South London police have been accused of racial profiling following the release of an audio that appears to confirm an attempted ban on bashment or dancehall music in a Croydon club. As reported by Noisey last month, Roy Seda, owner of the Dice Bar, claims to have been repeatedly warned against playing the Jamaican genre in his club because it attracts the “wrong type of clientele”. And while the reports have been strenuously denied by police, a new audio recording appears to confirm the pressure.
“You were told about this before Christmas. Why has it taken until now to decide now that you want to change the music?” says Sgt. Michael Emery, in the clip uncovered by the Croydon Advertiser. “You were advised [to change the music] because I was there and spoke to you about it and Darren [Rhodes, licensing officer] spoke to you about it.”
Ever since Blackboard Jungle — and it’s Rock around the Clock soundtrack — unleashed media reports of cinema seat slashing Teds in the 1950s, certain types of music have been invariably associated with forms of adolescent rebellion or criminality. However when the music in question belongs to a certain minority or community, moreover is central to that community’s identity, the issue goes beyond adolescent rebellion and potentially into something a lot more sinister. You can read more about the story over on the Croydon Adviser now.
Credits
Text Matthew Whitehouse
Photography Kake Pugh via Flickr