Bass Culture UK - How Bass Music Shaped British Culture Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/bass-culture-how-bass-music-shaped-british-society Bass Culture UK is the Black Music Research Unit at the University of Westminster, an academic research project exploring the impact of Jamaican and Jamaican-influenced music on British culture. Covering the period from the 1960s to the present day, with an initial focus on London and a particular interest in the years 1976 – 1981. We explore the impact of Bass Culture through the explosion of Jamaican genres like ska, reggae and dub in the UK to the development of distinct British variants like dub poetry, two-tone and lovers rock. We examine how and why this music’s influence has and continues to transform British pop from Susan Cadogan or The Clash to Stormzy. We also explore Bass Culture as a creative practice, an independent economy and a source of alternative philosophical and political ideas. This podcast is a collection of interviews with the people both behind the scenes and in the limelight of British Black Music. Black Culture Research Unit 2be3db30-825a-5f54-9c9f-df7b610ea64a no en Wed, 23 Jul 2025 14:36:52 +0000 Tue, 02 Dec 2025 20:22:05 +0000 http://blackmusicresearchunit.co.uk/ https://img.transistor.fm/Gzyn4rHT0kcwoLXRhHw9JECvjKzQYswHxfdaoiQE2mo/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS9zaG93/LzMyODcvMTU2Mzgw/MTgzNi1hcnR3b3Jr/LmpwZw.jpg Bass Culture UK - How Bass Music Shaped British Culture http://blackmusicresearchunit.co.uk/ episodic Black Culture Research Unit Bass Culture UK is the Black Music Research Unit at the University of Westminster, an academic research project exploring the impact of Jamaican and Jamaican-influenced music on British culture. Covering the period from the 1960s to the present day, with an initial focus on London and a particular interest in the years 1976 – 1981. We explore the impact of Bass Culture through the explosion of Jamaican genres like ska, reggae and dub in the UK to the development of distinct British variants like dub poetry, two-tone and lovers rock. We examine how and why this music’s influence has and continues to transform British pop from Susan Cadogan or The Clash to Stormzy. We also explore Bass Culture as a creative practice, an independent economy and a source of alternative philosophical and political ideas. This podcast is a collection of interviews with the people both behind the scenes and in the limelight of British Black Music. Bass Culture UK is the Black Music Research Unit at the University of Westminster, an academic research project exploring the impact of Jamaican and Jamaican-influenced music on British culture. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, Black Culture Research Unit No Yes Bass Culture: Paul Gilroy (part two) 13 13 Bass Culture: Paul Gilroy (part two) full d948f798-2428-4060-b3bf-bdd8bd5f62d2 https://share.transistor.fm/s/6947270d “Culture lives culture moves culture changes. It mutates. It’s restless.“


In this 2-part episode revered historian and academic Paul Gilroy reflects on his scholarly work as a translator as well as the many nuisances of Black British identity. Gilroy also reflects on his personal experience of growing up Black in Britain and his passion for music, providing much insight into the widening gap between reggae with the rising influence of soul music.


Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk

basscultureduk.com


Interviews conducted by Jacqueline Springer.

Recorded by Matthew Brown. 

Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak. 

]]> “Culture lives culture moves culture changes. It mutates. It’s restless.“


In this 2-part episode revered historian and academic Paul Gilroy reflects on his scholarly work as a translator as well as the many nuisances of Black British identity. Gilroy also reflects on his personal experience of growing up Black in Britain and his passion for music, providing much insight into the widening gap between reggae with the rising influence of soul music.


Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk

basscultureduk.com


Interviews conducted by Jacqueline Springer.

Recorded by Matthew Brown. 

Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak. 

