British Black Music Month kicks off May 28 In Brent
British Black Music Month (BBMM), an initiative started by the Black Music Congress in 2006 to celebrate domestic black music, address issues within the sector, and to improve music industry knowledge, kicks off with a launch on May 28. The launch at Willesden Green Library Centre in Willesden, will include networking, the Great British Black Music Quiz, a showcase by up and coming Brent artists singer-songwriter Brie Boateng and rapper Tayshan. There will also be an announcement regarding the £10k New Music Entrepreneur Grant’s 10X6 Challenge for budding music entrepreneurs aged 18-25.
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 10×6 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
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
What: Talking Copyright: Reflecting On A 300 Year History & The Entertainment Industry. Panellists including Kienda Hoji (lawyer/head of Uni. Of Westminster commercial music),
What: British Black Gospel: An Invisible Industry? Author of ‘British Black Gospel: The Foundations Of This Vibrant UK Sound’ Steve Smith leads a panel including singer Chidi, historian Kevin Tomlin, and musician Linton Beckles lead on an investigation as to whether Britain has a 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: [email protected]
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: Charlie Wright’s, 45 Pitfield Street, Hoxton, London N1 6DA (Venue: 020 7490 8345)
Cost: Free, but pre-booking necessary
To book and for more information: [email protected]
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, PPL, 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: [email protected]
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 from Edgware station)
Cost: £5/£3
To book and for more information: [email protected]
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) Roundwood Park NW10 3SH
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: [email protected]
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: [email protected]
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: Opens June 1 and closes July 8. Application fee is £10 (reduced to £1 for applications made in June). 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.
To apply: All information will be accessible from June 1 at www.britishblackmusic.com. For more information: [email protected].
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: [email protected]
When: Monday June 14, 10.30am-1.30pm, 2.30-5.30pm
Morning: Joining The Dots: Overview Of Understanding How Music Industry Works. Afternoon: What You Need To Know About Running Your Own Record Label (guest speaker: Michael Fuller, AIM head of legal)
When: Monday June 21, 10.30am-1.30pm, 2.30-5.30pm
Morning: ©, Contracts & Music Publishing (guest speaker: Kennedy Mensah, Back 2 Da Future Publishing MD), 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: tbc)
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) 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: [email protected]
