Music initiative aims to level playing field for Black creatives
Generator, the music development agency based in Newcastle, has joined with Liverpool-based consultancy Nothin But The Music in a project aimed at creating opportunities for Black music creatives.
Its rather wordy title is The OPEN SAUCE x Generator - Black Music Incubator Project.
The initiative is part of Liverpool City Region’s music industry sector development pilot which was created thanks to the work of LCR Music Board’s Black Music Action Group.
The programme is partly a response to a report published in April called ReMap which highlighted a gap in opportunities for those under-represented in the music industry, particularly in Liverpool and other northern cities.
Mick Ross, Generator chief executive, says the year-long pilot could be replicated across other parts of the UK.
“The OPEN SAUCE x Generator - Black Music Incubator Project is designed to advance emerging talent from all sides of the industry while meeting the present skills shortage.
“The core mission is to provide work experience with a real living wage to those underrepresented.
“Creating a national model from this is not only feasible, but also the goal all involved are striving for.
“This is just the start and will ensure Black music creators and industry professionals based in the North East, the North West and the North generally get better access, more opportunity and platforms, and networks to ensure their skills are recognised.
“The launch of this project ties in perfectly with the MOBOs coming to Newcastle in February and will see us scale up our commitment, via local authority support, to produce an ambitious and impactful MOBO fringe programme focused on Black music.”
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Also leading the project is Yaw Owusu, founder of Nothin But The Music and a longtime advocate of a more inclusive music industry.
“There’s been a lot of work done around equality and equity for Black music creators and industry professionals, but there remains a real need to do something impactful and tangible for those individuals who want to have a fair shot at launching a career in the music industry,” he said.
Josh Daniel, head of Newcastle-based Interval Records, added: “We’re delighted to be collaborating with Yaw and Generator on such a powerful initiative.
“Interval Records’ involvement in the programme allows us to play a role in upskilling talented Black professionals and at the same time facilitate label opportunities for Black artists.
“We’ve already seen impactful results and it’s undoubtedly a national model in the making. Rolling this out across the country could be groundbreaking.”