]]> Wed, 24 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 3587 “Culture lives culture moves culture changes. It mutates. It’s restless.“ We continue the conversation with historian and academic Paul Gilroy. “Culture lives culture moves culture changes. It mutates. It’s restless.“ We continue the conversation with historian and academic Paul Gilroy. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No Bass Culture: Paul Gilroy (part one) 12 12 Bass Culture: Paul Gilroy (part one) full 00e6091e-14c4-448b-996d-442c8a30cf1f https://share.transistor.fm/s/0d6ace21 In this 2-part episode revered historian and academic Paul Gilroy reflects on his scholarly work as a translator as well as the many nuisances of Black British identity. Gilroy also reflects on his personal experience of growing up Black in Britain and his passion for music, providing much insight into the widening gap between reggae with the rising influence of soul music.

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk 
basscultureduk.com

Interview conducted by Jacqueline Springer.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> In this 2-part episode revered historian and academic Paul Gilroy reflects on his scholarly work as a translator as well as the many nuisances of Black British identity. Gilroy also reflects on his personal experience of growing up Black in Britain and his passion for music, providing much insight into the widening gap between reggae with the rising influence of soul music.

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk 
basscultureduk.com

Interview conducted by Jacqueline Springer.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> Wed, 17 Jun 2020 08:00:00 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 3560 In this 2-part episode revered historian and academic Paul Gilroy reflects on his scholarly work as a translator as well as the many nuisances of Black British identity. Gilroy also reflects on his personal experience of growing up Black in Britain and his passion for music, providing much insight into the widening gap between reggae with the rising influence of soul music. In this 2-part episode revered historian and academic Paul Gilroy reflects on his scholarly work as a translator as well as the many nuisances of Black British identity. Gilroy also reflects on his personal experience of growing up Black in Britain and hi bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No Bass Culture: Ras Kwame 11 11 Bass Culture: Ras Kwame full 5b14e0fb-1205-4864-9a94-67567dcdde5a https://share.transistor.fm/s/a4df875c Respected radio broadcaster Ras Kwame shares the experiences that shaped him from co-running a record shop and music production to the rave culture scenes of acid house, jungle, soul and hip-hop. 


Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk

basscultureduk.com


Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.

Recorded by Matthew Brown. 

Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> Respected radio broadcaster Ras Kwame shares the experiences that shaped him from co-running a record shop and music production to the rave culture scenes of acid house, jungle, soul and hip-hop. 


Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk

basscultureduk.com


Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.

Recorded by Matthew Brown. 

Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> Wed, 10 Jun 2020 13:00:00 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 3569 Respected radio broadcaster Ras Kwame shares the experiences that shaped him from co-running a record shop and music production to the rave culture scenes of acid house, jungle, soul and hip-hop. Respected radio broadcaster Ras Kwame shares the experiences that shaped him from co-running a record shop and music production to the rave culture scenes of acid house, jungle, soul and hip-hop. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No Bass Culture: Rodney P 10 10 Bass Culture: Rodney P full fcff7df9-04af-4ad9-ba1c-540fd31226af https://share.transistor.fm/s/ade6d85e "Coxsone is a traditional Jamaican sound that play Jamaican music and dub... and a sound like Saxon was a young English sound that kinda represented different. It was more emcees and a different kind of energy - more ragga-docious."


MC veteran Rodney P reminisces on sound systems highlighting the continuity between traditional sound systems into what would eventually become new emerging genres from UK hip-hop to jungle.  


Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk

basscultureduk.com


Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.

Recorded by Matthew Brown. 

Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak. 

]]> "Coxsone is a traditional Jamaican sound that play Jamaican music and dub... and a sound like Saxon was a young English sound that kinda represented different. It was more emcees and a different kind of energy - more ragga-docious."


MC veteran Rodney P reminisces on sound systems highlighting the continuity between traditional sound systems into what would eventually become new emerging genres from UK hip-hop to jungle.  


Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk

basscultureduk.com


Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.

Recorded by Matthew Brown. 

Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak. 

