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The V&A East's New Exhibition, The Music Is Black: A British Story, Launches Today!

18th April 2026

As Kim revealed during her 'Kim Appleby: A Life In Music, Movement & Fashion' event, and in her letter to you all, which we posted last month, Mel & Kim are being represented in The V&A East's inaugural exhibition - The Music Is Black: A British Story - which launches today. The multi-sensory exhibition, which recognises and celebrates how Black British music has shaped British culture and the wider world, will run until January, 2027, and features some stunning personal items from Kim's personal collection.

A must see for Mel & Kim and Kim Appleby fans everywhere!

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Hi friends,
We hope you’re enjoying Kim’s digital/streaming releases, which came to you throughout February,
Kim wanted to send you this special message.
Thank you for your continued love and support.

Free Spirit - single & remix package STREAMING NOW on every platform!

Light Of The World — single & remix package streaming now on every platform.
What’s your favorite remix?

Kim’s 4-week/8-release streaming schedule continues from this Friday (13th) with the inclusion of Breakaway – The Extended Mixes album and the Breakaway Single Remixes package.

Breakaway deserves recognition, both as a standout in Kim Appleby’s back catalogue, and as an album which showcased her growth as a singer/songwriter and her ability to blend warm, soul-pop melodies with lyrics that convey sincerity and emotional depth. Yet, despite its many merits, the album has remained largely absent online – until now!

From Friday the 6th of February, this untapped classic will finally be officially available to stream through all major streaming platforms, as part of a 4-week streaming release schedule: set to also include the singles Breakaway and Light of the World (with their respective ‘Remixes’ packages), and the previously promo-only release, Breakaway The Extended Mixes album (available to stream from February 13th and then February 20th).

Rounding off this exciting package, Kim’s stunning 1994 single Free Spirit, and its ‘Remixes’ package, will be available to stream from February 27th.

Together, these streaming releases, which have all been newly remastered from their original tapes, make early 2026 an ideal time to rediscover Kim’s musical legacy as a solo artist, and to guarantee that the Breakaway album finally receives the long overdue applause that it truly warrants!

The V&A Presents - Kim Appleby. A Life in Music, Movement & Fashion!

In was an honour to support Kim in putting together what was such a special project tonight. We hope that those of you in the audience, and those of you who watched the presentation online, enjoyed it… and didn’t Kim look amazing?

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The V&A East's New Exhibition, The Music Is Black: A British Story, Launches Today!

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