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Welcome to the online home of BritishBlackMusic.com and Black Music Congress. We were hoping to have a facelift in time for this year's British Black Music Month (BBMM), but it was not to be.
Whilst you can find out about the BBMM events from this homepage - just scroll down to view the selection of activities, apart from Competitions and Events, we'll be posting our updates of reports and photos at www.bstop.net, our free arts and community listings site.
PLEASE NOTE: WE'RE RE-BUILDING THE BBM SITE, SO THERE WILL BE NO REGULAR UPDATES UNTIL THE RE-BUILD IS COMPLETED AROUND SEPT/OCT 2010
Although most of the offline events are free, it's important to pre-book by simply emailing and indicating which particular event you wish to attend.
TYLER PERRY NOTICE: If you're tired of stereotypical, ghetto-centric African-American films, and hunger for a family-friendly film, then you need to a) grab one of the 3 Tyler Perry movies released on DVD for the first time in the UK, and if you want a cinematic experience, Why Did I Get Married Too, starring Janet Jackson and Jill Scott, is currently showing in the UK.
WORLD CUP CLASH? We've tried not to programme on important match days, but if there's a clash - tape the footie for later viewing, and attend a BBMM event to power-boost your industry knowledge and contacts!
British Black Music Month (BBMM) 2010 will be kicking off May 28, 7-9pm with a Launch incorporating a Quiz, Networking & Performances, right up to the close on July 17 with the African Crafts & Records Fair, which will include an open mic session outdoors, on indoors if rain threatens!
Click to preview some of the BBMM2010 events.
If you want to be in the loop, make sure you join the mailing list: editor@britishblackmusic.com. To find out about previous BBMMs or if you'd like your event included in BBMM2010, see background at: British Black Music Month (BMMM)
What: Launch of British Black Music Month (BBMM) 2010, Networking, The Great British Black Music QUIZ, plus performances by up & coming artists Brie Boateng and Tayshan! Come and find out more on what’s in store such, as the British Black Music List 2010, the £10k New Music Entrepreneur Grant’s 10x6 Challenge, African music competitions, plus show off your knowledge of domestic black music during the quiz – loads of prizes to be won! Caribbean food on sale. Not to mention an opportunity to publicise your activities and make contacts!
When: Friday 28 May, 7-9pm
Where: The Space, Willesden Green Library Centre, 95 High Road, Willesden Green NW10 2SF
Cost: Free, but food will be on sale
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: Is Popular Black Music Empowering Us? Panellists including Asst. Min. Brother Polymin Muhammad (Nation Of Islam), Dennis Gyamfi (Strength In Numbers youth rep), Kwaku (Black Music Congress), plus guest artist lead on an important debate before an inter-generational audience during the mid-term break
When: Tuesday 1 June, 8-10pm
Where: Bridge Park Complex, Brentfield (Harrow Road), Stonebridge NW10 0RG
Cost: Free, but pre-booking necessary
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: Ruff Cutt Band 30th Anniversary Concert. One of Britain’s leading reggae bands celebrate its 30th anniversary with what should be one heck of a reggae fest, with the Dread Broadcasting Corp. crew on the decks. A WOM@ promotion
When: Friday June 4, 7pm
Where: The Tabernacle, Powis Square, London W11 2AY
Cost: £10/£15
To book and for more information: www.carnivalvillage.org.uk/2010/06/04, 0844 412 4641
What: Managing No. 1 Artists & Songwriters. Panellists include Billy Grant (Jay Sean manager), Clive Allick (Terence Trent D’Arby), Jon Webster (Music Managers Forum CEO), Kwaku (Black Music Congress founder) provide the low down on managing crossover talent
When: Monday, 7 June, 6-8pm
Where: PRS Basement, 29-33 Berners Street, London W1T 3AB
Cost: Free, but pre-booking necessary
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: Talking Copyright: Reflecting On A 300 Year History & The Music Industry. Panellists including Kienda Hoji (lawyer/director of Uni. Of Westminster commercial music), David Stopps (MMF UK & International copyright & related rights director), Pauline Henry (ex-Chimes singer/IP consultant), Dave Laing (researcher/lecturer), Ben Challis (lawyer/lecturer), and Kwaku (BMC) lead an irreverent yet factually-rich discussion covering various angles - history, landmark cases, causes célèbre, 'good' and 'bad' copyright stories/policies, etc in association with University Of Westminster’s Centre For Black Music Research
Aimed at music industry, media and law students and lecturers, and music industry and practitioners, who determine wrap-up vote: a) are today's copyright laws robust enough for an internet age? b) copyright awareness: have we lost the fight to win the hearts & minds of the youths – tomorrow’s consumers?
