Black on Black sounds

Music, Migration, and the ‘NU-K Blak’ identity formation in early 21st century Britain

Datos Bibliográficos

ID21981998
AutoresMonique Charles (0000-0002-9634-0127, Chapman University, autor de correspondencia)
Año2025
Volumen15
Número2
Páginas21-43
Fecha de publicación2025-11-24
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaIASPM Journal (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2079-3871 • E-ISSN: 2079-3871
EditorialInternational Association for the Study of Popular Music (IASPM) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.5429/2079-3871(2025)v15i2.3en
OpenAlexW4416598547
IdiomaEN
Referencias citadas45

Examining literature on the under researched areas of Afrobeats and African migration to Britain, this article identifies significant internal shifts in the ethnic diversity of Black Britain —i.e., from Caribbean (predominantly Jamaican) to West African (Nigerian, Ghanaian) (ONS 2011). Interpreting literature and applying to the British context, it highlights how Afrobeats reshapes Blackness in Britain, particularly the incorporation of desirable Africanness through Afrobeats music. It argues that demographic and musical shifts in Britain result in a renegotiation of the Caribbean and US dominant 20th century Black Britishness — ‘UK Blak’ identity (as identified by Bradley 2013, Gilroy 1993 & Palmer 2011). It proposes a new 21st century ‘NU-K Blak’ identity that incorporates West African culture and aesthetics. The article contextualises and builds upon limited research on Afrobeats, Black British youth and their musical identities and elucidates the significance of migration, London and West African values to Afrobeats’ commercial success

Black african · Black British · Britishness · Ethnic group · Musical · Caribbean history, culture, and politics · Music History and Culture · Postcolonial and Cultural Literary Studies