Caribbean Times: Brothers from BROTHER, 4th August 1989

About this item

This August 1989 issue of Caribbean Times highlights the launch of 'Beyond The 16th Parallel,' a rap record by BROTHER (Black Rhyme Organisation to Help Equal Rights), aimed at raising awareness about apartheid and Black British identity. Bernie Grant MP, chair of the Parliamentary Black Caucus, engaged with the movement, seeing it as a powerful tool for political and social expression among Black youth. The document reflects the intersection of Black British culture, activism, and international solidarity in the late 1980s.

Key points:
– Bernie Grant MP launched his career as a rap artist at the release event for 'Beyond The 16th Parallel.'
– BROTHER is a rap group formed to promote equal rights and raise awareness about apartheid and social issues affecting Black Britons.
– The record refers to the 16th parallel, symbolizing the division enforced by apartheid forces in Namibia and Angola.
– Dumisani from the African National Congress praised the record for energizing supporters and criticizing the Botha regime.
– The BROTHER movement marked a significant step in the evolution of Black British rap as a form of political and cultural expression.

This item connects Bernie Grant's political leadership with grassroots cultural activism, illustrating how Black British politicians supported emerging artistic forms to challenge apartheid and racial injustice internationally and domestically. It reflects the era's fusion of local government engagement, anti-racist solidarity, and internationalism exemplified by Grant and contemporaries.

Source note: The original text is transcribed from a scanned newspaper page; some OCR errors and slightly fragmented sentences occur but do not substantially affect the core message.