Harlesden’s influence on British reggae has been given a permanent place in the capital with the unveiling of the Harlesden Walk of Music, a cultural project recognising the people and businesses that helped make the north west London district one of the most important centres of reggae outside Jamaica.
The official launch was held on 1 July to coincide with International Reggae Day at the CAVA Centre of Excellence, the building formerly known as the Picture Palace. The occasion was hosted by broadcaster Daddy Ernie and actor Judith Jacob, bringing together musicians, families, local residents and leading figures from the music industry to celebrate the area’s rich musical heritage.
Among the guests were His Excellency Alexander Williams, Jamaica’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, and Brent Mayor Amer Agha, both of whom addressed the audience during the ceremony. Family members representing several of the artists being honoured also attended, including Yvonne Brown, widow of reggae icon Dennis Brown. Award winning actor and rapper Kano also supported the event through his Duppy White rum brand.
The Walk of Music has been created as a permanent public tribute to the musicians, producers, record companies and businesses that established Harlesden as a driving force behind the development of British reggae. Similar in concept to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the project celebrates the area’s contribution to Black British music through commemorative plaques installed across the neighbourhood.
This first group of honourees includes four artists whose recordings helped define reggae in Britain: Dennis Brown, General Levy, Janet Kay and Delroy Washington.
Three influential groups have also been recognised. They include Aswad, whose success brought British reggae to international audiences, The Cimarons, widely acknowledged as the first self contained reggae band to be formed in the United Kingdom, and Ruff Cutt UK, whose musicians have worked alongside many of reggae’s biggest names.
Recognition also extends to the businesses that built Harlesden’s thriving reggae scene. Trojan Records, Jet Star, Starlight Records and Hawkeye Records all receive plaques for their role in recording, distributing and promoting reggae music across Britain and internationally.
Among the individual pioneers honoured is Sonny Roberts, the Jamaican born producer who established Planetone, recognised as Britain’s first Black owned recording studio. His contribution is acknowledged alongside Orbitone Records, one of Harlesden’s best known recording studios, which became closely associated with the area’s musical identity.
The selection process combined industry expertise with public participation. While many recipients were chosen because of their lasting contribution to reggae and Black British music, local people also had the opportunity to nominate and support candidates through a public survey organised by Brent Council between 21 July and 14 September 2025.
The celebration also paid tribute to Cleveland “Popsy” Deer, co founder of Starlight Records, who died on 27 May before the official public unveiling. Deer played a central role in developing Starlight Records into one of Harlesden’s most respected record shops and labels, making it a destination for reggae fans, collectors and artists.
Ahead of the launch, Cleon Roberts, director and co founder of the Harlesden Bassline Project and daughter of Sonny Roberts, reflected on one of her final conversations with Deer. She revealed that he had been informed that Starlight Records would receive its own commemorative paving stone and was deeply moved by the recognition. Although illness prevented him from attending a private unveiling in March, he hoped members of his family would be there to witness the occasion. Cleon said he was thankful that Deer knew his life’s work had been honoured before his passing and described him as leaving “happy, grateful and proud.”
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The event also welcomed relatives of reggae legend Alton Ellis, further underlining the strong family connections that continue to shape Britain’s reggae community.
The Harlesden Walk of Music forms part of a wider cultural heritage programme delivered by the Harlesden Bassline Project, with support from Brent Council and funding provided through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund. The long term vision includes connecting the commemorative plaques with Harlesden’s historic record shops and the proposed Reggae Museum at the former Picture Palace, creating a lasting cultural trail through one of Britain’s most important musical neighbourhoods.
For decades, Harlesden has been the meeting point for artists, producers, record labels, sound systems and music lovers who helped carry Jamaican music into the mainstream of British culture. The Harlesden Walk of Music now ensures that the people and organisations behind that story have a permanent place in the community they helped shape.
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