Jukebox Collective, a community-rooted, youth-led collective, proudly announces its participation in the historic exhibition, “Beyond the Bassline: 500 Years of Black British Music,” at the British Library in London. As the Welsh partner, Jukebox Collective contributes the short film “Of Us,” offering a unique perspective on the rich heritage of Black music in Britain.
“Beyond the Bassline” which spans April 26 – August 26, 2024 marks a significant milestone, being the first major exhibition to explore the musical journey of African and Caribbean communities in Britain.
Curated by Dr. Aleema Gray in collaboration with Dr. Mykaell Riley, this exhibition promises to shed light on the influence of African and Caribbean communities on the British musical heritage through a display of sound archives, historical artifacts, live performances, multimedia presentations, the exhibition tells stories of the people, spaces, and genres that have transformed the British music scene, and the impact Black British musicians, creatives, and entrepreneurs have had on popular music since the 16th century.
Within the exhibition’s “interruption” spaces, visitors will encounter “Of Us” (2024), a Jukebox Collective production commissioned by the British Library. Directed and choreographed by Liara Barussi, the film was filmed in South Wales and pays homage to the legacy of one of the UK’s oldest Black communities, residing in Cardiff’s Tiger Bay district. Employing powerful dance and movement, the film explores themes of migration, identity, and the ancestral connection between body and memory.
Liara Barussi, Artistic Director of Jukebox Collective, offers insights into the film’s inspiration “Of Us’ journeys into the whispers of our seas, intertwining stories of migration with the universal symbolism of water. Echoing concepts of the Black Aquatic and Tidalectics, the film juxtaposes the fluid and fixed.’
The short film will be showcased in the exhibition’s ocean space, providing visitors with an immersive audio-visual experience. The sound will be curated by South London’s Touching Bass platform, while the styling, will be by Lauren Anne Groves, featuring pieces from Black-owned brands like Ahluwalia and Jawara Alleyne. The cast comprises talented young Black Welsh performers nurtured through the organisation’s artist development program.
Liara Barussi expresses her pride in Jukebox Collective’s role: “We’re honoured to represent Wales in this historic exhibition. The film serves as a tribute to the often-overlooked and underrepresented Black communities of Wales, highlighting their heritage and culture within the broader narrative of Black British music.”
For further information on the exhibition please visit beyondthebassline.seetickets.com
Tickets are available to purchase online with Pay What You Can days on the first Wednesday of every month.
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Written By Angel Joanne Okonkwo
Film Credits
Director & Movement Director: Liara Barussi
Producer: Lauren Patterson
DOP: Nathan O’Kelly
Sound Design: Touching Bass
Stylist: Lauren Anne Groves
Creative Consultant: Leyman Lahcine
Lead Cast: Gui Pinto, Venice Williams, Monet Williams
Cast: Jukebox Academy – Teaghan Scanlon, Karim Mohamed, Fatima Jarju, Ayoola Wonder,
Elizabeth Oredola, Perez Rodriques, Rio Rodriques, Quincy Chambers, Akeylah Hinton,
Blessing Oredola, Sheighley-Sky
Movement Assistants: Darnell Williams, Naomi Ferne, Patrik Gabco, Millie Campion
Hair Stylist: Trent Jackson
Barber: Isaac Omoyibo
Editor: Pawel Achtelik
Colourist: Sharon Chung
Graphic Design: Henny Valentino
