Lovers Rock by Stafi Samaki
Last week, we watched Lovers Rock, which is the second part of Steve McQueen’s Small Axe series, that tells a fictional story of young love and music at a West London house party in 1980.
It was a spiritual experience that had us missing house parties very deeply. The vibes and aesthetic of it were warm and captivating in a way that made us nostalgic for life pre-corona. It beautifully captures a Blues party in the 1980s, which were typically improvised dance parties held in homes due to nightclubs being closed to non-white people.
Party Scene in ‘Lovers Rock’ | Art by Sharlene Oola
What is Lovers Rock?
Lovers Rock is a style of reggae music that formed in the mid-70s. It quickly became the soundtrack for the young Caribbean generation in South London during the 70s/80s. The film perfectly highlights the genre and the atmosphere it created in its' prime.
Amarah-Jae St Aubyn and Micheal Ward in ‘Lovers Rock’ | Art by Sharlene Oola
Blues Parties
At these parties, homeowners would clear rooms in their home and bring in large sound systems; which were usually home-made speaks put together by the crew who would play the music that consisted of a DJ, who communicated with the crowd and the selector, the person who chose the music.
History of Lovers Rock
Lovers Rock took musical inspiration from the last days of Rocksteady (a music genre that originated in Jamaica around 1966) and the early stages of reggae, from notable singers such as Ken Boothe and Johnny Nash.
The genre, which is a romantic, R&B-influenced form of reggae, became increasingly popular in the late '70s as mainstream roots of reggae stemmed from social protest and Rastafarian spirituality. The sound was rooted in the sound systems of South London as people connected with the meaning. This genre of music gave Black British women a chance to explore themselves musically and create in a male-dominated industry.
Lovers Rock has heavily influenced the generation today in the R&B, hip hop and pop music scenes since its peak in the 1960s-1980s. You can hear the influence in songs such as “Man Down” and “No Love Allowed” sang by Bajan singer Rihanna which incorporates a mixture of love and romance, politics and reggae-inspired sounds that have become an accepted trend in music.
Have a listen to some iconic Lovers Rock tunes!
KUNG FU FIGHTING by Carl Douglas
ROBIN HOOD by Cry Tuff & The Originals
SILLY GAMES by Janet Kay
KEEP IT LIKE IT IS by Louisa Mark
KUNTA KINTA DUB by The Revolutionaries
Useful Links:
Vintage Documentary: Blues Parties & the closure of Black night clubs in London, UK - 1980
Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock Is a Reggae-Filled Celebration of Black Joy: NYFF Review
Steve McQueen: 'Black people are weirdly missing from the narrative'
Sources:
BBC Media Centre. “Small Axe - Lovers Rock.” Bbc.co.uk, 16 Nov. 2020, www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/lovers-rock. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.
Blackett, L’Oréal. “Lovers Rock Music Is All About Freedom & Feeling Good.” Bustle, 21 Nov. 2020, www.bustle.com/entertainment/what-is-lovers-rock-music. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.
Craig, David. “Is Small Axe: Lovers Rock Based on a True Story?” Radio Times, 22 Nov. 2020, www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-11-22/small-axe-lovers-rock-true-story/. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.
Fogarty, Paul. “Lovers Rock Soundtrack: Explore the Songs and Music of Small Axe Episode 2.” HITC, 23 Nov. 2020, www.hitc.com/en-gb/2020/11/23/small-axe-lovers-rock-soundtrack-songs-music/. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.
TRAVIS, BEN. “The BBC’s Back in Time for Brixton Is Vital in the Year of Brexit.” Evening Standard, 21 Nov. 2016, www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/back-in-time-for-brixton-is-a-vital-look-at-west-indian-immigrant-experiences-in-the-year-of-brexit-a3401141.html. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.
Wikipedia. “Lovers Rock.” Wikipedia, 30 Oct. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lovers_rock. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.
Wikipedia 02. “Rocksteady.” Wikipedia, 15 Jan. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocksteady. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.
WORTHINGTON, CLINT. “Steve McQueen’s Lovers Rock Is a Reggae-Filled Celebration of Black Joy: NYFF Review.” Consequence of Sound, 17 Sept. 2020, consequenceofsound.net/2020/09/film-review-lovers-rock/. Accessed 27 Nov. 2020.