City Splash: A Vibrant Celebration of Black Music and Culture Continues to Flourish

Dalston, a neighbourhood Ben Ryan, founder of City Splash, describes as a "staunch" place to grow up, was instrumental in shaping his understanding of community through its rich Caribbean-led cultural infrastructure. Ryan fondly recalls the vibrant atmosphere of Saturday mornings on Ridley Road Market, where record shops would spill their sounds onto the bustling street. He remembers the unique ambiance of the café within Centerprise, a Black bookshop where his mother worked part-time. These formative experiences also included the legendary Hackney Downs "all-dayers," gatherings that united multiple generations with powerful sound systems in a euphoric, smoky haze. "That’s where we were at our best as a community," Ryan reflects, noting with a sense of loss that many of these shared spaces and collective rituals have gradually diminished over the past few decades. "The only time we actually fully get that now is [Notting Hill] Carnival," he adds, highlighting the enduring significance of this iconic event.

Origins Rooted in Loss and Legacy

City Splash has emerged directly from this sense of cultural erosion. It is a festival that not only pays homage to the enduring legacy of Notting Hill Carnival but also actively carves out new spaces for the ever-evolving sounds of Black music from across the globe. Now attracting a significant audience of 30,000 attendees to the verdant expanse of Brockwell Park in South London, the festival serves a dual purpose: preserving a vital cultural lineage while simultaneously pushing into new and exciting sonic territories. The musical spectrum at City Splash is vast, encompassing the percussive, bass-driven foundations of roots, reggae, dancehall, and dub, alongside the bright, contemporary energy of Afrobeats, jungle, garage, and amapiano. It stands as a resplendent celebration of Black music and movement in all its diverse forms.

An Event Producer, Not Just a Promoter

"I’m not just a promoter," Ryan asserts, clarifying his role. "In fact, I don’t ever call myself a promoter – I’m an event producer." This distinction is crucial and becomes evident in the depth of his involvement and the meticulous care with which City Splash has been conceptualized and executed. From the festival’s inception, Ryan has intentionally entrusted a dedicated stage each year to Cecil Reuben, a renowned Brixton promoter. Reuben’s programming predominantly features South London artists, a deliberate choice that underscores Ryan’s understanding that the individuals who build these cultural spaces profoundly influence the experience of the culture within them. This collaborative approach ensures authenticity and a deep connection to the communities being celebrated.

A Timeline of Growth and Impact

The genesis of City Splash can be traced back to a recognition of a void in the contemporary festival landscape. While established events often drew significant crowds, Ryan identified a lack of dedicated platforms that comprehensively showcased the breadth and depth of Black music genres, particularly those with roots in the Caribbean and African diasporas. The initial iterations of the festival, though smaller in scale, were driven by a clear vision: to create an immersive and authentic experience that reflected the diverse musical heritage that had shaped Ryan’s own upbringing.

Over the years, City Splash has seen remarkable growth. From its early days, the festival has consistently prioritized an inclusive and representative lineup, a commitment that has resonated with audiences and artists alike. The decision to hold the festival in Brockwell Park, a historically significant space for community gatherings in South London, further cemented its connection to the local cultural fabric. This strategic location has allowed the festival to become a focal point for celebrating Black culture in the capital.

The festival’s programming has evolved to mirror the dynamic nature of Black music. While honoring the foundational genres like reggae and dancehall, City Splash has also embraced and amplified newer sounds such as amapiano and Afrobeats, reflecting global trends and the evolving tastes of its audience. This forward-thinking approach has been key to its sustained relevance and appeal.

Championing Legacy Artists and Emerging Talent

Ben Ryan’s programming philosophy is deeply rooted in both cultural preservation and forward-thinking curation. He consciously seeks to bring back artists who have made significant contributions to Black music, providing them with a platform to connect with contemporary audiences. The lineup for the upcoming festival exemplifies this commitment. Beres Hammond, revered as the "King of Lovers Rock," is set to return to the UK after an eight-year hiatus, a significant event for his dedicated fanbase. He will be joined by other celebrated returning performers such as Chronixx and Capleton, artists whose music continues to inspire and resonate. "In these hard times, we need that strength from those artists," Ryan shares, emphasizing the therapeutic and empowering role music plays, especially during challenging periods.

