Inspired by our alternative south London tube map foraging yesterday, we thought we’d share another local map we love. The South London Black Music Archive Map, highlighting local musical landmarks and designed by artist Barby Asante, was commissioned in 2012 by Peckham Space and also exhibited at Tate Modern.
The Underground-esque layout pinpoints destinations compiled from suggestions from the artist’s friends and family as well as musicians and music fans. During the exhibition, visitors were able to text and contribute their own local musical memories, which were added to the map.
The points on the map range from significant street corners, to venues and record shops – between them, all obscure and obvious alike. RnB and soul-heavy Porky’s Wine Bar in Streatham gets a mention, as does Battersea’s erstwhile ragga, reggae and dancehall spot, the Beaufoy Bar, while Brixton is there as a whole landmark in itself.
There is also a point on the map for Dub Vendor, the legendary Jamaican record store that closed in 2011 after 35 years in Clapham Junction (though it lives on as an online shop) as well as SW2’s Red Records, also sadly no more.
Also commemorated are West Norwood Snooker Hall, Camberwell’s Nigerian music mecca, Nollywood, and Resonance FM, based – did you know? – in Borough High Street.
The map also features a handy list of other local radio stations of note – including some of Below the River HQ favourites: Vibes FM, Colourful Radio, Rinse FM and the youth-run Reprezent. Check ’em out.
2 thoughts on “Oh, and have you seen this South London Black Music Map?”
Don’t think Dub Vendor closed due to riot damage, but because of the usual problems with trading conditions. As I recall, it came through unscathed, along with Waterstone’s – go figure 🙂 . Still doing great online business, too. But thanks all the same for a fascinating and memory-laden feature.