When: Tuesday June 15, 6.30-8.30pm
Where: University Of Westminster (The Old Cinema), 309 Regents Street, London W1B 2UW
Cost: Free, but pre-booking necessary
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: British Black Gospel: An Invisible Industry? Gospel/arts practitioner Andrea Encinas (British Gospel Arts director), music entrepreneur T Oyelola (Guvna B manager), gospel TV programmer Patrick Campbell, gospel TV presenter/producer Michael Owusu, and other panel members lead on an investigation as to whether Britain has a gospel industry, and what is needed to grow a domestic gospel industry. Chair: Kwaku (BMC).
When: Thursday June 17, 6.30-8.30pm
Where: 365 Brixton Road, Brixton (by Police Station), London SW9 7DA
Cost: Free, but pre-booking necessary
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: African Oyé. The biggest global African music and culture festival in Britain, and it’s free! Get to Liverpool to catch the good vibes and discover ‘new’ sounds on June 19: Boukman Eksperyans (Haiti), Les Espoires De Coronthie (Guinea Conakry), The Gangbe Brass Band (Benin), To Coca (Haiti), Victor Démé (Burkina Faso), and on June 20: Carlou D (Senegal), Les Freres Guissé (Senegal), Michael Rose (Jamaica), Rasites (UK), and Tomezclao (Cuba)
When: Saturday June 19-Sunday June 20, 12.30-9.30pm
Where: Sefton Park, Liverpool
Cost: Free
For more information: www.africaoye.com
What: Kissing History: Reminiscing Over 25 Years Of Kiss FM. Kiss FM co-founder Gordon Mac and some of people involved, especially in the early days of the iconic pirate, and post-pirate, radio station recall their memories of their time at influential station
When: Friday June 25, 6.30-9pm
Where: Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP (near Victoria station)
Cost: Free, but pre-booking necessary
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: Keeping It Legal: Live And On-Air. Whether you’re operating a community or web radio, promoting or playing live, find out about how to keep on the legal side with the right licenses, health & safety etc from PRS For Music, MU, etc.
When: Monday 28 June, 6.30-8.30pm
Where: PRS Boardroom 29-33 Berners Street, London W1T 3AB
Cost: Free, but pre-booking necessary
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: The Lovers Rock Story (rough cut version) screening, Q&A with director Menelik Shabazz, a fundraiser to complete this first theatrical film focused on the British created “romantic reggae” genre; BMC shorts
When: Friday 2nd July, 6.30-9.30pm
Where: Flash Musicals, Metheun Road, Edgware, Middlesex HA8 6EZ (8 minutes walk from Edgware station: Station Rd, Whitchurch Ln, Buckingham Rd, Chandos Crescent, Methuen Rd)
Cost: £5
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: Brent Black Music History Live Presents Ruff Cutt Band @ Brent Respect Festival. This will be a welcome return on home turf for the Ruff Cutt crew, who started their music project locally 30 years ago in 1980. So expect them to be on top form to show why they’ve been the no. 1 supporting band for many a visiting Jamaican reggae singer. Their set, which kicks off around
When: Sunday July 4, 1-8pm (Ruff Cutt set on main stage kicks off around 5.30pm)
Where: Roundwood Park, Between Londtone Avenue & Harlesden Road, Harlesden, London NW10 3SH
Cost: Free – everybody welcome!
