On 2nd February West Indian cricket legend Gary Sobers is knighted.

Arthur Ashe becomes the first black man to win the Men's singles in Wimbledon at the age of 31.

The Ethiopian King Haile Selassie dies at the age of 83. The Rastafarian community are in shock as they believe he is the messiah. They do not believe he is dead and think it's a trick by the media to bring down their faith.

The National Front rallies in London against Europe.

Lenny Henry makes his television debut winning the New Faces talent competition by doing stand-up comedy impersonations.

Black film director Horace Ov releases his groundbreaking film Pressure about a West Indian family leaving Trinidad and starting a new life in the UK. It highlights the struggles of their teenage son who tries to fit in but faces racism and its effects. It becomes recognised as the first British feature film to be made by a black director.

Singles:
• Kung Fu Fighting - Carl Douglas
• Stir It Up - Bob Marley

Singer, actor, black activist Paul Robeson dies at the age of 78. His 11 films included Body And Soul, Jericho and Proud Valley.

Alex Hayley's book Roots is published and becomes one of the most important books of all time in black history. It receives many awards including the National Book Award and a special Pulitzer Prize for making an important contribution to the literature of slavery.

After more than ten peaceful years of Notting Hill Carnival, all hell breaks loose after police tried to arrest a pickpocket. More than 100 police officers had to be taken to hospital and about 60 carnival-goers also needed medical treatment after the clashes, which led to the arrest of at least 66 people.

British band Aswad is signed to Island Records. The band was among the first homegrown acts to prove that reggae music could successfully take root in Europe. Their debut release, Back to Africa hit the No 1 slot in the UK reggae charts.

The leader of the South Africa's black consciousness movement Steve Biko dies in police custody after being arrested and detained under the Terrorism Act. His death causes outrage in South Africa and almost immediately doubt is cast over the alleged cause of his death. His funeral is attended by more than 15,000 mourners. Thousands more are barred from going by security forces. Steve Biko's contribution to the fight for freedom from apartheid is often placed as second only to Nelson Mandela's.

The US TV premiere of Alex Haley's Pulitzer Prize-winning Roots draws an audience of 130 million. The powerful story, tracing Haley's family back to the days of slavery, was the most-watched miniseries of all time.

Soulful house pioneer Larry Levan begins DJing at the Paradise Garage club in New York City. The legendary club and the music played there go on to form the basis of UK and US garage.

In the UK, Free by Deniece Williams hits the top of the charts and Stevie Wonder's Sir Duke reaches no.2.

Bob Marley and the Wailers released their tenth album, the classic Exodus, on Tuff Gong Records. It featured tracks such as Jamming. Waiting In Vain, People Get Ready and Natural Mystic.

Singles:
• Ma Baker - Boney M

Viv Anderson became the first black British footballer to play for England in an international tournament against Czechoslovakia.

South African white activist Donald Woods arrived in London after fleeing South Africa. He had been placed under house arrest by the National Party government and banned from working, travelling, writing or speaking publicly for five years.

The Euro-disco group Boney M was at the height of its popularity with the release of their double A-sided single Rivers Of Babylon and Brown Girl In The Ring. It became the second-biggest selling single in UK chart history. The album, Nightflight To Venus, also topped the UK charts. Rasputin was another UK top ten hit, followed by the seasonal chart-topper Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord, which became the fifth-biggest selling single in UK history.

Albums:
• Social Living - Burning Spear
Singles:
• Rivers Of Babylon - Boney M
• Mary's Boy Child/Oh My Lord - Boney M
• Rasputin - Boney M
• Last Dance - Donna Summer

There are riots in Southall between demonstrators and police after protesting against a National Front campaign meeting.

The Caribbean islands of St Lucia and St Vincent reclaimed their independence from Great Britain.

Janet Kay releases the hit Silly Games which reached No 2 in the UK charts. She becomes the first British female to have a reggae song in the charts.

Singles:
• Silly Games - Janet Kay
• I Don't Want To Loose You - Kandidate

Nationalist leader Robert Mugabe won a sweeping election victory to become Zimbabwe's first black prime minister.

Unemployment in the UK had reached almost two million.

The mighty Jesse Owens died. The quadruple gold medal winner at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin made him one of the best remembered of all Olympic athletes.

Bob Marley and the Wailers returned to Africa as official guests of the State. They performed at Zimbabwe's Independence festival. Marley called the event the "greatest honour of my life". This trip highlighted the Wailers importance in the Developing World.

