This story was originally published on Unbothered UK in honor of Black History Month in the UK... I know. The early noughties doesn’t feel that long ago, does it? Yet, as the 1990s have been gradually released from pop culture’s nostalgia grip, many have been heralding the early ’00s and its defining style and cultural impact (the best, worst and once forgotten). For Black British millennial women, the 2000s offer a time capsule to when young, Black, British female celebrities — from T4’s June Sarpong to songstress Jamelia — became much more visible, guiding us into early adulthood.
I was in my pre-teen bedroom with a portable stereo and a Nokia 3310, when the UK had been taken over by a wave of very Black and very British sounds that emerged in the late 90s and defined the noughties: UK garage, 2-step and grime. Powered by pirate radio stations, the music was addictive and created international stars out of Black British youngsters who grew up in areas we knew and could (finally) relate to; So Solid Crew, Dizze Rascal, Skepta and much more. The list goes on.
I was obsessed with the Black female artists that dominated the genre, Ms Dynamite (Boo! — if you know, you know), So Solid Crew’s Lisa Maffia, soul singers like Kele Le Roc and Shola Ama, and, before Alesha Dixon became an uber-polished reality TV show judge, we knew her as a singer and garage MC with the girl band Mis-Teeq. They wore their hair in slick-backed hair buns (using tubs of JAM! hard gel), with a long, GHD straightened side fringe. They predominantly wore streetwear or velour tracksuits, low-rise jeans and mini skirts, bandanas, bandeau crop tops, gold earrings and sovereign rings and helped define a whole generation of youth style. What. A. Time.
I longed to experience the legendary underground rave nights — and the fashion — that made the 2000s a defining moment in Black British youth culture. Looking back, there’s just something about this time that felt rebellious, undeniably cool and freeing, that now, as a thirty-something, are feelings I am clinging onto. It feels strange to view the 2000s as ‘history’ — but it is Black British history. From UK garage parties to carnival, here are some incredible rave photos that capture both the style and joy of the era. Three women, dressed to impress, dance in a UK garage rave.
2000Photo by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.A woman, wearing appropriate club attire, aka sunglasses indoors, dances solo in a UKG rave. Wait, is that a paycheck?
2006As always, the bigger the gold earrings, the better.
2009Photo by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.A young woman demonstrates her “good knees” at Notting Hill Carnival.
2002Photo by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.Four colourfully dressed women at Notting Hill Carnival. The slicked-down fringes bring back some happy memories.
2000Photo by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.A beautiful woman with thee hairstyle every Black hairstylist has done at least once.
2000Photo by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.Friends pose with matching hair and style for Notting Hill Carnival. Do two best friends still coordinate like this in 2022?
2000
Photo by Giles Moberly/PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.Woman lacing up tall snakeskin boots at a UK garage night.
2000sPhoto by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.Two women dancing at Notting Hill Carnival rocking braids, bumped ends and brown lipstick.
1999Photo by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.A couple dances in the rain at Notting Hill Carnival. Is it love or are they just dancing? A question that now dominates Black Twitter.
2002Photo by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.The slicked edges, the hoops, the crop tops — a noughties style starter pack.
2000sPhoto by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.You can almost hear the bass drop in this picture.
2000sPhoto by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.Cornrows at the front, and straight weave at the back, dominated noughties hair trends.
2000sPhoto by PYMCA/Universal Images Group/Getty Images.
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Photos Of Black British Girlhood In The 90s
