Derek A. Bardowell on Fire Inna Dancehall
Dancehall isn't just music. It's a philosophy, a survival strategy, a rebellion in riddim.
Join Derek A. Bardowell—author of the Sunday Times and Financial Times Book of the Year No Win Race—as he presents Fire Inna Dancehall, an unapologetic tribute to the beauty and brutality of one of the most influential cultural movements of the past half-century.
From inner city Kingston to the council estates of London, the block parties of New York and the underground scenes of Panama and Puerto Rico, Derek will chart the rise, triumphs, controversies and tragedies of a space where joy and resistance share the same rhythm. Blending in-depth social history and journalistic insight with the movement's revolutionary spirit, he will explore how the pulse of dancehall speaks to migration, masculinity, faith, freedom and the ongoing fight for self-determination—and how a sound became a global language of liberation.
A comprehensive guide to the people, places and politics that shaped dancehall and an unapologetic tribute to Black creativity, this evening does not seek permission to sing but insists on being heard.
“Written with insight, clarity and truth, this is a love letter to dancehall and a vibrant lesson in social history… essential reading for anyone with an interest in music, culture, heritage, history, and their various intersections.” Jeffrey Boakye

The ‘stream and book’ package includes a unique ticket for the stream, and a copy of Fire Inna Dancehall (RRP £22) deliverable to any UK address.
The event will initially be broadcast on (DATE) at 6.30pm UK time. It will be available to view up to two weeks after the event has ended and can be accessed Worldwide. If you live in a time zone that does not suit the initial broadcast time you can watch it at any point after the initial showing for two weeks.
If you have any questions, please email [email protected].