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The 6 Music Black Power Soundscape

Don Letts introduces a soundscape telling the story of the Black Power protest at the 1968 Olympics by 200m medallists Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

Don Letts introduces a soundscape telling the story of the potent Black Power protest at the 1968 Olympics by 200m medallists Tommie Smith and John Carlos.

Including inspirational music from Marvin Gaye, James Carr, James Brown, Sam Cooke and the Soul Stirrers, the Impressions, Mark Alexander, Solomon Burke, the Chambers Brothers, Mahalia Jackson, Nina Simone, Bill Withers, Jimi Hendrix and Elaine Brown mixed with archive footage of the Olympic Games and the voices of Smith and Carlos telling their story and the repercussions of their brave act.

Don also brings the story up to the modern day with the thoughts of American football star Colin Kaepernick, who, since 2016, has led the β€˜take a knee’ protests during the national anthem at American football games, in response to police brutality, continuing deprivation and discrimination.

This programme was first broadcast in October 2018 as part of the Black Power Season on 6 Music, 1Xtra and 5 Live, marking Black History Month and 50 years since Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised their gloved fists in their potent and provocative Black Power salute at the 1968 Mexico Olympics. Sadly, following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota during his arrest in 2020, the issues explored in the programme became headline news once again. We repeat this programme to mark the first anniversary of his tragic death.

1 hour

Last on

Wed 26 May 2021 01:00
ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music

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Music Played

  • Marvin Gaye

    ABRAHAM MARTIN & JOHN

    • MOTOWN CHARTBUSTERS VOL. 5.
    • MOTOWN.
    • 530-060 2.

  • James Carr

    FREEDOM TRAIN

    • THE COMPLETE GOLDWAX SINGLES - JAMES CARR.
    • KENT SOUL.
    • CDKEND-202.

  • James Brown

    SAY IT LOUD I'M BLACK AND PROUD

    • SEX MACHINE/THE VERY BEST OF JAMES BROWN.
    • 845828-2.

  • Sam Cooke & The Soul Stirrers

    JESUS WASH AWAY MY TROUBLES

    • IN THE BEGINNING.
    • ACE.
    • CDCHD-280.

  • COOKE, SAM WITH THE SOUL STIRRERS

    Farther Along

    • Sam Cooke with the Soul Stirrers.
    • Ace.
    • CDCHD-359.

  • Esther Marrow

    Things Ain't RIght

    • Sister Woman.
    • Fantasy.
    • 9414.

  • The Flames

    Stand Up And Be Counted

    • Stand Up and Be Counted: Soul, Funk and Jazz from a Revolutionary Era.
    • Harmless.
    • HURT-CD020.

  • THE IMPRESSIONS FEATURING CURTIS MAYFIELD

    We're A Winner

    • ALL THE BEST.
    • PICKWICK.
    • N/A-N/A.

  • The Alexander Review

    A Change Had Better Come

    • Latin Groove.
    • Charly.
    • CPCD 8084.

  • Solomon Burke

    I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel To Be Free)

    • Solomon Burke The Platinum Collection.
    • Warner.
    • 8122-79995-3.

  • The Chambers Brothers

    Time Has Come Today

    • Live.
    • Future Noise.
    • ACMCD 4046.

  • Mahalia Jackson

    The Lord's Prayer

    • Jazz on a Summer's Day.
    • Charly.
    • X686.

  • Nina Simone

    Revolution (Parts 1 And 2)

    • The Essential Nina Simone Volume 2.
    • RCA β€Ž- 07863 66428-2.
    • RCA β€Ž- 07863 66428-2.

  • Bill Withers

    LEAN ON ME

    • LEAN ON ME: THE COLLECTION.
    • SONY.
    • X-X.

  • George Fenton

    NEWSNIGHT THEME

    • 24-HOUR TELEVISION.
    • CARLIN.
    • CARLIN-138.

  • Jimi Hendrix

    STAR SPANGLED BANNER

    • Jimi Hendrix Woodstock.
    • Polydor.
    • 523384 2.

  • Elaine Brown

    Until We're Free

    • Listen Whitey! The Sights and Sounds of Black Power 1965-1975.
    • Light in the Attic Records.
    • n/a.

  • Marvin Gaye

    Abraham, Martin & John

  • James Carr

    Freedom Train

  • James Brown

    Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud)

  • Queen Esther Marrow

    Things Ain't Right

  • The Impressions

    We're A Winner

  • The Chambers Brothers

    Time Has Come Today

    • Milan.

  • Bill Withers

    Lean On Me

    • Nightlife II (Various Artists).
    • Solitaire Collection.

  • Jimi Hendrix

    Star Spangled Banner

    • Atlantic.

  • Sam Cooke

    A Change Is Gonna Come

    • Sam Cooke - The Man & His Music.
    • RCA.

  • Pete Wylie

    Sinful

    • Virgin.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 21 Oct 2018 13:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Tue 2 Jun 2020 12:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Wed 30 Dec 2020 03:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music
  • Wed 26 May 2021 01:00
    ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 6 Music

Featured in...

  • Black Power

    6 Music celebrates 50 years since the iconic black power salute at the 1968 Olympics.

  • Black History

    Afrofuturism, civil rights, Windrush and more