Our Yard

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Our Yard

Exploring Our Heritage through Clothting, Events, Podcasts and Film Screenings

16/12/2023

Take my money! 💵 🙏🏾 at the controls 👌🏾

05/10/2023

My brother 0115 Barbers supporting the ting!

Need a trim go check him 💪🏾

We starting to roll out the ‘Whats Immigration done for the UK?’ campaign again after a pause cuz or a jam packed summer season of events. keep them peeled for a city near you 👀

22/09/2023

x x .fm this Sunday - 9pm

In conversation with the Culture Clash King, The Rebel Dread - Don Letts.

08/09/2023

The first sound man of the UK

As mentioned in our recent interview with Lloyd Coxsone (link in bio) Duke Vin, hailed as the first person to build a soundsystem in the UK, playing a significant role in shaping the country's Sound System culture. In the late 1950s, Duke Vin, also known as Vincent George Forbes, introduced the concept of Jamaican-style soundsystems to the United Kingdom.

Before establishing his own soundsystem, Duke Vin worked with another influential figure in the Jamaican Sound System scene, Tom The Great Sebastian. This partnership helped him gain recognition and popularity in the emerging Sound System culture when he came over from Jamaica. They were known for their dynamic performances and ability to control crowds with their high-energy selections.

He brought the infectious sounds of Jamaican music to a wider audience in Britain. His soundsystem gatherings, often held in community halls and makeshift venues, introduced people to the vibrant rhythms of ska, rocksteady, and eventually reggae. These events became a cultural melting pot, where diverse communities came together to enjoy the music, dance, and exchange ideas. Duke Vin's soundsystem acted as a catalyst for cultural integration and unity.

One of the pivotal aspects of Sound System culture is the clash, where two soundsystems compete against each other in a musical battle. Duke Vin's soundsystem was no stranger to clashes, often pitting their selection against other prominent soundsystems of the time. Clashes with soundsystems such as Count Suckle's were legendary and added to Duke Vin's reputation as a formidable contender.

His contribution to UK Sound System culture and the wider music landscape is immeasurable. As the first person to build a soundsystem in the UK, he paved the way for future generations of DJs and sound engineers.

02/09/2023

Part 2 - Lloyd Coxsone Live @ Jamaican Independence Day

We bring you the second instalment of a legendary set from one of the greats at last years Jamaica Independence event!

check our recent interview and part 1 of his mix too via (link in bio)

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31/08/2023

What you know about the original SKA!?

Before the days of the Uk based Two Tone Ska in the late 70’s early 80’s there was the the original Ska from the 50’s.

In the 1950s, Jamaican Ska emerged as a vibrant musical genre, laying the foundation for future styles like rocksteady and reggae. Ska originated from the fusion of local mento and calypso music with influences from American R&B and jazz.

Coxsone Dodd played a pivotal role in ska's development through his label, Studio One. He recorded and produced influential ska artists, including The Skatalites, who were a collective of supremely talented musicians. The Skatalites, featuring legendary figures such as Tommy McCook and Don Drummond, laid the musical groundwork for ska with their instrumental prowess and dynamic arrangements.

Another crucial figure, Prince Buster, was a singer, producer, and record label owner. He embraced ska's energetic sound and created some of the genre's most notable hits. His recordings, like "Oh Carolina" and "Madness," showcased lively tempos, catchy melodies, and coarser lyrical themes.

Duke Reid, a prominent sound system operator, contributed to ska's development by promoting dancehall culture. His sound system, called Trojan, played ska records at parties and events, boosting the popularity of the genre. Artists like Derrick Morgan and Justin Hinds gained recognition through Reid's support and became key contributors to the ska movement.

Ska's infectious rhythms, characterized by its distinctive offbeat guitar and horn sections, captured the imagination of the Jamaican youth and quickly spread beyond the island's shores. Its joyful and danceable sound resonated with people, and Ska became a cultural expression of Jamaican identity.

While Ska was immensely popular, it underwent significant transformations in the 1960s, eventually evolving into rocksteady and later reggae. Rocksteady slowed down the tempo of Ska, emphasizing soulful vocals and more intricate bass lines. Reggae, with its iconic offbeat guitar strokes and socially conscious lyrics, continued the evolution of Jamaican music.

27/08/2023

Who founded Notting Hill Street Carnival in 1966?

After our recent post about the first Caribbean Carnival of 1959 founded by Claudia Jones we look at how it eventually expanded on to the streets of Notting Hill.

Rhaune Laslett, a fearless and passionate advocate for cultural inclusivity, organizing the first Notting Hill Street Festival, which had evolved from Claudia Jones' Caribbean carnival event in 1959 which celebrated Caribbean culture and combatted the racial tensions prevalent in the aftermath of the Notting Hill race riots after the death of Antiguan born Kelso Cochrane.

Inspired by Jones' successful initiative, Laslett recognized the potential to expand the carnival into a larger, outdoor event that could engage and unite the diverse communities residing in Notting Hill. She shared Jones' vision of countering prejudice and fostering harmony within a society undergoing significant demographic changes.

