In the News: Via the Inquirer, a history of Black electronic music can’t exist without Philly
The paper spoke with King Britt about Blacktronika and his his week-long showcase at What Now: 2026.
The Philadelphia Inquirer interviewed celebrated musician, producer, curator and professor King Britt about the legacy of Black electronic music — captured under the umbrella of his Blacktronika course/project — and his week of shows during ArtPhilly's What Now: 2026 festival.
King Britt is bringing Blacktronika back home.
In 2020, the Philadelphia DJ and producer — then a newly hired computer music professor at University of California, San Diego — created a course called “Blacktronika: Afrofuturism in Electronic Music.”
The popular class honors “people of color who pioneered groundbreaking genres within electronic music,” citing innovators like Sun Ra, Flying Lotus, and Philadelphia poet Moor Mother. Featured guests have included Herbie Hancock, Questlove, and Nile Rodgers...
But before he brings the world to Philadelphia, “Philadelphia Now and Then” will first tell the story of how Blacktronika blossomed in his hometown.
“It’s important to honor all the parties that were pushing the sonics, the sound of electronic Blackness in Philly,” Britt said. “From Philly, born in Philly, all the musicians are Philly. Everything’s Philly.”
Read the whole story HERE.
Image via King Britt