Richard Branson and Island Records boss urged to fund UK Black music exhibition

Petition calls on Virgin Records founder and Chris Blackwell to back venture after profiting from such music

The Virgin Records founder Richard Branson and the Island Records owner Chris Blackwell should financially support a permanent exhibition dedicated to Black British musical history, according to backers of a petition.

The petition, which has been signed by artists and musicians including George the Poet, Jazzie B and Sonia Boyce, calls for a new home that would recognise and celebrate African and Caribbean performances, recordings and “contributions to the evolution of genres that have reshaped British culture, while safeguarding rare artefacts, recordings, memorabilia, and untold stories for future generations”.