Harlesden launches reggae walk of fame honoring local music pioneers

On International Reggae Day, 1 July, the Harlesden Walk of Music was inaugurated in north-west London to honor the area's reggae legacy. This initiative showcases plaques dedicated to musicians, producers, and record stores that contributed to Harlesden's reputation as the UK's reggae capital. Funded by £70,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, the project was developed by Harlesden Bassline in collaboration with Brent Council. It pays tribute to notable artists such as Janet Kay, Aswad, General Levy, and The Cimarons. Following World War Two, Harlesden attracted a significant Jamaican population, with iconic record shops like Orbitone and Jet Star Records. Cleon Roberts, a co-founder of the Walk, is the daughter of Sonny Roberts, who opened the UK's first black-owned recording studio in 1961.