wandered as a child.
AJ Tracey: Five girls at Notting Hill carnival by Johny Pitts (2010)
This photo perfectly captures the spirit of carnival. You can feel the day’s energy and the effort they put into getting ready to celebrate our culture. I grew up in Ladbroke Grove in west London, and I’m 32, so I’ve been to at least 25 carnivals. I’m Trinidadian, so it means a lot to me. It’s a piece of our culture that exists here. I love soca, but I also enjoy hearing Vybz Kartel or old-school Bob Marley—anything that puts me in a positive mood. Every year you hear a wide range of Caribbean music, and it always influences me. At least half of the new songs I have coming up probably came out of carnival—dancehall, reggae, and ragga.
I always used to go to the Rampage sound system, where the most energetic partygoers are. I saw So Solid Crew there and, eventually, when I became an artist, I was invited to perform myself. The first time was with Toddla T and Annie Mac, and I saw all my friends and family in the crowd. Performing in your own area, on the streets I roamed as a kid, is completely different from performing anywhere else. It was surreal.
‘Winning this was a big deal’
Stella, Renée and Jorja from Flo: Brit awards trophy designed by Slawn (2022)
Stella: This was our first Brit, our first proper award actually, so it was a big deal. The fact that Slawn is a Nigerian artist made so much sense, given the role that other countries—especially Black nations—have played in shaping Britain.
Renée: It was incredible that his heritage was highlighted. Not just, “This person made an award,” but, “This is where he’s from. This is the influence.” It felt so specific to our generation. We never want to chase awards, but recognition is one of the most important things. Seeing people like you doing amazing things can be so inspiring.
Jorja: We have people from so many different communities telling us they connect to the emotion and rawness of what we do. But every time we accept an award, we’re doing it on behalf of all the girl groups that came before us—especially those with Black British members, like Little Mix and Sugababes. They made it possible for us.
The Music Is Black: A British Story opens at the V&A East Museum, London, on 18 April.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the topic framed as if someone is asking about the article or documentary A crowd of people with their tops off Goldie Estelle Courtney Pine Flo and others share their favorite moments in Black British music
General Beginner Questions
Q What is this article or documentary about
A Its a collection of personal stories and favorite memories from iconic Black British musicians reflecting on the history and impact of the music scene
Q Who are the people featured
A It includes artists like Goldie Estelle Courtney Pine Flo and other significant figures in Black British music
Q What does the title A crowd of people with their tops off mean
A Its a quote from one of the contributors describing a specific euphoric moment at a concert or festival symbolizing the raw energy and freedom of the music scene
Q Is this about a specific genre of music
A No it covers a wide range from soul funk and jazz to hiphop drum and bass garage and grimeall part of the Black British music tapestry
Q Where can I watch or read this
A It was likely a feature in a publication like The Guardian or a segment from a BBC documentary Searching the exact title online should point you to the source
Deeper Advanced Questions
Q Whats the main theme or takeaway from these shared moments
A The theme is about cultural identity community resilience and the transformative power of music It highlights how these artists created a unique British sound against social and industry challenges
Q Why is it important to document these favorite moments
A It preserves an oral history from the artists themselves moving beyond charts and sales figures to capture the emotional and cultural heartbeat of the scene which is often overlooked in mainstream music history
Q What era of Black British music does this primarily cover
A Based on the artists it likely spans from the 1970s80s through the 1990s to the 2000s and beyond grime
