Black Slate

Black Slate are a British reggae band formed in 1974, made up of musicians from England, Jamaica, and Anguilla. In their early years, they built a strong reputation on the London reggae circuit, frequently backing Jamaican stars such as Dennis Brown, Delroy Wilson, and Ken Boothe during their UK tours. The band scored their first chart success in 1976 with the socially conscious single “Sticks Man,” an anti-mugging song that gained popularity not only in the UK but also in parts of Europe. By the late 1970s and early 1980s, Black Slate had established themselves as a major force in British reggae. They toured the UK in their own right for the first time in 1978, launched their own TCD label, and enjoyed wider commercial success when their Rastafarian anthem “Amigo” reached No. 9 on the UK Singles Chart in 1980. This period also saw the release of several albums, including Sirens in the City, along with the dub companion Ogima, and further studio albums released through the mid-1980s. After a long hiatus, Black Slate returned in the 2010s with new material and international touring. They released the World Citizen EP in 2013, followed by a UK, European, and later a US tour in 2014. Subsequent albums Now and Then (2014) and Peaceful Demonstration (2016) marked a creative revival, while founding member Anthony “Pure Silk” Brightly also gained recognition as a prolific producer. Today, Black Slate are remembered as pioneers of British reggae, blending social commentary with roots-driven sound and sustaining their legacy across decades.