Long based in Brent, Rasheed Araeen’s practice has been devoted to reassessing and rewriting histories. Through his artistic work and prolific writing over six decades, Araeen has developed insight into means of making and ways of thinking in a shifting colonial context. 

Rasheed Araeen’s 1978 essay ‘Preliminary Notes for a Black Manifesto’, was first published in his independent magazine Black Phoenix, the text interrogates the lack of support from arts institutions for the artists in the UK of Asian and African origins. More than forty years since publication, its questions remain as relevant as ever. 

Araeen’s 'Reading Room' (2016-ongoing), which has been gifted to Metroland Cultures, is featured at the visitors hub of the Brent Biennial 2022, In the House of My Love. 'Reading Room' consists of seating and table structures housing the first one hundred issues of 'Third Text’. The journal, established by Araeen in Brent in 1987, remains at the forefront of debates exploring art, culture and postcolonialism.

With thanks to Brent Libraries and Archives and Rasheed Araeen Studios.

Rasheed Araeen, Preliminary Notes For A Black Manifesto - Brent Biennial 2022

Listen to a soundscore of a collection of poems, affirmations and sounds produced by elemental harps, featuring “My soothing sounds” by Claudine; elemental tunings by Amanda, Therese and Ilyas; “Ahhh my voice can achieve it” by Claudine; and “Affirmation for Women” by Claudine. 

'Making the Room Sing' is a commission by artists Amanda Camenisch and Therese Westin developed in collaboration with a group of women from the Asian Women’s Resource Centre (AWRC) based in Harlesden, Brent.

'Making the Room Sing' – A sound offering

Cassette from the glasshouse at St. Raphael's garden.

Side B - 5 Mock Assembly:Advice From Chris

Side B - 6 Jack And Hannah - Lily's Reflections

Side B - 3 Measuring Up

Side B - 2  Sharing Memories And Writing

Side B - 1 Preparing The Windows

Side A - 2 Priya's Prompts

Side A - 1 Roy's Audio Description

Audio artworks created by the Metroland Young Associates of 2023 for their exhibition We Were Here.

Final Ghost - Helayna Lagos

No Sub Slow - 001 - Onosiokhue Yakubu

NewZones - Kerry Oamen

FAIRIES - Lada Kopytova

Radiomixdown - Lada Kopytova

Waking The Witch - Carmen Bratosin

Jailcall - Ishé Grant

MY LONDON

Saturday Morning - Safia Amarchih

Dr Monique Charles - author of 'Hallowed be thy Grime?' 

Brent 2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Archives

Brent 2020 - Dr Monique Charles - Fandom

Leighton Beckford - Reggae Fan 

No Bass Like Home Digital Reggae Archive

Brent 2020 - Leighton Beckford - Fandom

Caroline Williams - Realtalk Productions and Akabu, first UK female reggae band.

Brent 2020 No Bass like Home Reggae Digital Archive

Brent 2020 - Caroline Williams - Pioneering Artists

Diane Johnson - Brent Factor

Brent 2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Archives

Brent 2020 - Diane Johnson - Women In Reggae

Brent 2020 No Bass like Home Reggae Digital Archive

Hear from DJ Texas Ranger on her journey into reggae and the impact of reggae and black British music on Brent.

Brent 2020 - DJ Texas Ranger - Women In Reggae

Curtis Young - DJ Gussy Young Silver Star, The Beat 103.6 FM

Brent 2020 No Bass like Home Reggae Digital Archive

Brent 2020 - Curtis Young (Gussy Young Silver Star)- Sound Of The Underground

Michael Williams - Dread Broadcasting Corporation

Brent 2020 No Bass like Home Reggae Digital Archive

Brent 2020 - Michael Williams - DBC - Sound Of The Underground

Robin Catto - K2K radio and DJ for Reggae Heaven show

Brent 2020 No Bass like Home Reggae Digital Archive

Brent 2020 - Robin Catto - Sound Of The Underground

Brent 2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Reggae Archive

Emma Louise Bucknor - Former backing vocalist for Soul II Soul

Emma - Louise Bucknor - Women In Reggae

Brent 2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Reggae Archive 

Reggae pioneer Vivian Jones shares his journey into reggae and the impact of reggae on Brent

Vivian Jones - Pioneering Artist

Brent2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Reggae Archive

Hear from 'Popsy' from Starlight Records and his journey into reggae

Popsy (Starlight Records) Sound Of The Underground

Brent 2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Reggae Archive

Hear from reggae and jungle pioneer General Levy on his journey into reggae and reggae in Brent.

General Levy Pioneering Artists

Brent 2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Reggae Archive 

This recording was part of the Bass Rewind Session on the 12th February which took place at the Jamaican High Commission to coincide with Reggae Month. 

Hear from lovers rock legend Carroll Thompson and DJ / Producer Shy One,  share their connection to reggae. The event was hosted by Brent 2020 Community Advisor Patricia Wharton aka DJ Blaze

Carroll Thompson & Shy One Interview Bass Rewind 12 February 2020

Brent 2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Reggae Archive 

Hear from Sabrina Washington (former Mis Teeq) on her journey into reggae in Brent

Sabrina Washington - Pioneering Artists

Brent 2020 No Bass Like Home Digital Reggae Archive

Hear from DJ and Presenter Robbo Ranx on his journey into reggae and the impact on Brent

Robbo Ranx - Sound Of The Underground

BRENT 2020 DIGITAL REGGAE ARCHIVE

Daughter of the Late, Great Crown Prince of Reggae, Marla Brown shares her experience of reggae and the impact of reggae in Brent

Marla Brown - Pioneering Artists

BRENT 2020 NO BASS LIKE HOME DIGITAL REGGAE ARCHIVE 

Hear from actress and DJ Judith Jacobs on her journey into reggae

Judith Jacobs - Fandom

Metroland Cultures is an arts charity based in and serving the London Borough of Brent. Our vision is that Brent is known globally for its arts and culture, and its people and communities are recognised and celebrated for shaping it. Our mission is to build, share and support art and culture in Brent: supporting communities to amplify stories of Brent life, and working with artists to tell new stories.

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