Overview
- The new east London museum launched with a celebrity preview of The Music Is Black, drawing guests such as Clara Amfo, Beverley Knight and US rapper Eve at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
- The exhibition traces 125 years of Black British music and its cultural impact, presenting more than 200 objects across fashion, film, visual art and sound through January 2027.
- The gallery is split into two linked sections that move from African roots and transatlantic forms like jazz and reggae to distinctly British genres including grime, jungle and lover’s rock.
- Visitors receive location-aware audio headsets for a personal sound mix, with displays that highlight DIY innovation such as dub legend Metro’s custom pre‑amp and JME’s Nintendo console used for early grime production.
- V&A East adds a sixth site to the V&A network and will host further shows, including two permanent Why We Make galleries that explore how people design and build the things they use.