SEARCH DATE RANGE

SEARCH TERM OR WORD

YouTube Music announces the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2022 21 Oct 2021

PROVIDING OVER 50 CREATORS WITH DEDICATED PARTNER SUPPORT, FUNDING, AND MENTORSHIP FROM SLICK RICK
 
FEATURING SEVEN ARTISTS, PRODUCERS AND SONGWRITERS FROM THE UK INCLUDING BREE RUNWAY, KAMILLE, NSG & CADENZA


YouTube Music today reveals the international array of artists, producers and songwriters who have been chosen for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2022. The initiative is dedicated to equipping rising Black artists and songwriters with the resources that they need to succeed on the platform.  

The seven UK recipients are artists Bree Runway, Kamille, Jords, NSG and Temera, and songwriters Cadenza and Compass. They will each receive dedicated partner support, seed funding to invest into the development of their channels, and opportunities to participate in training and networking programs focused on production, fan engagement and wellbeing.
 
The initiative is an opportunity to celebrate the innovation and influence that Black culture has had on virtually every genre of music, and to provide opportunities that will enable a new wave of talent to reach their full potential.
 
The #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class was launched in 2021 and successfully amplified the voices of the chosen participants. Its 21 artists collectively achieved 1.4 billion views on their official artist channels from January to April 2021. Four artists received 200% growth for views of their official channels, while six saw a 50% boost in their number of subscribers.
 
The initiative is continued and expanded for 2022 with the addition of a selection of up-and-coming songwriters and producers. Another key development is the appointment of the legendary producer Slick Rick as the inaugural mentor member of the #YouTubeBlack Voices Artist Class of 2022. In this capacity, Slick Rick will play an additional role, sharing his wisdom and experience with fellow grant recipients within a series of educational and networking programs.
The #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2022 includes creators from the United States, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, United Kingdom and Canada - a blend which reflects the platform’s global impact. 

 

#YouTubeBlack Voices UK Music Class of 2022  
Croydon-based artistJordsis building a stellar reputation for his smooth hybrid of hip-hop, R&B and poetry, with growth and exploration key themes within his music.
 
Jords said,“My music is a shapeshifting, musical backdrop with rap at its core. Global but local! My earliest influence in music would be Wretch 32, Ghetts, Stevie Wonder, and Lauryn Hill. I started making music because it felt like a place where I could truly be myself. My identity is central to my work. Everything I do is because of who I am, who my ancestors are, and the community that surrounds me. I believe #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund will definitely be a massive elevation for my career. It just opens a lot of doors for myself and the people around me, and will help me a lot with my mission.”
 
With credits on five #1 singles, Kamille is already one of UK’s most successful songwriters, but now her focus is on becoming an unstoppable artist in her own right. That goal is well underway following features on tracks from Lotto Boyzz, Mabel and SG Lewis.
 
Kamille said: “My music is honest, melodic, empowering, super creative, and always tells a story. I’m a songwriter at heart, and I love telling a story through everything I do. A strong beat and iconic melody always lies at the center of my songs. As a Black Caribbean woman, my identity is everything. There’s a raw, unapologetic truth to the things I say, which is something I can only put down to the empowering way I was raised and the role models I had. Standing up for myself and being heard was a must for me growing up and still is now. I’m so grateful for this opportunity as it will allow me to fully capitalize on the platform’s capabilities and tools to help ensure moments of higher engagement and growth from fans and audiences that are invested into the #YouTube Black Voices campaign and what it represents!”
 
Hackney-born Bree Runway is a polymath, representing the sound of a new generation, blending pop, rap, dance, punk and more. She’s already on the radar of the world’s biggest artists, from Missy Elliott with whom she collaborated, and Lady Gaga, whose ‘Chromatica’ remix album she features on with Jimmy Edgar.
 
Bree Runway said,“There is a huge gap in the market for Black pop stars, for edgy Black women who are genre-less and are just popping. I’m that girl, and I'd like to continue to solidify my spot in the industry as that girl. My music is explosive, packed with confidence and sass. On the flip side, there are hints of the emotional to and fros that we as humans go through. It’s genre bending. Sonically there is no limit for me. All my releases have something completely different to offer. It’s what keeps the Bree Runway sound fresh and exciting. I think this is a great opportunity to collaborate with some creatives that I've always wanted to work with to help elevate my content. Fire content goes hand in hand.”
 
