Dub London: Bassline of a City

From its roots in Jamaican reggae to how it shaped communities over the last 50 years, the Museum of London’s new display explores not only dub music, but also the cultural and social impact it has had on the identity of London and its people.

Dub has had a far-reaching impact across the music industry and the history of England’s capital. It has influenced multiple genres from drum and bass, garage and hip-hop to mainstream pop, and played an important role in the early days of the city’s punk scene.

Exploring this musical influence alongside community, fashion and spirituality, Dub London examines how dub is a varied thread that runs through an entire community. Highlights include:

The iconic speaker stack belonging to Channel One Sound System that has appeared yearly at Notting Hill Carnival since 1983
A bespoke record shop created with Papa Face of Dub Vendor Reggae Specialist with a selection of 150 vinyl records available to listen to* chosen by fifteen London based independent record shops
Collaborations with notable names and organisations including Mad Professor, Rastafari Movement UK, Sisters in Sound and more
Historic and contemporary photography, including 21 newly acquired photographs by Dennis Morris, Charlie Phillips, Eddie Otchere, Adrian Boot, Jean Bernard Sohiez and Richard Saunders.

Through collecting objects, memories and personal stories from some of Dub’s most iconic people and places from across London, including Hackney, Lambeth, Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove, Harlesden and Lewisham, the display plunges the visitor into the heart of Dub Reggae and invites to explore this cultural phenomenon.

Dub London: Bassline of a City is part of Curating London, a four-year contemporary collecting programme with funding from Arts Council England and part of the Museum of London’s SoundClash season.

Dub London: Bassline of a City is a free display but requires a free timed entry ticket to the museum to be booked in advance.

Please note, tickets are available 6 weeks in advance, with more dates being released weekly.

Dub London: Bassline of a City
Until 5 September 2021

Museum of London
150 London Wall
London EC2Y 5HN
www.museumoflondon.org.uk

Image: Exhibition view, Museum of London.