In London, the first ever black music radio station, Dread Broadcasting Corporation, began. Initially set up as a reggae station on a medium wave transmitter, it quickly grew and became an FM station playing music like soca, soul, funk and African flavours. The team of DJs included the likes of Neneh Cherry and BBC London's Ranking Miss P.

Albums:
• Uprising - Bob Marley and the Wailers
Singles:
• Private Life - Grace Jones

Imagination debuts on Top Of The Pops with their hit single Body Talk. The BBC is inundated with telephone calls about their performance.

Bob Marley died from cancer at the age of 36. Bob was reggae's greatest icon and his death proved a huge loss both to the music industry and his millions of fans worldwide.

In the UK, 13 young black people are killed in a fire during a birthday party celebration in Deptford, London. It's suspected that racists deliberately started the blaze - a motive the police quickly dismissed. As a result thousands took part in a series of demonstrations to protest against the police.

Tensions between the police and black people grew across the country culminating in riots in Brixton, Toxteth, Birmingham, Preston and Hull. As a result, the season is labelled The Summer of Unrest. A report by Lord Scarmen later concluded that much of the troubles were caused by poverty and racial discrimination.

Moira Stuart became the BBC's first black woman newsreader.

Albums:
• Chances Are - Bob Marley and the Wailers
Singles:
• Ghost Town - Specials

The year marks the 25th anniversary of one of America's most important civil rights events. Back in 1957, following the de-segregation of schools in Arkansas State, nine black pupils had to be escorted into Little Rock Central High School by more than 1,000 armed guards to protect them from white separatists.

Alice Walker's groundbreaking book The Colour Purple was released about a poor black girl named Celie. It was a remarkable novel because it was written entirely in the form of her letters. These tell how she suffers at the hand of her father and then husband. The novel went on to win the prestigious Pulitzer prize in 1983.

Channel 4 aired for the first time with a radically different structure from the three existing channels. It had a remit to cater for youth and minority groups. The government also gave the go ahead for satellite television.

Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five released The Message, the first successful hip hop track to push rap from novelty songs into social commentary.

It was a big year for reggae, with the release of Gregory Isaac's classic Night Nurse. The British reggae scene reached new heights with Birmingham's new teenage group Musical Youth. They released their debut single Pass the Dutchie which hit No 1 in the UK charts, selling more than four million copies.

UK veteran artist and producer Eddy Grant released his most popular album Killer on the Rampage which became a hit on both sides off the Atlantic. His release I Don't Wanna Dance also hit No 1 in the UK charts.

Albums:
• In The Heat Of The Night - Imagination

Singles:
• Music and Lights - Imagination
• Mama Used To Say - Junior
• Intuition - Linx
• Just An Illusion - Imagination

No Problem! begins on Channel Four. As well as being Channel Four's first UK black sitcom it was also their first British-made sitcom. Its cast were members of the Black Theatre Co-operative which staged plays and included Judith Jacob and Victor Romero Evans. Set in Willesden Green, it was about the grown up Powell children after their parents had returned to Jamaica. The comedy dealt with their lives and ambitions from modelling to running a pirate radio station.

The famine in Ethopia prompted Bob Geldolf to form Band Aid and release Do They Know it's Christmas. The proceeds of the UK No 1 single went to feed the starving people in Africa.

Bishop Desmond Tutu won the Nobel peace prize. The South African Anglican General-Secretary was awarded it in recognition of his non-violent opposition to the oppressive apartheid regime.

The UK's Daley Thompson became only the second competitor in history to win the decathlon at two Olympic Games, winning gold medals in the 1980 and 1984.

Maxi Priest and Paul Robinson produced the first UK reggae track to reach No 1 in Jamaica, Papa Levi from Saxon Sound's Mi God Mi King.

Albums:
• Legend: Best of Bob Marley and the Wailers - Bob Marley and the Wailers
• Diamond Life - Sade

Singles:
• Smooth Operator - Sade
• Your Love Is King - Sade
Grammy awards:
• Caribbean Queen - Billy Ocean
• Jump (For My Love) - Pointer Sisters

In the UK it was a year of racial unrest. Riots broke out in the Broadwater Farm estate in Tottenham, triggered by the death of Cynthia Jarrett. She collapsed after four policemen burst into her home on a raid. PC Blakelock was murdered during the riot by a machete-wielding gang. His colleague PC Richard Coombes was also attacked and never returned to the force.

There were also riots in Peckham, Brixton, Birmingham, Coventry, Bristol, Liverpool and Wolverhampton. The Brixton riots broke out after police accidentally shot and injured a suspect's mother in her own bed. The Liverpool disturbances were triggered by the court case of four men accused of a stabbing.

