TuneCore and Black Lives in Music partnership announced

30 April 2021 - Press release

Online panel series will discuss challenges faced by black artists and executives in the music industry and explore possible solutions

First panel announced as part of Sound City Digital

Part One- What Does Success Look Like?

Friday 30th April 2021

Moderator: Roger Wilson (CEO Black Lives in Music)

Panelists: Carns Hill (Producer), Bridie Asare (A&R, Believe), R.A.E (artist)

Dedicated to a more inclusive and diverse industry, leading independent digital music distributor TuneCore have partnered with Black Lives in Music to announce a series of panels exploring black identity in the music industry. Black Lives in Music is a new organisation focusing on the issue of diversity in the music industry.  

The series will investigate the issues that black artists and executives face in the music industry and the ways in which the industry can work together to solve them. Each panel will be filmed on Zoom and then hosted on the Guest House.

The first panel What Does Success Look Like? will take place as part of Sound City DigitalFriday 30th April 2021. Join TuneCore, owned by Paris-based Believe, and Black Lives in Music for a fascinating discussion on the concept of success and what it looks like for those who are pursuing a career in the music industry. Touching on a variety of perspectives from artist, to management to studio engineer, the panel recognises everyone has their own dreams and aspirations when it comes to career growth. 

Roger Wilson, co-founder of Black Lives in Music will be chairing a panel discussion which features leading artists and music industry professionals such as Carns Hill (Producer), Bridie Asare (A&R, Believe), and R.A.E (artist). The panelists will share their professional journeys and experiences as people of colour in the UK music industry. This insightful session will ask the important questions, such as- what does success mean in the music industry? How do we get there? and what can we do now to smooth the journey for tomorrow’s generation?

“To have an insight is to be at the beginning of the journey of understanding.  Between the insight we will gather from our surveys and the opportunities to speak with amazing guests such as those involved in our panel discussions, we are confident that we can help our industry to understand why change is needed.  We’re proud of our developing partnerships too and look forward to the journey we’ll make together.”

- Roger Wilson, co-founder of Black Lives in Music

“TuneCore is committed to equity and equality, across races, genders and any marginalized groups. We’re thrilled to partner with BLiM, an organization whose values align with our own. The first step towards change is awareness and we hope this important series of talks will inspire action across the UK music industry.

- Farayl Khan-Thompson, Vice President, International, TuneCore

About Black Lives in Music

Earlier this month Black Lives in Music launched The Black Lives in Music survey, ground-breaking research looking at the issues Black creatives face in multiple areas including racial discrimination, mental health, well-being and economic disparity. There is currently no data about the experience and everyday reality for Black musicians in the UK, so they are calling for Black musicians and music creators across Britain to take part. They will use the data and advocacy to amplify and empower Black musicians in order to bring about increased and sustained representation and participation at all levels for a truly diverse and inclusive industry. The survey closes on 16th May 2021 and the results are set to be published in an annual BLiM report in June.

Visit the Black Lives in Music website https://blim.org.uk/