HowBlack music and culture shaped our experiences during the first 18 months ofCOVID-19. As lockdowns restricted movement and social interactions, musicbecame a vital tool for countering the psychological impact of isolation,offering solace and connection. LikeLockdown Never Happened explores thesurge in music listening, the shift of concerts to online platforms, and theevolution of cultural events in a socially distanced world. It focuses oncontemporary Black music and its various expressions during this time,featuring notable phenomena such as Kano's Newham Talks, Steve McQueen'sBBC anthology Small Axe, the Verzuz DJ Battle series, TikTok's Don'tRush Challenge, and the radio station TheresNoSignal, among others. Byanalysing both chronological and kairotic time during the pandemic, the bookhighlights how Black joy and sonic Black geographies were essential to thecultural landscape of this era. It underscores the significance of Black musicand creative expression as they soundtracked and sustained us throughunprecedented challenges. Key themes and features include: -The role of Black music in combating isolation and boredom during lockdown- Adeep dive into significant cultural events and online experiences-Insights into how Black creativity shaped the pandemic narrative-Exploration of Black joy and cultural resilience in challenging timesThiscompelling analysis offers a fresh perspective on the importance of Blackculture in our collective response to the pandemic, making it a valuable readfor anyone interested in music, culture, and social history.