The six-piece collective NSG standout in the current UK music scene with their lively diasporic afro-bashment sound and their larger-than-life personalities. Already go-to collaborators for top level artists such as Tion Wayne and Nines, NSG now aim to go global with the help of the MOBO Award-winning producer Jae5 (Dave, J Hus).
 
NSG said, “We would describe our music as world music, a sort of vibe and feeling that can’t be located or reconstructed anywhere else. Our passion for music started from school and always recording ourselves, which grew into a hobby that we knew we were destined for greatness. The funding and opportunity with YouTube helps spread the message of NSG to a wider audience allowing us to infect more people with the vibe we bring to the music scene.”
 
Inspired by the likes of Missy Elliott and Whitney Houston, Tamera has released just five tracks so far but is quickly rising on the back of her recent singles ‘Wickedest’ and ‘Strong For Me’. 
 
As the son of the legendary David Rodigan, Cadenza has been rooted in music culture his entire life. His credits stretch from big breaking names such as Pa Salieu and Aitch to global stars including Beyoncé and Diplo.
 
Songwriter and producer Compass is one of the UK’s most compelling talents, as evidenced by the roll call of artists he has collaborated with: FKA twigs, Snoh Aalegra, Jorja Smith and Tinashe. 
 
Compass said, “I wanted to be a psychiatrist at the time I entered the music industry. People always opened up to me, and I was always a good listener and hyper empathetic. If you look over my discography, a lot of the records I’ve created with artists are close to their hearts, speaking on subjects that they would never usually have told anybody. I like to write with substance, lyrics being first-string and then base the production around the song. It would be great if the #YoutubeBlack Voices Fund could shed even more light on the music and all other work I create. Not many people know who’s responsible for a lot of the work they love, so hopefully it encourages people to get to know more about the BTS of records etc, whether I’m involved in them or not.”

 

The full, global #YouTubeBlackVoices Music Class of 2022 is listed below:
Artists:
Azawi (Kampala, Uganda), Barkaa (The Malyangapa & Barkindji regions of Western NSW), Blanco Brown (Atlanta, Georgia, United States), Bree Runway (East London, England, United Kingdom), Budjerah (Fingal Head, Australia), Cico P (Jacksonville, Texas, United States), Cimafunk (Miami, Florida, United States), CKay (Anambra, Nigeria), Dijon (Ellicott City, Maryland, United States), Elaine (Pretoria, South Africa), EST Gee (Louisville, Kentucky, United States), Jonathan Ferr (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Jords (Croydon, England, United Kingdom), Kadhja Bonet (Long Beach, California, United States), Kamille (London, England, United Kingdom), Liniker (São Paulo, Brazil), Liza (Toronto, Canada), midwxst (Carmel, Indiana, United States), Monaleo (Houston, Texas, United States), Nija (Union City, New Jersey, United States), NorthSideBenji (Toronto, Canada), NSG (London, England, United Kingdom), Omah Lay (Port Harcourt, Nigeria), Rico Dalasam (São Paulo, Brazil), Savannah Ré (Toronto, Canada), Slick Rick (Bronx, New York, United States), Tai Verdes (Palos Verdes, Los Angeles, CA), Tamera (Kent, England), Tasha & Tracie (São Paulo, Brazil), Teezo Touchdown (Beaumont, Texas, United States), whiterosemoxie (Detroit, Michigan, United States)

 

Songwriters and producers:
Cadenza (London, England, United Kingdom), Compass (North London, England, United Kingdom), Dallas Woods (Wyndham, West Australia, Australia), Dj Lag (Johannesburg, South Africa), Gloria Kaba (Irvington, New Jersey, United States), HARV (Kansas City, Missouri, United States), IamTash (Boston, Massachusetts, United States), Jay Versace (Pleasantville, New Jersey, United States), jetsonmade (Columbia, South Carolina, United States), Kobie Dee (South Sydney, Bidjigal Land, Australia), Léo Casa 1 (São Paulo, Brazil), Major League DJz (Johannesburg, South Africa), Mu540 (Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil), Nova Wav (Tallahassee, Florida / Atlanta, Georgia, United States), OG Parker (Atlanta, Georgia, United States), P.Priime (Lagos, Nigeria), RDD (Paulo Afonso, Bahia, Brazil), Rodriguinho (Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil), Telz (Lagos, Nigeria), Walshy Fire (Miami, Florida, United States), WondaGurl (Toronto, Canada), YAOB (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

