JME’s childhood Nintendo and Stormzy's Banksy vest feature in new V&A East Museum

Spanning painting, film, sound and fashion, The Music is Black: A British Story brings together more than than 200 objects that trace resistance and celebration – from the first ever stringed instruments through to figures including Dizzee Rascal, Stormzy and Little Simz. An immersive sound experience accompanies the exhibition which tracks the emergence of eight distinct Black British genres from 2 tone to lovers rock, Brit funk, jungle, drum & bass, trip hop, UK garage and grime.

Among the highlights are Skin's Daniel Pollitt 'Clit Rock' suit, and Stormzy's iconic Banksy-designed stab-proof vest [pictured above] – from their Glastonbury performances in 2019 and 2022 respectively – along with a guitar donated byJ oan Armtrading, an original sign for the Blue Note Club, an orange body-suit and helmet worn by Poly Styrene [pictured below], Shirley Bassey’s golden Bond dress, JME’s childhood Nintendo set-up, and the Comme des Garçons outfit worn by Little Simz for her 2023 Dazed cover shoot.

Over 50 photographs from the 1960s to the 2010s are also included with many on display in the exhibition for the first time. Dennis Morris’s early photographs of Bob Marley and Laura ‘Hyperfrank’ Brosnan’s print capturing Skepta’s family celebrating his 2016 Mercury Prize win are notable standouts.

The new museum aims to be a space with a local identity, and young people, creatives, and those living, working and studying in east London, have been heavily involved. "The inaugural exhibition fittingly celebrates the role of Black British music and the impact it has had across the globe," said The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan in a statement. "Following on from the successful opening of V&A East Storehouse, V&A East Museum is boosting East Bank’s cultural offering even further, helping to build a better London for everyone.”

The museum also includes two free permanent galleries titled "Why We Make" spotlight global culture with a topical lens with over 500 objects from the V&A’s permanent collection, including Molly Goddard’s pink tulle dress, made famous by Jodie Comer in Killing Eve, ballet costumes by Leigh Bowery, and a range of objects from Renaissance portraits and historic scent cases, to designs by Alexander McQueen and Vivienne Westwood.

The Music is Black: A British Story runs opens today and tickets start at £11 for students and under 26 year olds; standard tickets are £22.50 on a weekday and £24.50 on the weekend.