We Were Here: A History of Black People and Alternative Music

Stephanie Phillips’ book “We Were Here: A History of Black People and Alternative Music” explores why Black people are drawn to genres historically perceived as white. Phillips interviews various Black alternative music fans to understand their motivations. Ray Aggs, a guitarist in UK DIY punk bands, discovered indie music through Sleater-Kinney while isolated in rural Sussex. Hanif Abdurraqib grew up in a diverse Columbus neighbourhood where Black people introduced him to riot grrrl and underground bands. Ramdasha Bikceem adopted punk aesthetics after experiencing racism in a white suburb. Courtney Long found rock music’s emotional language more authentic than pop. Others cite anger, outsider mentality, or simply enjoying the music. Phillips concludes that Black people love alternative music for varied reasons and need not justify their presence in these spaces.

Original article published on The Quietus — AI-generated summary. Read the full article at the source.