NEWS & PRESS

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

beatBread partners with Kobalt and amra to expand artists' global earning potential

  beatBread (www.beatBread.com), the AI-driven funding platform that enables artists, songwriters and independent labels to access growth capital while maintaining choice, ownership and control, has empowered its thousands of clients by offering publishing administration via Kobalt Music Group. In addition, beatBread...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

PizzaExpress Serves Up Record Stores In Celebration Of Record Label’s First Anniversary

The iconic pizzeria brand’s record label - PX Records - will open three record stores across LondonLabel’s latest album An Adventurous Dream (At PizzaExpress Live In London) by Ian Shaw and Tony Kofi is released on April 26th and available to pre-save HERE The tables...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

Simple Minds' Jim Kerr wins prestigious radio award for his BBC documentary on Jim Morrison

  Last night at the New York Festivals International Radio Awards in NYC 'Jim Kerr on Jim Morrison' was awarded the Gold Medal for Best Documentary in the Culture & The Arts category. The documentary, written and presented by Jim Kerr and...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Blues Project Founder, Simi Agbaje named ‘Music Entrepreneur of the Year’ 2024 by YMB Awards

The much awaited Young Music Boss Awards returns on 25th April 2024 at The Pelligon, Canary Wharf, celebrating the best of the music industry’s young executive and entrepreneurial talent. Simi Agbaje has today been awarded ‘Music Entrepreneur of the Year’ –...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

Concord acquires Hipgnosis

RECOMMENDED CASH OFFER FOR HIPGNOSIS SONGS FUND LIMITED ("HIPGNOSIS") BY CONCORD CHORUS LIMITED ("BIDCO") an entity indirectly controlled by Alchemy Copyrights, LLC, trading as Concord ("Concord") to be implemented by means of a Court-sanctioned scheme of arrangement under Part VIII of the Companies (Guernsey) Law, 2008...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

Notting Hill Music sign producer/writer Ian Barter

Notting Hill Music are delighted to announce the signing of producer/writer Ian Barter to a long-term worldwide publishing agreement. Ian produced and co-wrote the upcoming Gabrielle album including the recent Radio 2 A-List single “A Place In Your Heart” as...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Great Escape unveils its full festival schedule

PLUS...STAGE HOSTS REVEALED  BBC ASIAN NETWORK | DIY | MARSHALL | NICE SWAN RECORDS DOWNLOAD | CLASH | MOSHI MOSHI | PIAS | ATC LIVE | GAY TIMES | FAT CAT | TICKETMASTER NEW MUSIC | WME | BELLA UNION | THE INDEPENDENT | NOTION | SO...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

Nature is now officially an artist

‘SOUNDS RIGHT’ IS A NEW GLOBAL MUSIC INITIATIVE TO RECOGNISE THE VALUE OF NATUREARTISTS FROM AROUND THE GLOBE RELEASE NEW TRACKS FEATURING NATURE: DAVID BOWIE x BRIAN ENO | ELLIE GOULDING | AURORA | ANUV JAIN | MØ | BOMBA ESTEREO | LONDON...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

The Record Store & Black Music: A UK History documented in new book and film

The cultural impact of UK independent record stores that specialised in Black music will be documented in a revealing new book and film that are set to be released as part of Black History Month (October 2024).   Contributors include Trevor Nelson, David...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

Live Nation and the R&A announce unique partnership to elevate the AIG Women’s Open

     Live Nation and The R&A, golf’s global governing body outside of the US and Mexico, have today joined forces to take one of golf’s most entertaining Championships to the next level. The showpiece of The R&A’s commitment to championing the...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

