Two Liverpool brothers, Patrick and Erroll Graham, are working to preserve the "hidden history" of the city's reggae sound system culture. In the 1970s and 80s, Toxteth was filled with the bass-heavy music of homemade sound systems, a movement that began in the UK in the 1950s.
The brothers, whose father was a pioneer of Merseyside’s reggae scene, are collaborating with Ashish Joshi, who is documenting the UK's sound system movement to preserve its legacy through a film. Erroll described sound systems as the "backbone" of Afro-Caribbean communities, likening them to their form of communication.
Joshi emphasised the influence of reggae sound systems on genres like drum and bass and rave, noting that much of this history is at risk of being forgotten. The project aims to ensure the memories of these systems endure.
Liverpool's Writing on The Wall is also highlighting the legacy of sound systems during Black History Month, seeking personal stories to preserve this cultural heritage.