What: Trailblazing British Black Music Album Anatomy: ‘Osibisa’ (MCA 1971). Panellists Teddy Osei (band leader), David Howells (head of marketing & A&R), Gerry Bron (management via video), Robin Denselow (journalist), Kwaku (chair, BBM/BMC), Julian Wall (facilitator, BPI) offer a rare opportunity to find out from some of the people who played a role in the success of ‘Osibisa’, which reached no. 11 in the album charts in 1971 at a time when prog rock ruled, and the ‘world music’ term had not yet been coined.
When: Monday July 5 2010, 6.30-8.30pm
Where: BPI, Riverside Building, County Hall, Westminster Bridge Road, London SE1 7JA
Cost: Free, but must pre-book
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: Black Music Records & African Crafts Fair. A fun day for all ages and races to check out for some hard to find records and bargains, handicrafts, Caribbean food on sale, networking, open mic plus live session by Black BritanYaa. It’s not Midem, but there’s nothing stopping selling your records here!
When: Saturday July 17, 3-6pm
Where: Mission Dine Club Centre, Fry Road, Harlesden, London NW10 4BZ (Venue: 020 8965 5797)
Cost: Free, but pre-booking necessary
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
What: The £10k New Music Entrepreneur Grant’s 10X6 Challenge. Akoben Awards, which is focused on promoting conscious music by artists of African descent, is looking to set a challenge for budding music entrepreneurs! Entrants must independently or withy the help of our mentors a viable project, business or significant target milestone within 3 months on Oct. 10 2010.
Who: Aged 18-25 of African descent? Focused, determined and a go-getter, natural born sales-person or blagger? Can you think out of the box and create a successful music business or project or achieve a significant target milestone with just £1k? If so, why not enter the 10X6 Challenge?
When: STOP PRESS: Due to technical problems, the deadline has been postponed to July 27 2010, and the application fee reduced to £1.
Opens June 1 and closes July 8. Application fee is £10 (reduced to £1 for applications until closing date). Deadline for entering your 2-4 page max plan is July 8, 8pm. Winning entrants informed on Saturday July 10. Remember: This is a grant, not a loan! You can improve your business planning skills by entering the Learn How To Create & Deliver Your Music Industry Business Plan Workshop on Saturday July 3, 10.30am-4.30pm, which is open to anyone whether or not you’ve entered the Challenge.(Further workshops may follow depending on demand).
To apply: For more information: akobenawards@gmail.com, http://bstop.net/microsite.php?id=125&user=Akoben%20Awards
What: Music Biz Empowerment Monday Half-Day Masterclasses. Accessible music industry professional development masterclasses offered to new entrants, and industryites interested in increasing their knowledge of specific subjects. Very small classes & 1-2-1s. Power-boost your knowledge of specialist areas in informal, but intensive half-day classes, led by music industry tutor Kwaku. Some classes may have guest speakers.