In 1966, Laslett took the reins and organized the first Notting Hill Street Festival. With a keen sense of community mobilization, she began rallying local residents, businesses, and cultural organizations, encouraging their participation in what would become a celebratory event like no other in London.

By bringing people together and providing a platform for cultural expressions, Laslett's festival not only bridged communities but also challenged stereotypes and fostered a spirit of unity among Londoners. The festival became a catalyst for wider changes in society, empowering marginalized communities, and helping to reshape public perceptions about race, identity, and tolerance.

Her legacy lives on through the annual Notting Hill Carnival, which remains one of the largest street festivals worldwide. Her pioneering spirit, visionary leadership, and commitment to multiculturalism continue to inspire generations to celebrate cultural diversity, challenge stereotypes, and strive for a more inclusive society.

21/08/2023

[NEW MIX] Lloyd Coxsone Live Pt.1 @ Our Yard x Mimm - Jamaican 60th Independence Day - 6/8/2022 (link in bio)

Last year we had the honour to welcome Lloyd Coxsone to our annual Jamaican Independence Day event.

He blessed us with 2 sets on the day, here is the first for your listening pleasure, was truly a special one Legendary Business

part 2 soon come 🇯🇲

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18/08/2023

Part 2 of Episode One : Foundations W Lloyd Coxsone OUT NOW via

We touch on the legends of the first UK Soundsystems that inspired him as he expanded the sound to the world , sound clashing in the Uk, the creation of Lovers Rock and becoming one of the forefathers to carry the sound to wider audiences internationally. (Link In Bio)

09/08/2023

Part One out tomorrow in partnership with

Chapter One : Foundations in conversation with Lloyd Coxsone

The Our Yard project is a 5 year project which explores the positive impact immigration has had on the UK through sound system culture

08/07/2023

Who was Tom The Great Sebastian?

Tom Wong aka Tom The Great Sebastian half Chinese-Jamaican half Afro-Jamaican, is widely regarded as one of the pioneers and influential figures in the Jamaican soundsystem culture. He played a significant role in shaping the early development of soundsystem music, which went on to become a cornerstone of Jamaican popular music while working along side inventor and engineer Hedley Jones who we spoke about in a previous post.

It was his involvement in the growing soundsystem scene that would define his legacy. He created along side Jones one of the first mobile Soundsystems equipped with powerful speakers, amplifiers, and turntables that would move through various neighborhoods, providing the community with entertainment.

Sebastian was among the first to introduce a more diverse range of music to the soundsystem culture. Unlike his contemporaries who primarily played American R&B and jazz records, Sebastian incorporated Jamaican mento, calypso, and later ska into his sets. This marked the beginning of the local music's integration into the soundsystem culture, setting the stage for the emergence of reggae later on.

Known for his impeccable taste in music and ability to read the crowd, Sebastian had a profound influence on other soundsystem operators. As his reputation grew, so did the demand for his services, and he enjoyed immense popularity throughout Jamaica. His soundsystem, "Tom The Great Sebastian," became legendary, known for its powerful sound and energetic performances.

Furthermore, Sebastian's impact went beyond the music itself. He was one of the first to develop and perfect the art of 'toasting,' a vocal style of live performance where the DJ or MC would speak and chant over instrumental versions of songs. Toasting would later evolve into the modern-day practice of MCing, and Sebastian's contributions to this form of expression helped shape the soundsystem culture.

20/06/2023

Who was Hedley Jones?

Hedley Jones was a Jamaican audio engineer and inventor who played a pivotal role in the development of sound system culture and modern music as we know it today. His contributions to the sound system culture of Jamaica and the wider world have had an immense impact that is still felt today.

Often credited with creating the first sound system, which he built in the late 1940s. It was a mobile unit that consisted of a record player, an amplifier, and a set of speakers that could be mounted on a truck. This innovation allowed music to be played at outdoor events like dance parties, and Jones soon found himself in high demand as a sound engineer.

Jones also invented the spring reverb system, which added a rich, atmospheric tone to sound systems that was previously unavailable. This innovation made dub music a staple of sound system culture, and it marked a turning point in the history of music production and sound engineering.

His work helped to create a new genre of music known as dub, which was characterized by its heavy use of echo, reverb, and other sound effects. The sound of dub music was unlike anything that had come before it, and it quickly gained popularity amongst Jamaican music lovers.

In addition to his technical innovations, Jones played a significant role in the spread of reggae and dub music to the wider world. He worked with some of Jamaica's most iconic artists, including Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Lee "Scratch" Perry, among others. Jones also built sound systems that were used to play music at large events, such as the 1962 Independence celebrations in Jamaica.

Overall, Jones' contributions to the development of sound system culture and modern music cannot be overstated. His technical innovations and collaborations with some of Jamaica's most iconic artists helped to shape the sound of reggae and dub music, which in turn inspired artists around the world. Without Jones' pioneering work, the sound system culture and music as we know it today would not be the same.

