Dennis Bovell, a Barbados-born guitarist and record producer, shares his journey from moving to South London at age 12 to becoming a key figure in British reggae. He discusses how reggae evolved as a sound of resistance against racism and colonialism in the UK. Bovell highlights his experiences with the band Matumbi, aiming to challenge societal norms and articulate the Black British experience. He also reflects on the creative processes behind landmark music projects, showcasing his innovative approach to blending genres and sounds.
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question_answer ANECDOTE
Reluctant Move to the UK
Dennis Bovell initially resisted moving to the UK from Barbados at age 12 due to other children's negative reports about the weather.
His father strategically brought him during the summer, making the transition less harsh, although he missed being barefoot.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Early Band Experiences
Bovell joined a band with three English boys as the lead guitarist, despite some disapproval from other Black youths for playing "pop music."
He embraced standing out.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Musical Upbringing
Bovell's family had a rich musical background; his grandfather taught music and his mother and her siblings could all read music.
Bovell learned guitar from his uncle after demonstrating he could sing the open tuning; he was allowed to play gospel or classical, but secular music was considered “the devil’s music”.
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"I wanted to be at the forefront of the beat that would storm the world." The renowned musician talks about how reggae became the sound of resistance in the UK.
How did reggae become the sound of resistance in the UK? In this RA Exchange, the influential Barbados-born guitarist, bass player and record producer Dennis Bovell talks about moving to South London aged 12 and navigating its tense racial and musical landscape. Through the music he wrote and produced, he responded directly to racist rhetoric and colonialist attitudes rocking the UK. After the arrival of the Empire Windrush ship in June 1948—which brought a generation of Caribbean people over to rebuild post-war Britain—the UK experienced new social pressures as the diaspora assimilated to their new lives. But London also became a melting pot of creative and cultural diversity. Reggae became resistance music, and artists like Bovell became bandleaders.
Bovell speaks with writer and musician Tony Nwachukwu about music as social commentary, especially in his reggae band Matumbi, which was intentionally provocative, aiming to challenge the status quo and give voice to the Black British experience through its lyrics, themes and messaging. Matumbi was critical in developing the British reggae sound, and Bovell went on to record other musical projects that were key in shaping the early days of reggae, dub and lover's rock.
He also reflects on his time engineering for artists in different scenes, like the German electronic duo Saâda Bonaire, the Japanese band Yellow Magic Orchestra and Ryuichi Sakamoto. Bovell's unique ability to bring together different musical styles at the peripheries of dub made him a highly sought-after collaborator with a knack for navigating delicate dynamics in the industry, especially for Black artists. Listen to the episode in full. -Chloe Lula
RA Exchange 