Journey through the roots and evolution of reggae in the city across the decades, with Black Obsidian Sound System and live DJ sets with Jumbi setting the tone.
Hosted by Dr Aleema Gray, founder of House of Dread, this event creates a space to reflect on Black music in London—particularly reggae—its cultural impact, and its role in shaping the city’s identity. Aleema will be joined by guest speakers for short conversations exploring the stories behind the music, the artists and the pivotal moments that has defined generations.
This event coincides with Dennis Morris: Music + Life, on until 28 September 2025 at The Photographers’ Gallery—a powerful exhibition showcasing the work of British-Jamaican photographer Dennis Morris, known for his iconic images of Bob Marley and other influential musicians, as well as scenes of London life.
Free and open to all.
Enjoy refreshments provided by Vita Coco on the day!
Event schedule
Music
12-2pm Asher G
2-4pm Elladhc
Talks (10 mins each)
12.45pm Dr Aleema Gray in conversation with Black Obsidian Sound System
1.45pm Dr Aleema Gray in conversation with Jumbi
2.45pm Dr Aleema Gray in conversation with House of Dread
Biographies
Black Obsidian Sound System
Black Obsidian Sound System was established in the summer of 2018 with the intention of bringing together a community of queer, trans and non-binary black and people of colour involved in art, sound and radical activism. Following in the legacies of sound system culture they wanted to learn, build and sustain a resource for our collective struggles.
The system, based in London, is available to use or rent by community groups and others with the purpose of amplifying and connecting them. Black Obsidian Sound System are Kiera Coward-Deyell, Phoebe Collings-James, Evan Ifekoya, Onyeka Igwe, Shenece Liburd, Marcus Macdonald, Nadine Peters and Shamica Ruddock.
House of Dread
HOUSE OF DREAD is an anti-disciplinary heritage studio. Guided by principles of co-production and community knowledge(s), they ask questions that disrupt what is already known, provoke creativity and inspire new ways of thinking.
Dr Aleema Gray is an award-winning Jamaican-born curator, researcher and public historian based in London. She was awarded the Yesu Persaud Scholarship for her PhD entitled "Bun Babylon; A Community-engaged History of Rastafari in Britain". Aleema’s practice is driven by a concern for more historically contingent ways of understanding the present, especially in relation to notions of belonging, memory, and contested heritage in the African and Caribbean diaspora. She was the Lead Curator for Beyond the Bassline: 500 years of Black British Music at the British Library and the founder of HOUSE OF DREAD, an anti-disciplinary heritage studio dedicated to preserving and activating African and Caribbean lived experiences across the diaspora.
Jumbi
Jumbi is a Hi-Fi Music Bar & Restaurant in the heart of Peckham celebrating the sounds & flavours of the African-Caribbean diaspora who have hand-picked our DJ's!
Asher G is a London-based reggae selector and DJ, known as "the Rocksteady Daddy". He was born in 1961 to Jamaican parents and grew up in North London. He is recognized for playing classic Jamaican records, particularly unusual instrumentals.
ELLADHC is a British-Caribbean female DJ and co-founder of Shindig Nights, based in South London. She's known for her unique blends and unconventional genre mixes, ranging from Shatta and Drum and Bass to Dancehall and eclectic sounds.
Supported by Westminster City Council as part of its Inside Out festival
