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Harlesden's Reggae Roots Honored with Walk of Fame
4 Jul
Summary
- A new walk of fame celebrates Harlesden's reggae heritage.
- Discs honor musicians, producers, and record shops that shaped the scene.
- The project launched on International Reggae Day, July 1, 2026.
A new initiative, the Harlesden Walk of Music, has been launched in north-west London to celebrate the area's significant reggae heritage. This walk of fame, featuring commemorative discs, pays tribute to the artists, producers, and record shops that established Harlesden as the United Kingdom's reggae capital, a status it gained following the arrival of the Windrush generation.
The project was conceived by the community group Harlesden Bassline and supported by Brent Council, utilizing £70,000 in funding. It officially opened on International Reggae Day, July 1, 2026, recognizing figures such as Janet Kay, Aswad, General Levy, and The Cimarons. Harlesden became a hub for reggae, ska, dub, and lovers rock due to its large Jamaican community and influential establishments like Orbitone and Jet Star Records.
Organizers highlight that this project is vital for preserving musical history. Cleon Roberts, co-founder of The Harlesden Walk of Music, noted the challenges faced by early black musicians in establishing recording facilities, emphasizing the foundational work of her father, Sonny Roberts, who opened Britain's first black-owned recording studio. This walk serves to document and honor that legacy for posterity.