14/06/2023

Welcome to all our new followers 🫶🏾

Just want to say big up you! thank you to the 100s of new people who followed us over the last few days and to all the people who ordered their free sticker packs, we will be sending them out over the weekend! If you didn’t get one check the link in bio to grab your 🙌🏾

Over the next few weeks we will be sharing stories about some key people who shaped sound system culture in its formative years, also a special 75th anniversary Windrush t-shirt release and our annual JA Independence Day event announcement. 👌🏾

We also will be dropping our first interview with legendary Lloyd Coxsone of Coxsone Outernational soon after so stay lock and keep spreading those positive vibes 🙏🏾

08/06/2023

will explore the history of Uk Soundsystem Culture…

which is your favourite era?

> > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > to name a few

The Our Yard project will span over the next 5 years through interviews with key figures, clothing collections, events and film screenings

07/06/2023

Bootlegging Babylon - Time to change perceptions 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Unity is key!

Our Yard Soon Come…

28/01/2023

BTS Pt.1 for our latest set of interviews for the sound system research project

We explored DIY Culture with the legend

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x @philthblake x @new_art_exchange We pay homage to the Blues dances which happened in and around hyson Green flats back the 70s/80s with this 4 piece mural depicting the many elements that brought the dances together. The Food, the tunes, the sound, the selecta, the mc, the community. Blues Parties were a safe space for many in Caribbean Community as they would be refused entry to many clubs or have legitimate black owned establishments shut down by the police. A corner stone to the house parties we take for grated now. DIY culture in it purest form. Go check that at 📍 Buttercross Hyson Green, Notts (back of Asda) 🔊 @sinaisound - Mystic Flute 🎥 @thomascomery #soundsystem #soundsystemculture

Duke Reid Vs Coxsone Dodd by @marcusjosephsax The first of a few spoken word pieces by Marcus explaining the foundations of two greats who started it all. Sneak peak : Marcus is wearing a piece from our forthcoming ‘Chapter One : Foundation’ Clothing Collection coming in November . keep the peeled for this new collection designed by @hareshgardner #dukereid #studioone #coxsonedodd #soundsystem #soundsystemculture

💐 flowers to @walesbonner & @nicholas_daley for the constant inspiration 🙏🏾 taking things to different levels. talking @theofficialselfridges for @jamzsupernova selects with @charliebcuff & @richiebrave on the impact of our Caribbean community through the years 🎥 @jamzsupernova #windrush #windrushgeneration

Little snippet from last nights talk for @jamzsupernova selects @theofficialselfridges along side some truly inspirational individuals @charliebcuff & @richiebrave A honour and a blessing 🙏🏾 🎥 @itsjadapink

x @rinse.fm 🙌🏾 Monday 18th September - 4pm @natecoltrane presents @ouryarduk on @rinse.fm , an exploration into the positive impact of immigration through the chronological story of sound system culture from the 1970s to present day. For this first show we look at the music which created the foundation for years to come as the Windrush Generation settled in the UK. Digging through some classic Ska, Rocksteady, Dub & Reggae from legendary lables such as Studio One, Treasure Island & Trojan Records to name a few. Ba Ba Boom! #windrushgeneration #windrush #soundsystem #soundsystemculture

One was a Duke and the other was a Count… An little insight into Duke Vin & Count Suckle as to why their names and many others used use such words in their names. #soundsystem #soundsystemculture #windrush #windrushgeneration #dukevin #countsuckle #jamaica

Merch coming next month 👌🏾 This design called ‘The Duke’ inspired by legendary sound man Duke Reid will be apart of the ‘Foundations’ collection. More about his story soon 🙏🏾 🎥 @lvndlxrd_uk 🖼️ @hareshgardner

Out Now - Chapter One Foundations W/ Lloyd Coxsone Part One (Link In Bio) in partnership with @mixcloud we speak on him laying his foundations after immigrating from the West Indies to the UK in his teens, the challenges he faced like many others of the Windrush Generations,experiencing racism, police brutality and prejudice in many forms but still being able to elevate himself and others in the face of adversity. Part Two out next Thursday #soundsystem #soundsystemculture #windrush #windrushgeneration

Lloyd Coxsone 1980 Segment from a rare documentary on the closure of many black clubs in the 1980’s, the set backs and the resulting popularity of Blues Parties We had an in-depth conversation on this in Part One of our forthcoming interviews dropping this Thursday. #windrushgeneration #windrush #soundsystem #soundsystemculture

Chapter One : Foundations W/ Lloyd Coxsone of Coxsone Outernational Interview Coming Soon… For our first Our Yard chapter ‘Foundations’ we explore what it was like for a young Lloyd to venture from Jamaica and set roots in a strange cold land. The adversity and racism that met him when he arrived, the community he became apart of and how he powered through to become one of the first internationally touring sounds from the UK. What is Our Yard? Our Yard explores the positive impact immigration has had on the Uk, following Sound System culture through the decades with interviews, clothing collections, film screenings and events. 🎥 @lvndlxrd_uk & @msevenfive 🔈 Audio @tulip_congi 🎤 interview by @natecoltrane Welcome to Our Yard #windrush #windrushgeneration #immigration #soundsystemculture #soundsystem

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