]]> Wed, 03 Jun 2020 12:00:00 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 3856 MC veteran Rodney P reminisces on sound systems highlighting the continuity between traditional sound systems into what would eventually become new emerging genres from UK hip-hop to jungle.   MC veteran Rodney P reminisces on sound systems highlighting the continuity between traditional sound systems into what would eventually become new emerging genres from UK hip-hop to jungle.   bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No Bass Culture: Janet Kay 8 8 Bass Culture: Janet Kay full 7a96a392-56dc-45c5-a2a3-97a3c726b2e4 https://share.transistor.fm/s/fae05be7 In this honest and reflective podcast the lovers rock legend shares her experiences of arriving in the industry as a young budding singer and the many ambivalent twists and turns of the music industry. 

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk 
basscultureduk.com

Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> In this honest and reflective podcast the lovers rock legend shares her experiences of arriving in the industry as a young budding singer and the many ambivalent twists and turns of the music industry. 

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk 
basscultureduk.com

Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> Wed, 27 May 2020 12:00:00 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 3574 In this honest and reflective podcast the lovers rock legend shares her experiences of arriving in the industry as a young budding singer and the many ambivalent twists and turns of the music industry. In this honest and reflective podcast the lovers rock legend shares her experiences of arriving in the industry as a young budding singer and the many ambivalent twists and turns of the music industry. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No Bass Culture: Linton Kwesi Johnson 6 6 Bass Culture: Linton Kwesi Johnson full fadbdc59-3070-41a0-974b-a9cb18fb6a51 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d6593129 "We could identify what the concrete jungle was over here living in these housing estates... Brixton was a ghetto back in those days"

In this enlightening and frank podcast Linton Kwesi Johnson reflects on his upbringing and the beginning of his journey as a renowned and pioneering dub poet.

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk
basscultureduk.com

Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> "We could identify what the concrete jungle was over here living in these housing estates... Brixton was a ghetto back in those days"

In this enlightening and frank podcast Linton Kwesi Johnson reflects on his upbringing and the beginning of his journey as a renowned and pioneering dub poet.

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk
basscultureduk.com

Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> Wed, 27 May 2020 12:00:00 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 3442 In this enlightening and frank podcast Linton Kwesi Johnson reflects on his upbringing and the beginning of his journey as a renowned and pioneering dub poet. In this enlightening and frank podcast Linton Kwesi Johnson reflects on his upbringing and the beginning of his journey as a renowned and pioneering dub poet. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No Bass Culture: Don Letts 9 9 Bass Culture: Don Letts full 29df32f4-51dd-4eb0-9a81-134e24315430 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c8016ad8 In this podcast Don Letts considers his time as a DJ at the Roxy during the rising of punk-music in the UK. He also delves into his involvement with BAD (Big Audio Dynamite) and his cinematic approach to making music.
 

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk 
basscultureduk.com

Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> In this podcast Don Letts considers his time as a DJ at the Roxy during the rising of punk-music in the UK. He also delves into his involvement with BAD (Big Audio Dynamite) and his cinematic approach to making music.
 

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk 
basscultureduk.com

Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> Wed, 27 May 2020 12:00:00 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 3557 In this podcast Don Letts considers his time as a DJ at the Roxy during the rising of punk-music in the UK. He also delves into his involvement with BAD (Big Audio Dynamite) and his cinematic approach to making music. In this podcast Don Letts considers his time as a DJ at the Roxy during the rising of punk-music in the UK. He also delves into his involvement with BAD (Big Audio Dynamite) and his cinematic approach to making music. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No Bass Culture: Dennis Bovell 7 7 Bass Culture: Dennis Bovell full b6e547c3-7ffe-4583-a3ba-73450050ad30 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c6a8ded4 This episode reflects on Dennis Bovell's music career as a bassist, and later record producer, as well as reflecting on running his Sufferer sound system which sometimes caused tensions between police during these dances. Part of our Bass Culture podcast series.

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk 
basscultureduk.com

Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> This episode reflects on Dennis Bovell's music career as a bassist, and later record producer, as well as reflecting on running his Sufferer sound system which sometimes caused tensions between police during these dances. Part of our Bass Culture podcast series.

