T-shirt: The Funki Dred, Soul II Soul
Object
T shirt
Object number
2022.63
Physical Description
White t-shirt, size large. Printed text and image on front of the t-shirt showing a version of the Funki Dred logo - a cartoon of the DJ and producer Jazzie B - and a purple, black and yellow flag.
Object history
The Funki Dreds is the label created by sound system and music collective, Soul II Soul.
Associated Organisation
Associated Person
Material
Cotton
Dimension
Width: 825mm
Length: 710mm
Length: 710mm
Exhibition Label
From the exhibition 'Hackney's Got Style: Celebrating the History and Impact of African and Caribbean Fashion and Hair' [1 October 2019 to 21 March 2020]
The Funki Dred
Soul II Soul are one of Britain’s most successful ‘Black’ music acts. Their distinctive style became a symbol of club culture in the 1980s–1990s.
Starting as a sound system, they sold T-shirts bearing the group’s iconic logo; a cartoon of DJ and producer Jazzie B, who was born in Hackney.
Before selling records, they promoted their unique style, called the Funki Dred, through a chain of shops where they sold clothes and shoes.
“Soul II Soul has always been as much of a lifestyle statement as a musical movement. Our aim is to put some of that harmony into life with the philosophy of a happy face, a thumpin’ bass for a lovin’ race, and the clothing is coming from the same place as the music, allowing people to identify with these ideals 24/7.”
The Funki Dred
Soul II Soul are one of Britain’s most successful ‘Black’ music acts. Their distinctive style became a symbol of club culture in the 1980s–1990s.
Starting as a sound system, they sold T-shirts bearing the group’s iconic logo; a cartoon of DJ and producer Jazzie B, who was born in Hackney.
Before selling records, they promoted their unique style, called the Funki Dred, through a chain of shops where they sold clothes and shoes.
“Soul II Soul has always been as much of a lifestyle statement as a musical movement. Our aim is to put some of that harmony into life with the philosophy of a happy face, a thumpin’ bass for a lovin’ race, and the clothing is coming from the same place as the music, allowing people to identify with these ideals 24/7.”
On display?
No
Inscription
BEFORE MAN, GOD, OR TIME ITSELF THERE WAS RHYTHM THE ENDLESS HYPNOTIC RHYTHM THAT IS THE ROOT AND CORE OF LIFE ITSELF - FROM THIS CAME...
THE FUNKI DRED
(C) SOUL II SOUL 1988
soul II soul
Camden - London
THE FUNKI DRED
(C) SOUL II SOUL 1988
soul II soul
Camden - London