Music / News
Massive Attack featured in Windrush Top 20
Celebrating this year’s 75th anniversary of the Windrush first arriving in Britain, a Top 20 playlist has been compiled by the Windrush 75 Network.
The playlist showcases the contribution made to UK music by the Windrush generation, their descendants and those who followed from across the Commonwealth over the past 75 years.
Massive Attacks join other big names on the list, including Stormzy, UB40, Boney M and Billy Ocean.
is needed now More than ever
The chronological list includes tracks from 1948 all the way up to 2021.
The list begins with Lord Kitchener who performed a specially-written song live on a report for Pathé News as he stepped off the HMT Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks and concludes with Little Simz.
The playlist was overseen by Mykaell Riley, director of the Black Music Research Unit and PI for Bass Culture Research at the University of Westminster and founding member of British 70s reggae band, Steel Pulse.
Mykaell Riley said: “It’s a great list which scratches the surface of a hugely important cultural contribution. In many ways, it’s a teaser to what lies beyond the beats, melodies and songs that have found their way into so many lives.”
Windrush 75 Network convenor Patrick Vernon said: ‘The Windrush generation and those who followed have made a massive contribution to so many aspects of British life, from sport and culture to business, public services and faith.
“Our popular culture and music in particular is immensely richer because of this Black British influence. We’re celebrating that with the Windrush Top 20 and it’s something we want everyone to celebrate across the UK as we mark the 75th anniversary of Windrush this year.”
You can listen to the Top 20 list at https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5PL9RSRK6bgzK0EyJO2F7z?si=fffa69fec9784be5
Main photo: Benjamin McMahon
Read next:
- NFTs of Banksy, Massive Attack and more ‘on sale’ for thousands of pounds
- Massive Attack: ‘Colston’s legacy has harmed Bristol’s international reputation’
- Massive Attack among Bristol collective spearheading project to support arts sector
Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast:
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
