Lunchtime Talk: 'Black Music: 40s, 80s, 00s and Now' with Derek James

Looking at key decades in the development of music by Black artists, guest speaker Derek James will break down the monumental influence of Black-origin music on the music industry in the 20th and 21st centuries.

We’ll be looking at how Black music and Black artists became mainstream; how a market for cover songs by white artists pushed Black artistry into the limelight; how Black artists spearheaded genre movements and changed perceptions of Black music; and how the changing ecosystems of music consumption, from record shops to mass consumption in the streaming era, have impacted Black artists and their ability to shape the music landscape.

Across four significant decades, this talk will examine the groundbreaking work of Black musicians, and the cultural barriers and industry mechanisms that have impacted the success of Black artists. Finally, we’ll look to the future, and what new technologies could mean for Black artists and the music industry as a whole.

From jazz, to calypso, to reggae, to Motown, to R&B, to hip hop, to grime – Black artists have been pioneers of genre and sound throughout the last 80 years. Join us for what promises to be a lively talk celebrating Black music, with discussion throughout.

Complimentary tea and coffee will be available to enjoy during the talk. We recommend arriving before the start of the talk if you would like to grab a refreshment.

Tickets are available for £5 online or at the Museum Shop (booking fee applies online). We strongly advise booking tickets in advance as we cannot guarantee that tickets will be available on the day.

Sales from tickets help support our work to deliver fun and accessible family activities, community engagement projects, schools workshops, exhibitions and special events for Oxford’s people in our Museum spaces.

Access at the Museum

The Museum is accessible for wheelchair users, buggies and baby carriers. There is step-free, level entry access to the Town Hall via the entrance closest to Carfax (to the left of the main steps as you face the Town Hall). Inside the Museum, Museum Makers is accessible via a platform lift and lift to the basement level. Accessible toilets are available in the Museum (close to Museum Makers) and in the Town Hall on the ground floor, before entering the Museum.

Please contact the Museum team if you'd like to talk to a member of staff about your access requirements. Further access information can be found on our website: https://museumofoxford.org/plan-your-visit/access.

Photo consent:

Please be aware that photographs will be taken at this event for use in marketing. If you (or a member of your group) would prefer not to be photographed, please let a member of staff know during the event.

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