02/11/2026
Join us on Sunday 8 November for A History of Black People and Alternative Music with feminist punk musician and journalist Stephanie Phillips.
In this Ethical Matters talk, Stephanie explores why Black people have continued to be drawn to alternative music despite their ongoing ostracisation from it by the white mainstream industry, and looks to the future with the Gen Z Black musicians experimenting with the boundaries of what punk, metal, hardcore and indie can be.
Swipe to learn more about some of the artists featured in this talk 🎶
“She was playing Rock’n’Roll way before anyone else”
Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s talent, fame, and influence remain largely obscure and barely known to most music fans today. Beginning her career in gospel churches across America, she became a pioneer who influenced everyone from Chuck Berry to Keith Richards and gaining the fitting nickname ‘The Godmother of Rock’n’Roll’
“Hendrix tapped into that ether that lies between dimensions”
Jimi Hendrix’s influence on rock and music in general is immeasurable. A pioneer of rock and psychedelia, Hendrix’s influence extended beyond rock as he brought elements of jazz, funk, and soul into his music. Since his death in 1970, countless musicians and artists have turned to Hendrix’s music for influence and direction.
“The most innovative and electrifying punk band the world had ever known”
Bad Brains are often cited as the ‘Godfathers of Hardcore Punk’ and a crucial bridge between punk and reggae. When early punk was seen as a predominantly white genre, Bad Brains took punk rock’s sped-up approach and put a few extra volts through it, helping to kickstart the hardcore movement in the 80’s and change the shape of music.
“I wanna be instamatic. I wanna be a frozen pea”
One of the most influencial punk musicians, Poly Styrene and her band X-Ray Spex not only aggressively shattered punk vocal norms but also influenced a generation of female artists including Kathleen Hanna to Yeah Yeah Yeah’s Karen O.