This intentional programming extends beyond established names. City Splash is also dedicated to nurturing the next generation of talent. Through its artist development program, Rise Up, the festival provides crucial support for emerging artists from across the Caribbean. This initiative includes London residencies, invaluable industry mentorship, songwriting camps, and vital live performance opportunities, including a coveted slot at City Splash itself. "We’ve got a really exciting project coming in 2027," Ben reveals, "shining a spotlight on the dopest new artists coming from around the globe who are influenced by the culture." This forward-looking approach ensures that the festival remains a vital incubator for new sounds and perspectives within the Black music ecosystem.

Addressing Underrepresentation in the Industry

Ryan’s observations about the music industry are stark and form a critical part of the impetus behind City Splash. He reflects on his experiences promoting Black genres globally and attending reggae events across the UK and Europe, many of which were organized by predominantly white promoters for predominantly white audiences. "There wasn’t a large group of young Black people that were attending the reggae events, and that troubled me… I was like, man, I know we all love reggae, because when we’re at christenings, funerals, weddings and all-dayers, reggae plays loud, and everyone knows every word," he states, pinpointing a disconnect between the music’s cultural significance and its mainstream event presentation.

This concern extends to the broader festival landscape. "It’s a very white landscape in terms of the people behind the scenes and production when you get on a festival site, too," Ryan observes. "We have a responsibility and an opportunity here, especially in London. I like to see that reflected across the festival." This commitment to representation is evident in every facet of the City Splash operation. Notably, from its inception, the artist liaison team has been Black and female-led, a deliberate decision that Ryan highlights with pride. This intentionality ensures that the festival not only showcases Black artists but also fosters an inclusive and representative working environment behind the scenes.

Supporting Data and Industry Analysis

The growth of City Splash can be contextualized within broader trends in the music industry and cultural events. Data from industry reports consistently shows a rising global appetite for Afrobeats and other African diaspora music genres. For instance, in 2023, Afrobeats artists continued to break global streaming records and achieve significant chart success in major markets, indicating a sustained demand for this vibrant musical output. Similarly, the legacy of reggae and its subgenres continues to hold a strong global following, with established artists maintaining a dedicated fanbase.

City Splash’s success can also be attributed to its strategic positioning within the UK’s multicultural landscape. London, as a global hub for diasporic communities, provides a fertile ground for a festival that celebrates Black music and culture. The festival’s ability to draw 30,000 attendees signifies a substantial market demand for authentic, community-driven cultural experiences. Furthermore, the festival’s commitment to reinvesting in emerging talent through programs like Rise Up aligns with a growing trend in the music industry towards supporting artists from underrepresented backgrounds and fostering sustainable career pathways. This approach not only benefits the artists but also enriches the cultural landscape for years to come.

Broader Impact and Future Implications

City Splash is more than just a music festival; it is a vital piece of cultural infrastructure. By consciously creating spaces that are "for us, by us," the festival actively contributes to the preservation and evolution of Black music and culture. Its success has implications for how future cultural events are conceived and produced, emphasizing the importance of representation, community engagement, and artistic development.

The festival’s model of reinvesting resources back into the culture that sustains it—through initiatives like Rise Up—sets a powerful precedent. This approach ensures that the benefits of the festival’s success are not confined to a single event but are distributed throughout the artistic community, fostering a more robust and equitable ecosystem.

The impending project slated for 2027, which aims to highlight new global artists influenced by Black culture, signals City Splash’s ongoing commitment to innovation and its role as a tastemaker. This forward-looking vision ensures that the festival will continue to be a significant force in shaping the future of Black music and its global influence.

As the festival approaches another year of vibrant celebration, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of community and the profound impact of Black music. City Splash is not merely a continuation of past traditions; it is a dynamic and evolving entity, carrying forward the legacy of gatherings like the Hackney Downs all-dayers, and ensuring that these vital cultural expressions thrive in London and beyond for generations to come.

City Splash takes place on 25th May.