The South African government repealed Apartheid laws that outlawed inter-racial marriage or sexual relations.

Muhammad Ajeeb became the UK's first black Lord Mayor. He was installed as Lord Mayor of Bradford.

Bob Geldof organised Live Aid: two massive concerts to raise money for starving people in Ethopia. Two massive events were held in London and Philadelphia and raised up to £50 million. US artists including Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Tina Turner and Stevie Wonder recorded the song We Are The World for charity. Released under the name USA For Africa, the single was a huge hit. The accompanying album sold three million copies and the project raised $50 million for families in Africa.

Bernie Grant was appointed as Britain's first black council leader in Haringay.

The first fully digital reggae single, Wayne Smith's Under Me Sleng Teng, was recorded at Prince Jammy's studio. It marked the beginning of ragga style reggae.

Smiley Culture released his follow up to Cockney Translations the top 20 hit Police Officer.

Loose Ends reached No 1 in the US RnB charts with Hangin' on a String.

The UK's Five Star release their debut album Luxury of Life scoring two chart hits and receiving a good response from both the UK and US.

Albums:
• Luxury of Life - Five Star

Singles:
• Hangin' on a String - Loose Ends
• Police Officer - Smiley Culture

Grammy awards:
• Sade - (Best New Artist)

Billy Ocean was born in the Caribbean but moved to the UK where he worked for a car manufacturer by day and sang in the clubs by night. By 1986 his music career had taken off in the US as he released his biggest hit. Taken from the soundtrack to the film Jewel Of The Nile, the single When the Going Gets Tough the Tough Gets Going took Ocean to global fame.

Albums:
• Journey To The Urge Within - Courtney Pine

On New Year's Eve Prime Minister Robert Mugabe was formally installed as Zimbabwe's first executive President. He would continue to exercise the powers of Prime Minister, but the post was abolished. It marked the change over in Zimbabwe from a parliamentary style of government to a presidential one.

Paul Gilroy released his book There Ain't No Black in the Union Jack.

Reggae legend and Bob Marley collaborator Peter Tosh was murdered in his own home by an affiliate demanding money. Dennis Lobban was convicted of his murder.

Danny Rampling launched Shoom, one of the first club nights to play early house music. It has since been heralded as one of the key clubs to take the black music of Chicago underground and kick start UK club culture.

Albums:
• Introducing the Hardline... - Terence Trent D'Arby

Toni Morrison won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel Beloved which was later adapted into a film starring Oprah Winfrey and the UK's Thandie Newton.

At age 18 Naomi Campbell became the first black female to grace the cover of French Vogue. It helped catapult her to supermodel status.

This was the year the acid house movement exploded in the UK. People of all races and backgrounds found themselves raving together all over the country, at huge parties like Genesis, Biology and Sunrise.

There's an explosion of UK talent with the music collective known as Soul II Soul releasing the street smash, Fairplay, that sows the seeds for their later commercial success.

Singles:
• Fairplay - Soul II Soul
• Buffalo Stance - Neneh Cherry
• Get Outta My Dreams (Get Into My Car) - Billy Ocean
Grammy awards:
• Introducing The Hardline - Terence Trent D'Arby

This was the year of the Funki Dred with high twists and shaved dreadlocks popularised by Soul II Soul's Jazzie B. Afro-centricity was in, with Kente clothing, African leather medallions and the colours red, black, yellow and green.

Channel 4 broadcast Desmond's. This comedy about a black British family appealed to a mainstream audience and was also popular in the Caribbean and US where it was broadcast on Black Entertainment Television.

Soul II Soul reached the No.1 spot in the UK with Back to Life.

Mica Paris released her debut album So Good, which went platinum.

Albums:
• The Raw And The Cooked - Fine Young Cannibals
• So Good - Mica Paris
• Like It Is - Imagination
• Club Classics Vol 1 - Soul II Soul

Singles:
• Keep On Movin - Soul II Soul
• Back to Life - Soul II Soul

Grammy awards:
• Back to Life - Soul II Soul
• African Dance - Soul II Soul

Nelson Mandela was released from prison in South Africa following the relaxation of apartheid laws. He'd served 27 years after being convicted of treason in 1964. When Mandela appeared at the prison gates with his wife Winnie, people danced in the streets and the world celebrated alongside them.

Later that year Mandela's ANC party suspended its 30 year old armed struggle against the country's minority white government. In return, President FW de Klerk promised to free political prisoners and consider the repeal of security legislation. The end of the oppressive apartheid regime had begun.