AIM Statement on IPO’s Creator Remuneration Working Group meeting

  Gee Davy, Interim CEO and Chief Policy Officer for AIM, said: "The independent music community has fairness at its heart, setting AIM up more than 20 years ago to work on levelling the playing field for all. This is reflected in...more

18 Apr 2024 | Press release

BPI statement following first session of the Creator Remuneration Working Group

“This first session in the CRWG was a constructive one and we look forward to an ongoing discussion that is informed by the evidence and enables UK record labels to continue their essential investment in new music and support for...more

17 Apr 2024 | Press release

Record Store Day set to deliver £10m boost to indie record shops

Annual celebration takes place this Saturday April 20   Record Store Day, the annual celebration of indie record store culture taking place this Saturday (April 20), is expected to deliver a £9.7m boost to indie record shops, helping secure the future of...more

17 Apr 2024 | Press release

TikTok to stage first LIVE music pop-up for emerging artists

  TikTok to host LIVE music pop-up to spotlight emerging artists The TikTok LIVE music event will take place April 24 and 25 at London's Kings Cross Two-day event will be streamed on TikTok LIVE and feature special guest artists   TikTok will be transforming one...more

17 Apr 2024 | Press release

Nothing Forced: New creative content and design agency

INTRODUCING NOTHING FORCED:  New creative content and design agency by brothers Jeremy and Lawrence Abbott - offering solutions and strategy for 360 needs and artistic evolution in music.   FOLLOW NOTHING FORCED SHOWREEL  Launching this April 2024, Nothing Forced is a new agency from industry...more

17 Apr 2024 | Press release

Impala’s Earth Day spotlight on climate action in the music industry

Ahead of Earth Day 2024 and two years after launching its Carbon Calculator, powered by Julie’s Bicycle and sponsored by Merlin, IMPALA highlights practical examples in the music industry to tackle climate change, releasing its updated sustainability guidance for members and organising a free...more

17 Apr 2024 | Press release

Music Licensing Super Highway: The Rights Launches Music Clearance Infrastructure for Growing Sync Licensing Traffic

  Today, The Rights (therights.com) and Dequency are joining forces to announce the public launch of their new, innovative platform designed to overhaul licensing commercial music for videos.  The Rights Sync Licensing Clearance Platform reduces the back-and-forth required to secure an audiovisual music synchronization license (aka a...more

17 Apr 2024 | Press release

Tomorrow's Warriors makes last push to reach £100k target for #iamwarrior appeal

£71K RAISED SO FAR SINCE APPEAL LAUNCHED IN NOVEMER 2023 TO KEEP AWARD-WINNING TALENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME £FREE   New video featuring Shirley Tetteh, Sultan Stevenson and Romarna Campbell released here   With just two weeks away from International Jazz Day on 30th April, the pioneering talent...more

17 Apr 2024 | Press release

Brick Lane Jazz Festival unveils a glittering second wave of artists for its 2024 edition

Theo Croker, Chip Wickman, Esa’s Afro-Synth Band ft. Kamazu, Secret Night Gang, Olive Jones, COLECTIVA, Macwood, Don Glori, Eriksson Kaner, And Is Phi plus more all added to the line up. 26th – 28th April 2024 at The Truman Brewery and...more

17 Apr 2024 | Press release

Harri Davies named Head of A&R at RCA Records UK

  Sony Music UK has appointed Harri Davies as Head of A&R at RCA Records UK, effective immediately. Davies will report into Co-Presidents Glyn Aikins and Stacey Tang and will be responsible for steering the A&R strategy, signing talent and continuing...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

Karta pushes the boundaries of music game innovation with ‘Built Builder’ on Fortnite - reaching 100k players

  Beat Builder is Fortnite’s first-ever build-based rhythm game Karta partners with NoCopyrightSounds for the game’s music library  Two new big songs just added: Royalty by Egzod & Maestro Chives and Invincible by DEAF KEV    Karta, an award-winning metaverse studio pioneering the world of...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

BPI’s new Yearbook highlights breadth & vibrancy of British recorded music, including an independent sector growing for a sixth consecutive year

  BPI’s newly-published All About The Music 2024 reveals independently-released music claimed 29.2% of UK recorded music consumption last year, a third higher than in 2017. Indies in all their shapes and sizes, from iconic labels to micro-labels and self-releasing artists, had an even...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