Where: Dexion House, Empire Way, Wembley, Middlesex HA9 0EF (4 minutes walk from Wembley Park tube station, 6 minutes walk from Wembley Stadium rail station; buses 83, 224, 182, 297)
Cost: £25 per class (£100 for 6 classes or workshop; £20 per class for AIM, PRS and MPA members)
To book or for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
When: Monday June 14, 10.30am-1.30pm, 2.30-5.30pm
Morning: Joining The Dots: Overview Of Understanding How Music Industry Works (guest speaker: Malcolm Buckland, PRS For Music Membership Development). Afternoon: ©, Contracts & Music Publishing (guest speaker: Kennedy Mensah, Back 2 Da Future Publishing MD),
When: Monday June 21, 10.30am-1.30pm, 2.30-5.30pm
Morning: What You Need To Know About Running Your Own Record Label (guest speaker: Michael Fuller, AIM head of legal), Afternoon: Managing Your Legal & Business Affairs (guest speaker: Dean Marsh, Independent Label Scheme/music industry lawyer)
When: Monday June 28, 10.30am-1.30pm, 1.30-4.30pm
Morning: Jack Of All Trades: Understanding Artist Management. Afternoon: DIY Marketing & PR (guest speaker: Andy Lysandrou, Audio Music Star owner)
What: Learn How To Create & Deliver Your Music Industry Business Plan Workshop. An opportunity for anyone, including the £10k New Music Entrepreneur’s 10X6 Challenge entrants, to learn the practicalities of putting together a music business plan and build the confidence to deliver. It’s led by music business adviser Boomy Tokan (Sledge Media/Portobello Business Centre music business consultant) and Kwaku (Akoben Awards)
When: Saturday July 3, 5 10.30am-4.30pm
Where: Mission Dine Club Centre, Fry Road, Harlesden, London NW10 4BZ (Venue: 020 8965 5797)
Cost: £10
To book and for more information: editor@britishblackmusic.com
BBMM Radio, TV & Video Specials
Colourful Radio is the BBMM2010 media partner. Get regular updates, and look out for BBMM specials by Lindsay Wesker and Dave VJ. Don’t forget to catch Colourful Radio head of music Gordon Mac talking about his old station at Kissing History: Reminiscing About 25 Years Of Kiss FM on Friday 25, 6.30-9pm @ Westminster City Hall by Victoria
WHAT: 100 Tunes That Put The Groove In Britain. Colourtelly, the world's first 24-hour black-interest news channel is looking for opinionated music buffs to take part in this new series, which kicks off on Sunday May 23, 12noon-2pm with BMC’s Kwaku as one of the panelists raving about their most favourite BBM track! If you know your black music, your black British history and your British black musical history, and you can hold your own in a discussion about music, then why not apply to join the panel for the live programme
When: Sundays, 12noon-2pm
Where: Colourtelly TV HQ in London N11
To apply: dotunadebayo@hotmail.com
What: Good Groove Guide. Larry Vidal will dig deeply into his crates to deliver classic British soul, jazz, disco and jazz-funk anthems
When: Friday June 4, 11pm-1am
Where: 91.8 FM, www.hayesfm.org.uk
What: Back 2 Da Future. Reggae journalist and DJ Da Prezedent will be rinsing classic British reggae and underground faves. Send him your reggae-tinged events to announce.
When: Saturday June 5, 7-9pm
Where: www.playvybz.com
What: Black Connections. Simon Akinwunmi and Maria Okenrende will focus their talks and music show on British black music and issues in and outside the sector
When: Sunday June 6, 4pm-6pm
Where: 91.8 FM, www.hayesfm.org.uk
What: The Truth. DJ Mr Jay (Soul Inc) has a quarter of DJing experience to rely on in selecting his choice BBM soul, R&B, disco, and funk classics and anthems. If you don’t catch him live you can listen again on podcast via iTunes, or www.djmrjay.podomatic.com
When: Wednesday June 9, 8-10pm
Where: http://funk.ssradiouk.com
What: Good Groove Guide. Repeat of June 4 show
When: Thursday June 10, 9-11pm
Where: 91.8 FM, www.hayesfm.org.uk
What: Sugar Sundays. Wayne C Macdonald & co will provide a special soundtrack to your Sunday night by concentrating on British R&B classics and anthems!
When: Sunday June 13, 9-11pm
Where: NE1FM, 102.5 FM, www.ne1fm.net
What: BBM/BMC Sponsored OvergroundOnline.com (OOC) Videos. Entertainment and culture online magazine OOC is undergoing a major upgrade. Hopefully it may re-launch in June, in which case the first BBM/BMC sponsored video will be our favourite track/video – McLean’s ‘Broken’. BBM subscribers can vote for their favourite British black music video from June 1 at www.britishblackmusic.com. The winning video will be revealed at the BBM/BMC film screening on July 2 at Flash Musicals in Edgware.
