Black Music generates £24.5bn for economy as a landmark report calls for 'nurturing' of Leeds' creative hubs
The first-ever comprehensive study into the economic impact of Black Music reveals it powers 80% of the UK’s recorded music market, as industry leaders call for better support for Northern infrastructure.
A landmark report released today (March 17) has revealed the staggering economic weight of Black Music in Britain, contributing a massive £24.5 billion to the UK music industry over the last 30 years.
The study, titled ‘Black Music Means Business’, is the first of its kind in Europe, tracking 30 years of data from 1994 to 2023 to prove that Black Music is not just a cultural phenomenon, but the central engine driving the UK’s global musical success.
In Leeds, a city with a deep-rooted heritage in genres ranging from reggae and soul to the cutting edge of the modern UK rap scene, the findings offer a powerful validation of the local creative economy.
The report, commissioned by UK Music, breaks the industry down into three tiers. Tier 1, consisting of purely Black British genres like Grime and Garage, contributed £1.24 billion alone.
However, the report also highlights a stark opportunity gap; despite Black Music driving 80% of the market's value, the study found that at senior industry levels, only 22% of the workforce identify as Black, Asian, or minority ethnic.
Ammo Talwar MBE, Chair of the UK Music Diversity Taskforce, said: “The report should give us great optimism for the future of Black British Music. However, this phenomenal cultural force must be nurtured.”
For a city like Leeds, which has birthed internationally recognised talent and maintains a thriving independent club scene, the report's recommendations are particularly timely.
Industry leaders are now calling for a "roadmap" to a fairer industry, including a review of music education and a demand that the Government’s £30m Music Growth Package be used to support Black-led organisations and performance spaces.
Tom Kiehl, Chief Executive of UK Music, added: “This groundbreaking report demonstrates the integral role that Black Music plays in powering music in the UK. UK Music wants this report to not only be a point of reference but also a basis for facilitating change and positive action.”
The study also offers an official industry definition of ‘Black Music,’ describing it as music rooted in the culture and traditions of the African diaspora, regardless of the ethnicity of the performers.
Key recommendations from the 'Black Music Means Business' report
Institutional Funding and Cultural Landmarks
The report calls for a new era of "co-design" between the industry and the government. This includes securing institutional funding to protect and support essential performance spaces, recording studios, and Black Music archives.
By treating these as vital cultural landmarks—similar to museums or traditional galleries—the industry can ensure that the physical spaces where Black British music is born are preserved for future generations.
Education Reform and Genre Authenticity
A key pillar of the roadmap is a comprehensive review of the national music education curriculum.
The study argues that Black Music genres should be recognised as a core part of school and tertiary education, ensuring that the history and technicality of these sounds are taught with authenticity.
Furthermore, it encourages the widespread adoption of the report’s official definition of ‘Black Music’ to provide a standard framework across all sectors of the industry.
Global Export Power and Investment
To maintain the UK’s status as a global leader, the report urges the Department for Business and Trade to specifically back Black Music as a key export.
It recommends that a significant portion of the government’s £30m Music Growth Package be strategically invested in Black-led organisations and enterprises.
This move would help bridge the "opportunity gap" and ensure that the artists who create the value also have the resources to compete on a global scale.
Local Regeneration and Community Access
The ‘Black Music Means Business’ study emphasises the need to integrate Black music hubs into local city regeneration plans.
Rather than being pushed to the fringes, music spaces and creative hubs should be seen as central to the growth of cities like Leeds.
By providing inclusive community access and developing equitable partnerships between the industry and local practitioners, the report believes we can unlock even further economic growth at a grassroots level.