Warner Chappell Music and Electronic Arts team up on exclusive partnership

Publisher to Administer Music for All EA Video Games, Including Fan Favorites EA SPORTS FC, Madden NFL, Dead Space, and More   Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has entered into an exclusive publishing agreement with Electronic Arts (EA) to administer music across its expansive library, including...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

Sony Music Entertainment Germany and Music Women* Germany launch third edition of Female Producer Prize

Applications open today until 15th May 2024 for female-identifying and non-binary producers of all music genres Winners’ prizes include production coaching, grants, free music equipment and a producer workshop at Sony Music Germany’s Circle Studios In this year’s award, the Prize has two distinct...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

Warner Chappell Music and ICE extend and expand their multi territory digital partnership

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and ICE have announced an expansion of their long-standing  partnership. As part of this, WCM is set to move all online processing from other European  digital licensing administration partners to ICE.   The news follows a thorough 10-month review,...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

Ice Spice signs with PPL for international royalties collection

   Music licensing company PPL has announced the signing of Ice Spice for the collection of international neighbouring rights royalties. She joins a host of artists who signed with PPL recently for international collections including Lewis Capaldi, Libianca and Central Cee.   Ice...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

IMS Legends Award 2024 honours Elrow & The Arnau Family

IMS (International Music Summit) Ibiza will recognise the outstanding achievements and contributions of the Elrow & The Arnau Family who are today announced as the recipient of the annual IMS Legends Award 2024 as part of this year’s Beatport Awards. ...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

TikTok and AXS Announce Global Ticketing Partnership

  Fans around the world can now discover and buy live event tickets for their favorite artists on TikTok through the AXS partnership TikTok today announces a new partnership with AXS, a leader in global ticketing, to offer fans a new way to discover...more

16 Apr 2024 | Press release

BEAT Music Fund Acquires Amsterdam Music Publisher, Cloud 9 Music; Armada Music Forms Armada Music Group as Parent Company

The acquisition further strengthens Armada Music Group’s publishing division, underscoring the company’s mission to creatively fuel the dance industry under one roof   BEAT Music Fund, the first-ever dance investment fund from Armada Music, has announced the acquisition of Amsterdam-based music publisher, Cloud...more

15 Apr 2024 | Press release

All the Record Store Day celebrations taking place this weekend

  IN STORE PERFORMANCES, SIGNINGS, DJ SETS, GIVEAWAYS AND MORE LIVE BROADCAST ON 6 MUSIC FROM TANGLED PARROT, SWANSEA More than 270 independent record shops are gearing up for the biggest celebration of the year this weekend, as Record Store Day is set...more

THE HEADLINES

18 Apr 2024

  • Concord set to acquire Hipgnosis Songs Fund (see Business)

17 Apr 2024

  • Is the music industry gaslighting artists? (see Comment)

16 Apr 2024

  • BPI’s new Yearbook highlights an independent sector growing for a sixth consecutive year (see Reports)

  • Can’t cross the moat? Walk around it. (see Comment)

15 Apr 2024

  • The conversation around Fandom needs to change (see Opinion)

  • Viagogo: Carrying on ticketing, despite the controversy (see News)

12 Apr 2024

  • Taylor Swift songs return to TikTok (see Digital)

  • Spotify plans new remixing tools for the TikTok generation (see Digital)

  • Is Spotify plotting a largescale push into short-form video? (see Digital)

11 Apr 2024

  • AIM CEO Silvia Montello resigns for personal reasons (see News)

  • The techification of entertainment (and why it needs to reverse) (see Comment)

  • AI music startup Udio launches backed by artists and Instagram’s co-founder (see Digital)

10 Apr 2024

  • Artists are seeing their music removed from DSPs for streaming fraud they didn’t commit (see Features)

09 Apr 2024

  • Is there any room for fantasy in pop music these days? (see Features)

08 Apr 2024

  • Warner Music declines to bid for Believe (see Business)

05 Apr 2024

  • Napster dispute with photographer puts the spotlight on industry’s artwork deals (see News)

  • TikTok reports small businesses drove $600m in revenue for the music and entertainment industry in 2023 (see Reports)