UK’s first Black music export office launches

“BLACMEX intends to level the playing field around international touring and showcase opportunities for UK Black music creators and organisations”

The UK’s first Black music export office has launched during this year’s Black History Month.

BLACMEX says it represents Black music genres such as hip-hop, R&B, jazz and gospel across the UK, enhancing opportunities for live music performers, advocating genre diversity and working with organisations globally.

Formed by long-term music industry execs Kwame Safo and Audrey Gray, the export office will work to “reposition the UK Black music sector within the competitive global market and decolonise how the commercial music industry has engaged with Black music genres and specialisms”.

“BLACMEX intends to level the playing field around international touring and showcase opportunities for UK Black music creators and organisations, already under threat from crippling touring costs,” said a statement. “Widening the market for the benefit of the UK’s Black music creators affirms the UK music industry as a global leader in the creative economy.”

“BLACMEX is a long time coming for the UK’s Black music industry,” says Kwame Safo, who is also Relationship Manager at British Council Music and an active DJ and music producer.

“BLACMEX is a long time coming for the UK’s Black music industry”

“It’s incredibly valuable both on a cultural and economical level and will add renewed confidence in a sector which has been the foundation for much of the popular music genres from the United Kingdom.”

Audrey Gray, a consultant who also works for Musicians’ Union and PRS Foundation, adds: “BLACMEX presents a great opportunity to review issues previously flagged by music creators, that can literally disable the careers of music creators, due to a lack of practical and cultural consideration around Black music genres. We hope to empower organisations in their pursuit to open accessible and new export opportunities, while building music ecosystems that resource music creators in a greater way.”

The launch of BLACMEX has been applauded by UK organisations such as Music Managers Forum, Black Lives in Music, Ivors Academy, PRS For Music Member’s Council and UK Music.

Sir Chris Bryant, creative industries minister, Department for Culture, Media and Sport, comments: “From Shirley Bassey and Beverley Knight to Stormzy and Michael Kiwanuka, Black artists have long been at the forefront of the British music industry, creating hits enjoyed by millions. Our sensational Black artists and genres deserve their place on the international stage and I look forward to seeing how BLACMEX can help more talented musicians reach new audiences around the world and showcase the diversity that exists in Britain.”

BLACMEX is encouraging organisations to help map the UK’s Black music talent development by filling out a short form.

Enhancing Black representation was a key topic at the recent International Festival Forum (IFF). See what executives from UTA, Primary Talent, Ferocious Talent and Shangri-La had to say about the matter here.