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Brixton's Blacker Dread jailed for two and a half years for money laundering

Gramsci said:
I don't care that Blacker Dread got done for money laundering. He's done his time and paid his dues to society. What irritates me about Blacker is the self aggrandisement. That's what I object to.
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I am curious to see what the film/TV programme has to say on this.
The way I read the case at the time it wasn't money laundering at all. Unless he is trying to make out his daughter/female relative who diverted the money from the company she worked for forced him to put it through his bank account, and he really had no idea what was going on.
 
CH1 said:
I am curious to see what the film/TV programme has to say on this.
The way I read the case at the time it wasn't money laundering at all. Unless he is trying to make out his daughter/female relative who diverted the money from the company she worked for forced him to put it through his bank account, and he really had no idea what was going on.
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He got done for money laundering. She made up fake invoices and put proceeds through several people bank accounts. Including Blacker. So he was done in law for allowing his bank account to process money got from criminal actions of another.
 
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I watched the film on TV just now, obviously, and thought as documentaries go it was a very full approach to the subject.

From a Brixton history point of view I found it interesting that the family originally had some connection with the Bible Truth Church of God - the tin shack in Hetherington Road (is it still there? - the church has had permission to redevelop for several years).

I thought the idea that grammar schools in Jamaica know how to educate Jamaican kids without labelling them as hyperactive, autistic or having ADHD was interesting. I guess Blacker and his son's mother can say that - but if establishment people came out with that here it would be crossing politically acceptable boundaries.

I remember going to a talk in St Matthews crypt back in about 1982 where the speaker, a white probation officer, brought along 3 of his teenage black clients, and they all discussed youth crime and punishment. The probation officer said one of the things that kept him involved in his job was that the clients always had some sense of optimism and thought there was a potential for them to eventually succeed.

There was a bit of that attitude in this film - but the most moving speech was from the young man at the end whose friend had been stabbed to death. Solidarity is great, but in the face of senseless murder might be futile.
 
I enjoyed it, good documentary. I didn't get the impression Blacker was making grandiose claims at all, some of the digs above seem a bit unnecessary. He seemed the same affable, larger than life character I've always experienced when buying records in his shop over the last 20 years. The schooling sentiments I've heard many times from Jamaican families, it was a proper slice of Brixton life.
His sidekick was good value, probably less so in his badman days.
Big up Blacker.

 
David Clapson said:
So far it's only saying he 'helped' set up Splash.
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It was the recent Guardian article where it says:


Brixton Splash, an annual non-profit street party – south London’s answer to the Notting Hill carnival – was founded by Blacker and Ros Griffiths. Blacker was involved for 10 years. “I just thought, this is going to be a tribute to my son, but it will be a silent tribute. There will be thousands of people coming for a big party but, as far as I’m concerned, they’ll be partying for my son.”
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Blacker Dread: the record store owner who became Brixton’s hero

No mention at all of Pat.
 
ringo said:
I enjoyed it, good documentary. I didn't get the impression Blacker was making grandiose claims at all, some of the digs above seem a bit unnecessary. He seemed the same affable, larger than life character I've always experienced when buying records in his shop over the last 20 years. The schooling sentiments I've heard many times from Jamaican families, it was a proper slice of Brixton life.
His sidekick was good value, probably less so in his badman days.
Big up Blacker.

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Agreed.....
 
I enjoyed it, good documentary. I didn't get the impression Blacker was making grandiose claims at all, some of the digs above seem a bit unnecessary. He seemed the same affable, larger than life character I've always experienced when buying records in his shop over the last 20 years. The schooling sentiments I've heard many times from Jamaican families, it was a proper slice of Brixton life.
His sidekick was good value, probably less so in his badman days.
Big up Blacker.
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The documentary is repeated tonight on BBC2 at 11.25 p.m.
 
I've always been led to believe that his first sentence was years ago when he was in a gang. And that the gang/prison thing is the reason he can mediate with the sort of people who don't normally engage with a mediator. Is that correct?
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That is one that you will have to ask those who have always led you to beleive it.
 
Mr Retro said:
The show is on again right now on BBC2
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Excuse the esoteric nature of this response. It's late (as Andrew Neil would say) and the Polish Lager has done it's work. I noted up-thread that Blacker's family originally had a connection with the Bible Truth Church of God in Hetherington Road. The film has some good vintage still photos of a family occasion at the church.

Just for fun was Googling away and found this recent posting of part of a service there (from 2016). I haven't been down Hetherington Road lately - it could be that the "tin tabernacle" building has already been demolished. The church had planning permission for a new building with church on the ground floor and (presumably) luxury flats above.

Like everything else in Brixton those quirky old features are being consigned to the dustbin of history.

The Youtube clip is the only interior view I've ever seen (towards the end)
Bible-Truth-Church-of-God6-460x259.jpg
 
I enjoyed it, good documentary. I didn't get the impression Blacker was making grandiose claims at all, some of the digs above seem a bit unnecessary. He seemed the same affable, larger than life character I've always experienced when buying records in his shop over the last 20 years. The schooling sentiments I've heard many times from Jamaican families, it was a proper slice of Brixton life.
His sidekick was good value, probably less so in his badman days.
Big up Blacker.
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As news reaches me of the legendary Lloyd Coxsone's displeasure with some of Blacker Dread's actions, the BBC give "Being Blacker" a further airing this evening on BBC2 at 11.15 p.m.
 
CH1 said:
Just for fun was Googling away and found this recent posting of part of a service there (from 2016). I haven't been down Hetherington Road lately - it could be that the "tin tabernacle" building has already been demolished. The church had planning permission for a new building with church on the ground floor and (presumably) luxury flats above.

Like everything else in Brixton those quirky old features are being consigned to the dustbin of history.
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It's still there but not sure if it's still in use. Certainly hasn't been redeveloped yet.
 
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Pickman's model said:
Doubtless tittle-tattle
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GarveyLives was telling the truth. There was a very long video (may have been YouTube) from Sir Lloyd taking significant umbrage at Blacker. Money handed over and no thanks received, copyright issues, general badness and serious disrespect etc. It's since disappeared so maybe things have cooled down a bit.
 
Blacker Dread is also one of those featured in the documentary "Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind" produced by award-winning Brixton journalist Nadine White.

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No doubt all those from Brixtonbuzz who attend the showings in London and nationwide will enjoy it.
 
GarveyLives said:
Blacker Dread is also one of those featured in the documentary "Barrel Children: The Families Windrush Left Behind" produced by award-winning Brixton journalist Nadine White.

FzKJvChWwAA9zpE
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It's not on at the Plex and the BCA showing is sold out.
Not sure how to book at the Ritzy anymore. This event is possibly free for members or possibly £5 for members.
On the otherhand for Silver Screen members (who one would have thought were most affetced it's supposed to be £7.30).

In any event using my membership details all I can get is "Member not qualified to take this recognition"
Fuck you then! So yes mate - I do hope they enjoy it.
I will have to make do with having seen Chevalier in Peckham for £4.99

PS Last week I took part in a Windrush presentation offering personal experience of Pearl's the Railton Road nightclub for gay Caribbean men 1976-1982 approx.
This was for the benefit of members of Lloyds Bank staff Rainbow Group.
Lloyds paid me - which was a nice change compared to all this pissing about with the Ritzy's supposed Community rôle!



GarveyLives said:
No doubt all those from Brixtonbuzz who attend the showings in London and nationwide will enjoy it.
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