STOP PRESS: If you were wondering why the BMC had not convened its bi-annual debates since 2009, we felt after six years of organising debates at City University London, the next one should concentrate on upping our game by empowering those in the industry with up to date knowledge to best cope with an industry in a state of flux.
So from the end of 2008 we started working on an important conference, where the talking could move people really forward from a business point of view. That meant getting commitment from the Government minister whose remit underpinned the music industry's wheels, so the speak - Copyright.
Well, the Intellectual Property & Higher Education Minister the Rt Hon David Lammy MP was the guest of honour at the BMC convened Copyright + Music Industry + Music Industry Education: 2010, Where Are We At? Conference on Tuesday March 23 2010, 12noon-2pm at the House of Commons (a microsite with conference report and other resources should be ready by late April. In the meantime, we've posted a couple of conference photos below).
This conference was aimed at a wide audience, from key to marginalised stakeholders. This ranged from industry organisations such as UK Music, PRS, MU, PPL, to consumers, musicians, students, lecturers, and naturally, practitioners from the black music sector. Whilst keeping the quality of panellists high, we've kept the cost at a very accessible level - free!
It was, we believe the first music industry conference where a wide cross-section of stakeholders from legal, industry, education, rights users and consumers plus a government minister, had met in the same room to hear where each one was at and their views on current key issues.
We are also in the process of introducing a new mailing list management system via bstop.net, where you chose the lists you want, and can easily update or unsubscribe - 2010, is going to be the start of the 'new' for BMC.
Oh, we'll also be introducing the £10,000 New Music Entrepreneur Grant to kick start the careers of new ad young future music moguls - stay tuned and make sure you're on our mailing list - just email editor@britishblackmsic.com, subject: add me to your mailing list.
June Is British Black Music Month is not far off - it's you've got a partnership proposal - let's hear from you (see below for more on the BBMM initiative).
We have a new members registration system which should be quick and easy to use - sign up for free to submit content to the BBM site, enter our competitions and join in the BBM debate in our discussion boards.
Despite British Black Music Month (BMMM) being bigger in 2009, we had a relatively quiet year, and for good reason. BBM/BMC is in the middle of restructuring in order to best serve our constituents, and we'll be revealing some of our plans in the first quarter of 2010.
Thanks to those who supported BBMM, and the OCN Level 2 music industry overview course introduced by our sister organisation Akoben Awards (to be kept in the loop: akobenawards@gmail.com), and our BTWSC co-organised activities.
For some fun and hopefully a source of debate well into the new year, click to check out The 40 influential British Black Music DJs of the last 40 years! Or else if you want to reflect, you can check out a 1986 Billboard piece which covered an NME feature entitled 'Why British Black Music Does Not Stand A Chance', or check out which British artists I got pundits to tip across 6 different genres for a 2001 Billboard piece entitled 'Black Music In The U.K'.
We plan to post a review of 2009, but before that feature comes online, let's cast our minds two years back to Jan. 2008, when we had our last major forum at City University London. Click to read Rewinding 2 Years To Jan. 2008.
However, if you'd rather just have something to watch - here are some videos which represent British black music in 2009: 2009 UK Rap Up: Mystro's video wrap up, and 2009 Crossovers: The 1Xtra Video Selection.
All the best,
Kwaku
BBM editor
editor@britishblackmusic.com
020 8450 5987
IP & HE minister David Lammy MP and Kwaku (BBM/BMC)
L-R: Kwaku (BBM/BMC), Feargal Sharkey (UK MUSIC), John Kennedy (IFPI), Billy Grant (2Point9 Management), Horace Trubridge (MU)
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