Black on Black sounds

Music, Migration, and the ‘NU-K Blak’ identity formation in early 21st century Britain

Abstract

Examining literature on the under researched areas of Afrobeats and African migration to Britain, this article identifies significant internal shifts in the ethnic diversity of Black Britain —i.e., from Caribbean (predominantly Jamaican) to West African (Nigerian, Ghanaian) (ONS 2011). Interpreting literature and applying to the British context, it highlights how Afrobeats reshapes Blackness in Britain, particularly the incorporation of desirable Africanness through Afrobeats music. It argues that demographic and musical shifts in Britain result in a renegotiation of the Caribbean and US dominant 20^th century Black Britishness — ‘UK Blak’ identity (as identified by Bradley 2013, Gilroy 1993 & Palmer 2011). It proposes a new 21^st century ‘NU-K Blak’ identity that incorporates West African culture and aesthetics. The article contextualises and builds upon limited research on Afrobeats, Black British youth and their musical identities and elucidates the significance of migration, London and West African values to Afrobeats’ commercial success.