In Jamaica, the first radio station devoted to playing local music begins broadcasting. Irie FM becomes the Island's most listened to station ever.

The British runner Diane Modahl wins the 800m gold medal at the Commonwealth Games. She was the British 800m champion six times.

UK's Nigel Benn won the WBO middleweight title beating American Doug DeWitt in Atlantic City. He was the first Briton to win the title since Alan Minter in 1980 but lost it later that year to Chris Eubank.

A tribute concert hosted by Denzil Washington and Lenny Henry is held at Wembley to celebrate Mandela's release and is later viewed by one billion people worldwide. It includes performances by Aswad, Tracy Chapman, Anita Baker and Soul II Soul.

Albums:
• Bonafide - Maxi Priest

Bill Morris was elected the first black leader of a British trade union. Morris took up the post of General Secretary of the Transport & General Workers' Union.

The cult youth music programme Dance Energy presented by Normski launches on BBC2 as part of the Def II strand.

Nigerian author Ben Okri won the prestigious annual Booker prize for his novel, The Famished Road, a story of Nigerian village life at the bottom of the ladder.

The Ministry of Sound club opened in south London. As raves moved from fields and warehouses to licensed venues, it would be the first of the 1990s global superclubs. Over the next decade it held key house, garage, RnB and jungle nights like Rulin, Smoove and AWOL.

Rave was in full swing and DJs create more complicated breakbeats. The labels Kickin, Shut Up & Dance and Reinforced Records are set up and tracks like Mr Kirk's Nightmare by 4 Hero and 2 Bad Mices Bomb Scare form the cornerstone of the future jungle scene.

Also in the UK the London Posse release their critically acclaimed album, Gangster Chronicle, and Hijack become the first British rap group to be signed to a US label - Ice T's Rhyme Synidicate.

Albums:
• Road To Freedom - Young Disciples
• Gangster Chronicle - London Posse
Singles:
• There's Nothing Like This - Omar

Dr. Mae Carol Jemison became the first black female astronaut in space. She carried out experiments with the rest of the crew, in preparation for the construction of the International Space Station.

In a referendum, white South Africans voted overwhelmingly in favour of continuing negotiations to end white minority rule. It was set against a background of mounting violence.

Spike Lees film Malcolm X premiered in New York. Denzel Washington earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of the black civil rights leader assassinated in 1965. The film sparked a fashion trend of clothes decorated with the letter X.

A wave of new black fiction in the UK is kick-started by Victor Headley's Yardie. This novel, a raw and gritty tale about a drug baron, helped to launch The X Press, a black-owned publishers.

Linford Christie wins the sought-after 100m gold medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

The first hamburger restaurant in either black Africa or the Arab world opened in Casablanca, Morocco.

Russell Simmons launched his Phat Farm fashion label.

Hackneys Shut Up & Dance were two hip hop fans who preferred raves energy, making anthems like 5,6,7,8 and 10 To Get In. After putting clips of rock crooner Marc Cohn into Ravin Im Ravin they not only drew attention to new issues on sampling, they scored a massive hit.

End Of The Road by Boyz II Men had 13 consecutive weeks at the US No.1, ending a 36-year record previously held by Elvis Presley. However Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You capped this in 1993.

On the dancehall scene, everyone's doing the bogle. Chaka Demus & Pliers join up with Sly & Robbie and release the international hit Murder She Wrote.

In Jamaica Buju Banton, aged 19, breaks Bob Marley's record for the most No.1 singles in one year.

Albums:
• Inside Life - Incognito

Singles:
• Good Lover - D-Influence

Grammy awards:
• X-tra Naked LP - Shabba Ranks

A level student Stephen Lawrence was murdered by a group of white men while waiting for a bus in Eltham, South-East London. The failure to capture his killers provoked his parents to begin a campaign to shame the authorities into finding the culprits. To date no-one has been convicted, but through Stephen's death the racial attitudes of Britain's organisations were re-evaluated.

Paul Ince became the first black Captain of the England football team.

Politicians F.W. De Klerk & Nelson Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize for their work in ending apartheid.

The first all-British world heavyweight title fight took place. Lennox Lewis, holder of the WBC title, defeated Frank Bruno at Cardiff Arms Park.

1993 saw the cementing of a new style of UK music that evolved out of the rave scene. Using pitched up funk breaks, rap hooks and ragga samples it was to be called jungle. Early pioneers were Fabio, Grooverider, Hype and Randall. Jumpin' Jack Frost and Bryan Gee's V Recordings gives Roni Size and DJ Krust their first release.