Landmark V&A Exhibition Showcases Story of Black British Music

The curator of 'The Music is Black: A British Story' at London's new V&A East museum shares the research process and vision behind the groundbreaking exhibition.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 10:44am

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An abstract close-up image featuring a textured surface of shimmering sequins and glittering disco ball fragments, bathed in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting to create a glamorous, high-fashion aesthetic that conceptually represents the vibrant energy of Black British music.The dazzling textures and lighting of the 'The Music is Black: A British Story' exhibition capture the energy and artistry at the heart of Black British music.Today in Birmingham

The Victoria & Albert Museum's new V&A East location in London's Stratford neighborhood will soon open 'The Music is Black: A British Story', a landmark exhibition curated by Jacqueline Springer that explores 125 years of Black British music history and its profound impact on the UK's cultural identity. Springer, who previously worked in music journalism, broadcasting, and academia, spent years traveling the country to gather research, artifacts, and personal accounts from artists to create this immersive exhibition that reframes the origins and ownership of genres like jazz, blues, reggae, and grime.

Why it matters

This exhibition seeks to redefine the narrative around Black British music, highlighting how it has been a central force in shaping the UK's wider cultural identity despite often being marginalized or appropriated. By encompassing a vast timeline from the early 20th century to the present day, the exhibition examines the complex intersections of race, class, media representation, and power dynamics that have shaped the evolution of these musical styles and their reception.

The details

The Music is Black: A British Story features over 220 objects, including photographs, paintings, stage outfits, and personal ephemera from artists like Janet Kay, Dame Shirley Bassey, and Steel Pulse. It also explores how sounds and styles forged within Black British music have been reinterpreted by acts like The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Curator Jacqueline Springer spent years traveling the country, building relationships with artists and their families, to uncover lesser-known stories and artifacts that challenge the dominant historical narratives.

  • The exhibition opens on April 18, 2026 at the new V&A East museum in London's Stratford neighborhood.
  • Springer began working on the exhibition concept and research several years ago after being selected for the role of Curator Africa & Diaspora: Performance at the V&A.

The players

Jacqueline Springer

The curator of 'The Music is Black: A British Story' exhibition at the V&A East museum, with a background in music journalism, broadcasting, lecturing, and independent event curation.

JME

A grime artist and co-founder of the Boy Better Know collective, who provided Springer with a Super Nintendo that he used to make music, highlighting the inventiveness of Black British musicians working with limited resources.

Charlie Watts

The late Rolling Stones drummer, who was an avid jazz fan and record collector, and whose family Springer consulted as part of her research into the band's connections to Black British musical influences.

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What they’re saying

“Some people may think that this exhibition is just about the history of Black British music, which it isn't. Their mind may go straight to the mid-1970s, or if they like jungle and drum 'n' bass, the mid-'00s. But you have to travel through the preceding histories to get there, which are complex. They overlap. They show inhumanity; they show inventiveness. You have to strip it all back in order to get that messaging across.”

— Jacqueline Springer, Curator

“I just want people to leave the exhibition, if possible, thinking with awe. People who make music walk among you; you may be sat next to them on the bus, they may be sat opposite you on the train. Think how incredible it is to live under the same sky as somebody who makes music that makes you feel better about yourself.”

— Jacqueline Springer, Curator

What’s next

The Music is Black: A British Story will be on display at the V&A East museum in London's Stratford neighborhood for 9 months after its opening on April 18, 2026.

The takeaway

This landmark exhibition at the V&A East reframes the origins and impact of Black British music, highlighting how it has been a central force in shaping the UK's cultural identity despite often being marginalized or appropriated. By uncovering lesser-known stories and artifacts, the exhibition challenges dominant historical narratives and inspires awe in the creativity and resilience of the artists who have shaped these vital musical genres.