No Bass Like Home: The Story of Lover’s Rock is screening this weekend, 6pm, Saturday 7 August at the Lexi Cinema.

This special screening pays tribute to local hero, iconic filmmaker and friend of the Lexi Menelik Shabazz, who passed away last month. It’s part of the No Bass Like Home Film Project, a celebration of Brent’s rich musical heritage as the UK home of reggae and Bass Culture. The season continues in September with titles such as Pressure, The Harder They Come, and Babylon.

Menelik Shabazz’s vital documentary explores the importance and legacy of Lover’s Rock, a genre of ‘romantic reggae’ that would come to have a huge impact on British popular culture in the 1970s and 80s against a backdrop of riots, racial tension and sound systems. Lover’s Rock allowed young people to experience intimacy and healing through dance- known as ‘scrubbing’- at parties and clubs. This dance provided a coping mechanism for what was happening on the streets. Lovers Rock developed into a successful sound with national UK hits and was influential to British bands (Police, Culture Club, UB40) These influences underline the impact the music was making in bridging the multi-cultural gap that polarized the times.

Special £5 tickets for Brent residents are supported by Brent 2020 Culture Fund.

No Bass Like Home is part of Brent 2020, London Borough of Culture programme exploring the stories, art and emotions that hold life in Brent together.