The reinvention of a pioneering reggae artist

Available for over a year

Born to a Jamaican mother, Sutara Gayle grew up in Brixton in south London in the 1970s. An area with a strong Caribbean identity, Brixton was home to a thriving reggae music scene. Sutara, or Lorna Gee as she was called then, became a well-known name as a female presence on male-dominated sound systems such as Saxon, Small Axe, Coxsone and Nasty Rockers. At a time of high racial tension, the extreme right-wing National Front group were a heavy presence in Sutara's life growing up. Then in 1985 her sister Cherry Groce was shot by police which led to the Brixton riots, or the Brixton uprising, against racism in the police force. Music helped Sutara through that time culminating in a hit called Gotta Find A Way. After performing across Europe and in New York Sutara retrained in acting. This led to a successful career in film and television, including the Batman film The Dark Knight and the long-running British TV soap Eastenders. In the midst of all this she found herself on a silent retreat in India led by her brother Mooji where she changed her name to Sutara. Most recently she has written and performed a play about her life called The Legends of Them and has released an album of her greatest hits. Presenter: Jo Fidgen Producer: May Cameron Get in touch: [email protected] or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707 (Photo: Sutara Gayle. Credit: Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)