The UK has its first black music export office.
Announced during Black History Month, BLACMEX has officially entered the UK music market and has been welcomed by major organizations and governments.
BLACMEX represents Black music genres from four developed countries, increases opportunities for live music performers, advocates for genre diversity, and collaborates with organizations around the world.
Founded by long-time music industry experts Kwame Safo and Audrey Gray, BLACMEX will work to reposition the UK’s black music sector within a competitive global market. It aims to expand and highlight British black music genres around the world.
“BLACMEX intends to level the playing field around international touring and present opportunities to black music creators and organizations in the UK who are already under threat from crippling touring costs,” the statement said. “Increasing the market for the benefit of Britain’s black music creators confirms the British music industry as a global leader in the creative economy.”
“BLACMEX has been a long time coming for the UK black music industry,” said Kwame Safo. “This is incredibly valuable both culturally and economically, and will bring new confidence to an area that has been the foundation of many of Britain’s popular music genres.”
Audrey Gray added: “BLACMEX revisits an issue previously raised by music creators that a lack of practical and cultural consideration regarding black music genres can literally nullify their careers.” We want to support organizations in pursuing new and accessible export opportunities, while building a music ecosystem that better resources music creators.”
BLACMEX has been a long time coming for the UK’s black music industry.
Kwame Safo
The launch of BLACMEX has been well received by key sectors in the field.
Amo Talwar MBE, Chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce, said: “We are very excited about the establishment of BLACMEX to support organizations and individuals involved in black music. It was my home base.” They produce a wide variety of new music, often inventing new genres and exporting them to countries around the world.
“BLACMEX will work together to create a framework for the internationalization of black music creators in the UK and those who want to work with black music creators overseas. This already adds around £7 billion a year to the economy. It will help grow and further strengthen the UK music industry, which contributes to our £4 billion export market. ”
“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,” Culture said.・Sir Chris Bryant, Minister for Creative Industries, Department of Media and Sport, said: . “Our sensational black artists and genres deserve a place on the international stage and we are excited to see how BLACMEX can help more talented musicians reach new audiences around the world and showcase the diversity that exists in the UK. I look forward to supporting you.”
“For as long as we have known, black music has been a global commodity,” said Michelle Escoffery, president of the PRS for Music Membership Council. “For just as long, black music has been underrepresented. Bramex acts as a catalyst to represent black music in the business field, to engage, inform and develop a strong and thriving global community. It is an important period in the history of music exports.”
We want to support organizations that seek to develop new export opportunities.
audrey gray
Paul Bonham, director of professional development at MMF, said: “We are very pleased to be increasing our export support and showcase opportunities in the UK.” “BLACMEX’s particular focus provides a great opportunity to build on recent market growth in a wide range of black music genres. Export competition is becoming increasingly intense, but the global opportunity has never been greater. They are diverse and out of reach for talent. Managers navigate these as they build global entrepreneurial businesses for their clients and, importantly, reach new audiences. We need support for this.”
“BLACMEX is a pivotal moment for the UK’s black music industry. This is an organization that not only elevates our talent, but affirms our global importance,” said Black Lives in Music. said Charisse Oyediwura, Chief Executive Officer. And the stories of Black music creators are being seen, heard, and valued on a global stage. They’re not just exporting music, they’re exporting culture, tradition and excellence. ”
“We are inspired by the formation and launch of BLACMEX,” said Yaw Owusu, Creative Consultant at Nothin But The Music. “The organization will deliver a much-needed service in an authentic and impactful way that will contribute to the careers and opportunities of black British music, music creators and industry professionals, and through it the UK music industry as a whole. BLACMEX is a progressive initiative focused on achieving real equality and fairness for black music creators and industry professionals in the UK, aligning with a number of other initiatives and interventions that have brought about tangible change. It can be a powerful force.”
Tom Gray, chairman of Ivors Academy, said: “This is really exciting for black British music.” “That community needs a way to serve a variety of needs and markets in order to expand its global benefits. We couldn’t be happier with this development.”
“BLACMEX is a great new development that has long been needed to champion Black musical talent,” said Roger Wilson, director of operations at Black Lives in Music. “This provides an important platform and, most importantly, much-needed visibility for Black music.” Creators on the international stage. Black Lives in Music is pleased and proud to stand alongside Blacmex in the vital work they do to level the playing field in music for Black artists. ”
Organizations are invited to participate in the BLACMEX industry mapping initiative by completing this short form.
BLACMEX also invites music creators to register their interest in talent export opportunities by filling out this form.
For more information, please visit https://blacmex.uk.
