We used to have Black events and celebrations in Wales, especially in Cardiff and other port cities. Tigerbay Carnival and legendary clubs like Casablanca drew people from beyond Wales to the docks. But Black celebrations have always been seen as dangerous, from carnivals to grime music and drill, our culture is perceived as a risk and stifled, not just in Wales but across the UK. These obstacles are not faced by indie, rock and alt musical artists whose music is programmed and promoted while rappers, RnB, reggae, grime and other Music of Black Origin (MOBO) performers struggle to be platformed and recognised as part of the Welsh music scene.
“THERE WAS NO INTEREST IN PROMOTING MY MUSIC (REGGAE) HERE. I LITERALLY HAD TO TRAVEL TO JAMAICA TO CONNECT WITH AN AUDIENCE.”; “AS AN EVENT PLANNER, PROMOTER AND DJ IN WALES, SPEAKING TO MANAGERS, YOU KNOW YOU’RE NOT GETTING A SPOT. IT FEELS SEGREGATED. WE HAVEN’T BEEN WELCOMED INTO THE COMMERCIAL SCENE, I DON’T KNOW IF IT’S OUR MUSIC OR BECAUSE WE’RE BLACK.”
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