Twitter/Instagram/Facebook: @basscultureduk 
basscultureduk.com

Interviews conducted by Mykaell Riley.
Recorded by Matthew Brown. 
Co-produced by Sara El Harrak and Youness El Harrak.

]]> Wed, 27 May 2020 12:00:00 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 3580 This episode reflects on Dennis Bovell's music career as a bassist, and later record producer, as well as reflecting on running his Sufferer sound system which sometimes caused tensions between police during these dances. This episode reflects on Dennis Bovell's music career as a bassist, and later record producer, as well as reflecting on running his Sufferer sound system which sometimes caused tensions between police during these dances. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No 5: Wildfred Walker CBE 5 5 5: Wildfred Walker CBE full tag:audioboom.com,2018-09-20:/posts/7014575 https://share.transistor.fm/s/93cf3232 Pioneering music promoter Wilfred Walker gives a rare interview.

]]> Pioneering music promoter Wilfred Walker gives a rare interview.

]]> Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:35:21 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 4548 Pioneering music promoter Wilfred Walker gives a rare interview. Pioneering music promoter Wilfred Walker gives a rare interview. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No 4: Sir Lloyd Coxsone from Coxsone Sound 4 4 4: Sir Lloyd Coxsone from Coxsone Sound full tag:audioboom.com,2018-09-20:/posts/7014539 https://share.transistor.fm/s/7d67fcf1 Before Sir Lloyd Coxsone ruled UK sound system culture, here is his story.

]]> Before Sir Lloyd Coxsone ruled UK sound system culture, here is his story.

]]> Thu, 20 Sep 2018 09:13:15 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 4466 Before Sir Lloyd Coxsone ruled UK sound system culture, here is his story. Before Sir Lloyd Coxsone ruled UK sound system culture, here is his story. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No 3: Dubplate Pearl 3 3 3: Dubplate Pearl full tag:audioboom.com,2018-09-18:/posts/7011529 https://share.transistor.fm/s/56b515d4 Dubplate Pearl, DJ and selector, full length interview with Dr. Caspar Melville

]]> Dubplate Pearl, DJ and selector, full length interview with Dr. Caspar Melville

]]> Tue, 18 Sep 2018 10:44:31 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 2881 Dubplate Pearl, DJ and selector, full length interview with Dr. Caspar Melville Dubplate Pearl, DJ and selector, full length interview with Dr. Caspar Melville bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, No 2: Red Saunders Part 2: Photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism 2 2 2: Red Saunders Part 2: Photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism full tag:audioboom.com,2018-08-06:/posts/6959415 https://share.transistor.fm/s/42ae36cf Second part of Red Saunders, photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism in conversation with Mykaell Riley, Director of The Black Music

]]> Second part of Red Saunders, photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism in conversation with Mykaell Riley, Director of The Black Music

]]> Mon, 06 Aug 2018 12:17:02 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 1796 Second part of Red Saunders, photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism in conversation with Mykaell Riley, Director of The Black Music Second part of Red Saunders, photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism in conversation with Mykaell Riley, Director of The Black Music bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, Yes 1: Red Saunders Part 1: Photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism 1 1 1: Red Saunders Part 1: Photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism full tag:audioboom.com,2018-08-06:/posts/6959413 https://share.transistor.fm/s/4da2f346 Red Saunders, photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism in conversation with Mykaell Riley, Director of The Black Music Research Unit.

]]> Red Saunders, photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism in conversation with Mykaell Riley, Director of The Black Music Research Unit.

]]> Mon, 06 Aug 2018 12:15:19 +0000 Black Culture Research Unit Black Culture Research Unit 4029 Red Saunders, photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism in conversation with Mykaell Riley, Director of The Black Music Research Unit. Red Saunders, photographer and co-founder of Rock Against Racism in conversation with Mykaell Riley, Director of The Black Music Research Unit. bass culture uk, black music, reggae, grime, dub, hip hop, Jamaica, ska, Yes