Announcing the Participants for Year 5 in Power Up Event
Power Up, the multi-award winning initiative co-founded by PRS Foundation and Ben Wynter, has announced the new participants for its fifth year. This year's programme aims to elevate Black talent and address anti-Black racism in the music sector, marking a significant milestone of five years and a network of 200 Black music creators and professionals impacting the UK music industry.
The new cohort of 41 Black music creators and industry professionals includes AKS, BLACK JOSH, Blue Lab Beats, ButhoTheWarrior, Charisse C, and many others. This list is part of a broader group of talented individuals who will receive grant support, masterclasses, mentoring, coaching, mental health and wellbeing support, and access to value support from Power Up Partners and the peer network.
The programme has welcomed new partnerships from Amazon Music, Warner Music UK, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, Universal Music Group, and others. These partnerships will further enhance the support offered to the participants, providing them with a wider range of opportunities and resources.
Power Up's Participant Programme has received overwhelming interest since its launch in early 2021, with over 1,697 Black music creators and industry professionals applying for a place on the programme. The initiative's commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the music industry is evident in the sheer number of applicants and the quality of talent it attracts.
Among the notable figures in the music industry who have joined Power Up are Danny West, Natasha Hendry, Osama Izevbigie, Sans Soucis, Anu Omideyi, Charlotte-Anne Myler, NGAIO/Booty Bass, Makeda Krish, Jurango, Lunick Bourgess, SILVASTONE, Jeremiah Gogo, SIOBHAN BROWN, Roxanne Tataei, Alain 'Fusion' Clapham, Mr Darcy, Kay George, Sheila Maurice-Grey, and Miss C Brown.
In celebration of its fifth year, Power Up will be publishing a 5 Years Of Power Up report during its fifth year, highlighting the impacts of the programme and sharing learnings. This report will serve as a testament to the success of the initiative and its impact on the UK music industry.
The Power Up music initiative continues to make a significant contribution to the music industry by supporting and elevating Black talent, fostering diversity, and addressing anti-Black racism. The fifth year promises to be an exciting one, with the new participants poised to make their mark in the industry.
[1] PRS Foundation. (2021). Power Up Music Initiative. [Online] Available at: https://www.prsfoundation.com/what-we-do/our-programmes/power-up/ [5] PRS Foundation. (2022). Power Up Music Initiative Announces New Participants for Year 5. [Online] Available at: https://www.prsfoundation.com/news/power-up-music-initiative-announces-new-participants-for-year-5/
- The new participants of Power Up's fifth year, such as AKS, BLACK JOSH, Blue Lab Beats, ButhoTheWarrior, Charisse C, and others, will leverage grant support, masterclasses, mentoring, and access to resources from Power Up Partners and the peer network to elevate Black talent in the UK music industry.
- Expanding its reach, Power Up has established partnerships with Amazon Music, Warner Music UK, the Blavatnik Family Foundation, Universal Music Group, and others, equipping its participants with a broader range of opportunities and resources in finance, business, entertainment, and music sectors.
