Name: “Escaping Babylon: An Intimate History of Black British Music” Book Launch
Start: 2026-05-21T19:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-21T22:00:00+01:00
Location: The Africa Centre

$\u201cEscaping Babylon: An Intimate History of Black British Music\u201d Book Launch$

How thirty years of Black music reshaped Britain, from 1989 to present day
About this Event

The Africa Centre is proud to present the book launch of ‘Escaping Babylon: An Intimate History of Black British Music’ by Jesse Bernard, a London-based journalist, DJ and filmmaker.

With this first book, Jesse explores 3 decades of Black music has transformed Britain, from 1989 to present day. Shapeshifting, collaborative, endlessly inventive and robustly empowering: Black music has transformed British culture and society, and gifted generations of Black Britons a powerful means to reject misrepresentation, find freedom, and express joy through sound. From the height of jungle and hip-hop in the 90s, to the London uprisings in 2011, to the birth of UK trap and the rise of grime superstars, Jesse Bernard expertly examines how Black culture in Britain is moulded by creativity drawn from across the world. from Lagos to Los Angeles, Sao Paolo to South London. ‘Escaping Babylon’ dives into the history of Black British music to celebrate its rich heritage and towering legacy.

Writer, DJ, and broadcaster Zakia Sewell will also be at the event, in discussion with Jesse Bernard. Zakia hosts Dream Time on BBC Radio 6 Music, and used to host the flagship breakfast show on NTS Radio. For the past eight years she has been producing and presenting radio documentaries and podcasts for platforms such as BBC Radio 3 and 4, Tate and Camden Arts Centre. Her acclaimed four-part Radio 4 series ‘My Albion’ was an inspiration for her book of the same name, where she discusses British national identity, folk culture and myth. Zakia’s writing has appeared in publications including Tate, Resident Advisor and Weird Walk, as well as in the essay collection ‘This Woman’s Work’.

As well as discussion between Jesse and Zakia, Jamie Joy will be performing as a DJ for the night. His passion for Black and African music will influence the sound that he curates for the event, blending us an unforgettable atmosphere.

Jesse Bernard and Zakia Sewell will be exploring the past, the present, and the future of Black British music, so join us for an insightful and celebratory discussion honouring the depth, innovation and lasting impact of Black British music, and the communities who have shaped it.