On July One 2023, International Reggae Day, Greensleeves Records, the iconic West London Reggae label, will see its blue plaque created in association with Nubian Jak Community Trust (NJCT) and Hammersmith & Fulham Council adorn the wall of TfL’s Shepherd’s Bush station. The plaque will be on the site of the famous record shop, which led to the founding of the record label in 1977. NJCT is the only commemorative plaque and sculpture scheme focused on memorialising the historic contribution of Black and minority ethnic people in Britain and beyond.
Founded by Chris Cracknell and Chris Sedgwick, Greensleeves is one of those labels that define a genre like Blue Note, Motown or Chess. It’s been Reggae central for fortysix years and has a catalogue of hits that outlines the history of the music during the period better than any other.
Over the years, Greensleeves has become synonymous with all the latest hits, artists and sound coming from Jamaica, especially Rub-A-Dub and Dancehall. Whilst other reggae labels courted the mainstream, Greensleeves began channelling the sound of Downtown Kingston and set out to arm every Reggae DJ in the UK and Europe with it. Artists who have released music on the label include Dr Alimantado, Augustus Pablo, Wailing Souls, Barrington Levy, Yellowman, Eek-A-Mouse, Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Freddie McGregor, Shabba Ranks, Bounty Killer, Red Rat, Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel and many more. Producers who worked have worked with the label include Henry ‘Junjo’ Lawes, Linval Thompson, King Jammy and Gussie Clarke.
The unveiling will take place close to the site of their Shepherd’s Bush record shop, where the label was launched in 1977. The Blue Plaque, which will be the 87th by the NJCT organisation, will be placed on the interior wall of TfL’s underground station and form part of Hammersmith & Fulham’s Black History Trail.
The ceremony will start at 11am on Shepherd’s Bush Green, to be followed by live music and guests hosted by Dr Jak of NJCT.