By Kennedy Cook

October 1st marked Black History Month in the United Kingdom, by celebrating and acknowledging Black people and their contributions to British society. Red Bull Music partnered with many local artists, producers, DJ’s & MC’s and celebrated talented Black art. Various artists displayed the influence they’ve had in the music industry, especially those with a presence in the UK. Similar to Black History Month in the United States, the holiday recognizes the achievements of the Black community in the UK and highlights their contributions to British culture and history. Red Bull highlighted tenured queer promoter nightlife aficionado DJ Carmen London, London-based DJ and creative Jess Ajose, garage producer DJ Q and British MC Dizzee Rascal.

 Carmen London is a well-known DJ in the queer nightlife scene who has recently evolved uses of digital spaces and platforms while in quarantine to provide her fans with assessable sounds and virtual parties in cyberspace. Jess Ajose is a multi-genre DJ with unique and personalized mixes. DJ Q is a successful producer and 1/3 of the trio TQD, a grime and garage group known for their experimental tracks that cross into various genres. He was featured in an episode of Red Bull Check Your DMs earlier this May; this series uncovers what it means to collaborate in the digital age. DJ Q joined forces with Japanese producer & rapper Tofubeats and Dutch/Sudanese Soul singer Gaidaa.

 Dizzee Rascal is a British MC, rapper, songwriter, and record producer known for being a pioneer of grime music. His work has been displayed in the 2016 Red Bull Music Academy. His work has incorporated elements of UK garage, bassline, British hip hop, and R&B. Each artist was born and raised in the United Kingdom;  DJ Carmen London, Jess Ajose, and DJ Q have always had a sense of pride and identity when it comes to their British roots and Blackness that each has aided in the creations of their sounds.