18 October 2024
The exhibition runs until November 2, offering a comprehensive look at the history of Brain Records
A new exhibition in London shines a spotlight on the groundbreaking Brain Records.
As part of Black History Month, Trackers and Breakbeats: Celebrating Brain Records' Underground Revolution is currently on display at The Stephen Lawrence Gallery, running until November 2. The exhibition is open from Tuesday to Saturday, with visiting hours between 11am and 5pm, and closing earlier at 4pm on Saturdays. It delves into the label’s trailblazing integration of 8-bit technology, its profound influence on UK hardcore and jungle music and highlights the work of its founder, Bizzy B.
Brain Records, founded by Bizzy B in 1992, played an essential role in shaping the UK jungle and breakbeat hardcore scenes. Emerging from Leytonstone in East London, the label was renowned for its experimental use of 8-bit technology and pioneering integration of heavy breakbeats with ragga vocal samples. The label became a critical force in the underground music scene and its raw, unfiltered sound—heavily influenced by house and techno—helped forge the foundations of jungle music.
The Stephen Lawrence Gallery, located in the heart of Greenwich at the University of Greenwich campus, has become a key player in promoting emerging voices in contemporary art. Established to honour the legacy of Stephen Lawrence, the gallery offers a diverse range of exhibitions that often spotlight young, innovative practitioners across multiple disciplines, including visual arts, design and architecture. With six curated exhibitions annually, the gallery creates a space for dialogue and exploration through its accompanying conferences and public workshops. It serves as a dynamic cultural hub for both the academic community and the public.
Find out more about the exhibition here.
