Universal Music Group’s Global Impact Team expands ‘Sounds of the Future’ programme to the UK

10 November 2025 - Press release

LAUNCHES WITH IMMERSIVE GALLERY HONOURING BLACK CULTURE AND ARTISTRY, CURATED BY DR ALEEMA GRAY

PARTNERS WITH THE BLACK MUSIC COALITION ON INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME

 

Universal Music Group’s (UMG’s) Global Impact Team (GIT) has announced the expansion of the company’s Sounds of the Future (SotF) programme – an international initiative supporting Black creativity and the preservation of Black music history. The GIT team, formed in 2024 to enact and amplify the business’ vision for positive change, has brought the initiative celebrating the intersection of music, education, creativity and culture to the UK in its first international iteration. 

The launch coincided with Black History Month and brought together a series of activations starting with a specially curated gallery entitled Black Frequencies - celebrating Black music and artists at UMG, as well as the launch of a first of its kind internship scheme in partnership with the Black Music Coalition, and culminated with an intimate dinner at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly – honouring Black culture and creativity.

Black Frequencies Gallery 
A specially curated gallery at UMG’s UK headquarters explored themes of Black British identity, liberation and creativity through music. The gallery was curated by acclaimed historian, Dr Aleema Gray, founder of HOUSE OF DREAD and Lead Curator for the 2024 Beyond the Bassline exhibition at The British Library. Drawn from the UMG and EMI archives, the exhibition unlocked rare recordings, photographs, and ephemera that trace the evolution of Black music in Britain. 

“It was a true honour to collaborate with Universal Music Group on this project. Universal holds a rich and diverse archive of Black artistry that speaks to the depth and brilliance of our musical heritage. Black Frequencies emerged from a desire to think differently about how we listen, remember, and celebrate these histories — not as static artefacts, but as living frequencies that continue to shape the sound and spirit of our future.” - Dr Aleema Gray 

Black Music Coalition Internship
The work of the BMC is dedicated to eradicating racial inequality and establishing equality and equity for Black executives, artists and their communities within the UK music industry. UMG UK, in partnership with the BMC, has launched a new two-year-long internship for an aspiring executive. A first of its kind programme – the position will allow the candidate to rotate across three divisions in the first year and then decide on the business area they would like to focus on in the second.

"Creating sustainable pathways into the music industry is vital for shaping the culture of the industry. Through this two-year internship, the Black Music Coalition partners with Universal Music Group to identify, invest in, and nurture emerging Black talent who are at a pivotal point in their creative and professional journey. The initiative represents both organisations’ commitment to equity, access, and the cultivation of the next generation of talent to drive diversity within the industry forward." - The Black Music Coalition Executive Committee 

Sounds of the Future Dinner 
The programme culminated with an intimate dinner at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly. Attended by Black cultural leaders, creatives, tastemakers and executives from across music, fashion, art, sport, film & TV, and theatre. The highlight of the evening - a screening of four original, short films produced by emerging Black filmmakers, Josh-Moses Amasse, Aaron Bony, Kyrah Knowles McKellop and Ali Suleiman Morgan from the Film and Media Production course at the BRIT School. The young creatives used footage from UMG’s video archive to build their projects. The films were screened whilst a string quartet from Chineke! Orchestra performed classical interpretations of tracks by Miss Dynamite, Soul II Soul, Courtney Pine and Dina Carroll.

Sharlotte Ritchie, Senior Director of Global Impact & Communications at UMG concluded, "Launching SotF in the UK builds on the important legacy of the programme - shining a light on Black British artistry. Black British music and creativity have carried rhythms and messages across time and borders, influencing our culture and artistry today, and providing light and possibility for the future. Black Frequencies is a reminder of the importance of preserving Black art and uncovering stories that still need to be told, and we thank Dr Aleema Gray for sharing her passion and vision with us. Partnering with the BMC on creating more access and opportunity for emerging leaders is just one example of our commitment to ensuring Black British artistry is supported purposefully and authentically, and that the leadership of tomorrow is equitable, creative, and broad in perspective. To end the month connecting with so many talented and dedicated creatives and executives at our dinner was a beautiful reminder of the power of community and collective voice - I’m so grateful for the time shared and energy exchanged.”