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Episode details

Radio 1Xtra,13 May 2026,9 mins

Mixtape: 1960s-70s

The Music is Black

Available for 72 days

Celebrating 100 years of UK black music with DJs Shortee Blitz and Beat a Maxx mixing up the tracks of the emerging Soul, Funk, British Reggae and Lovers Rock artists who pioneered the 1960s and 70s, including Shirley Bassey, Desmond Dekker, P.P Arnold, Cleo Laine, The Real Thing, Janet Kay, Aswad, Hot Chocolate, Carl Douglas, Joan Armatrading, Labi Siffre and many many more. Each episode is a whistle-stop tour of the genre-defining anthems and deep cuts from different eras and genres led by visionary black singers, musicians, rappers and producers. Produced by the BBC. The Music Is Black is a collaboration with V&A East Museum. For more information visit bbc.co.uk/themusicisblack.

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