June 22nd 2023.
Jelani 'JB Wassifa' Brown is continuing his family's legacy, which began more than half a century ago. As events to mark the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation's arrival in the UK get underway today, JB has drawn on his Jamaican heritage in an exclusive mix for The Agency.
JB, from Handsworth, Birmingham, is part of the third generation of his family after his grandparents arrived from the island seeking work and brighter prospects in the 1950s. His dad, Mykal 'Wassifa' Brown MBE, joined with friends and family to form the sound system, which marked its 50th anniversary last year.
For JB, reggae is 'a thing of the soul'. It allowed the Windrush Generation to maintain a sense of identity in a different culture, and it brought the community together. Music was also a way to learn about their history and culture, as the mainstream media wasn't covering this topic.
Mykal, 62, was still in school when he helped fashion speaker stacks and 'play out' on what would become the Wassifa Showcase. Growing up surrounded by imported vinyl, JB, now 38, was always destined to follow the family tradition. 'It's just been second nature for me', he explains.
The Windrush Generation's musical legacy can be traced back to calypso singer Lord Kitchener, who wrote the song 'London is the Place for Me' during the Empire Windrush's voyage in 1948. The ship's arrival at Tilbury dock provided the defining moment of the post-war migration from the islands, which filled labour shortages and shaped multi-cultural Britain. This included JB's grandparents Elrick and Vera 'Miss Dotty' Brown, who laid down their family's roots in Birmingham.
Calypso sounds gave way to stirring messages of Black consciousness espoused by singers such as Dennis Brown. His song 'I Don't Want to be no General' features in JB's mix, and is a reminder of the Windrush Generation's lasting contribution to reggae. Through his music, JB is continuing this legacy and keeping the 'roots and culture' side of the music alive.
Jelani 'JB Wassifa' Brown is an important figure in a sound system legacy that has been around for more than half a century. Reggae is "a thing of the soul", as he says, and this is reflected in the special mix he has created for the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation's arrival in the UK.
JB is a DJ and presenter who has performed with some of the biggest names in the genre. As events commence all over the country for the HMT Empire Windrush's disembarkation at Tilbury dock, his exclusive mix pays tribute to his family's Jamaican heritage.
JB's father, Mykal 'Wassifa' Brown MBE, is part of the second generation of the Wassifa sound system. The sound system celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, and JB is determined to keep the 'roots and culture' side of the music alive in a time when some of the 'late greats' are no longer around.
JB's grandparents, Elrick and Vera 'Miss Dotty' Brown, were part of the Windrush Generation. They arrived in the UK seeking brighter prospects and work opportunities in the 1950s. Music was an important part of the identity of the Windrush Generation, and provided a form of therapy for those who had to adjust to a different culture. It was also used to educate people about their history and culture, which was not always adequately covered by the mainstream media.
Mykal was a schoolboy when he helped set up the sound system. JB, now 38, grew up surrounded by records and, as he puts it, it was his gift from a young age.
The Windrush Generation's musical legacy can be traced back to calypso singer Lord Kitchener, who wrote the song 'London is the Place for Me' during the voyage. Dennis Brown's 'I Don't Want to be no General' is among the tracks featured in JB's mix, along with other stirring messages of Black consciousness.
JB's mix is a fitting tribute to the Windrush Generation, and a reminder of the power of music to bring people together and to educate.
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