SOAPBOX: Musical gripes, rants and raves...

The article explores the underrepresentation and historical erasure of Black British musicians in British folk music, tracing the cultural exchanges within the British Empire and the origins of folk traditions linked to African heritage. It highlights the influence of African instruments like the halam on American folk music and the development of blackface minstrelsy, a genre that became popular in Britain despite its racist caricatures. The piece also discusses the scarcity of folk songs documenting Black British experiences in major archives, attributing this to selective collecting practices and broader historical omissions. Recent efforts by artists such as Angeline Morrison and recognition of figures like Davy Graham aim to reframe and acknowledge Black contributions to British folk music.