A stab vest worn by grime artist Stormzy at Glastonbury Festival has gone on public display as part of a landmark exhibition celebrating the rich history of black British music.
The striking piece, designed by anonymous street artist Banksy, has become one of the centrepiece artefacts in the exhibition, which brings together decades of cultural history through objects, costumes and memorabilia from some of the most iconic figures in British music.
Stormzy famously wore the Union Jack-emblazoned stab vest during his headline performance at Glastonbury in 2019, a moment widely regarded as a watershed moment for black British artists on the mainstream music stage. The performance, which addressed issues including knife crime and racial inequality, resonated deeply with audiences across the country.
The vest sits alongside a remarkable collection of items from legendary artists spanning multiple generations of black British musical achievement. Artefacts connected to Dame Shirley Bassey, the iconic Welsh-Nigerian singer whose career has spanned more than six decades, feature prominently in the display.
Items from soul and jazz singer Sade, one of the best-selling music artists of all time, are also included, as are pieces from Craig David, the Southampton-born R&B artist who rose to fame at the turn of the millennium and helped define the sound of early 2000s British music.
The exhibition represents a significant cultural moment, offering visitors a rare opportunity to trace the profound and lasting influence that black British artists have had on the nation's musical landscape. From classic pop and soul through to grime and R&B, the collection spans genres and generations.
Exhibitions of this nature are considered vital in preserving and honouring the contributions of black artists to British cultural identity, ensuring that their legacies are documented and celebrated for future generations to discover and appreciate.
