UK Music Industry Urges Investment in Homegrown Genres and Black Executive Talent
A recent report by UK Music has sparked urgent calls from industry leaders for increased investment in homegrown genres like grime, garage, and lovers rock, alongside greater support for black professionals in executive positions. The findings highlight a stark disparity: black music has driven approximately 80% of the UK music industry's revenue over the past three decades, yet black individuals remain underrepresented in top roles.
Revenue vs. Representation: A Critical Imbalance
According to the 2024 UK Music Diversity Report, black music contributed £24.5 billion out of the £30 billion generated by the UK music industry in the last 30 years. This underscores its pivotal role in the sector's financial success. However, at senior levels, only 22% of the music industry workforce identify as Black, Asian, or minority ethnic, compared to 46% of London's population. This gap is further exacerbated by a racial pay gap, as highlighted in a 2021 report by Black Lives in Music, which found black artists and professionals earn less on average than their white peers.
Calls for Targeted Investment and Support
In response, figures like Eunice Obianagha, head of diversity at UK Music, are advocating for redirected funds from the government's Music Growth Package, which announced up to £30 million in investment for the industry in June 2025. Obianagha emphasized the need to invest in the "kitchen" of music creation, supporting recording studios and archives to nurture genres rooted in black culture. She stated, "Having recognised that black music is a driver for our industry, some of that investment should be put aside to build innovation around black music."
Charisse Beaumont, chief executive of Black Lives in Music, welcomed the report as validation for grassroots efforts, noting that racial pay gaps and career progression barriers hinder black professionals from reaching executive roles. "We've got massive influence in genre and sales, but where are we in the hierarchy? That has to change," she asserted.
Personal Insights from Industry Veterans
Zeon Richards, director of Renowned Group and a former A&R consultant at Polydor, observed a troubling trend: "The first people to go are executives focused on black music, leading to a loss of talent." He stressed that black representation in high-level positions is crucial for driving cultural nuance and talent acquisition.
Jasmine Dotiwala, a former MTV News presenter, echoed these concerns, recalling instances where black executives were underestimated for senior roles despite their deep cultural understanding. "They are often the most effective partners for talent," she noted.
Defining Black Music and Its Broad Influence
The report defines black music as rooted in the culture, beliefs, and history of Black people and the African diaspora, encompassing diverse styles regardless of the musicians' ethnicity. Mykaell Riley, professor of black music at the University of Westminster and a report consultant, explained, "Black music is popular music; this report backs up what the industry already knows with hard data." He emphasized its "long tail of influence," citing 138 genres with black roots, including K-pop and techno.
Ammo Talwar, chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce, expressed surprise at the breadth of subgenres influenced by black music, noting how genres like techno and house are often misattributed. "It's interesting how genres get rewritten from a semi-white European perspective," he remarked.
Educational and Systemic Changes Needed
Riley called for black music to be taught in schools, supported by the report's statistics to legitimize it as a subject. "We need a change in the psychology and perceptions of popular music in Britain," he urged, highlighting the need for broader educational reforms to reflect the industry's diversity.
Overall, the report serves as a catalyst for action, urging the UK music industry to address systemic inequalities and invest in the very cultures that fuel its economic success.
