This is the temporary holding site for BritishBlackmusic.com (BBM) and Black Music Congress (BMC)
Our focus is on the British market. Entry in our competitions is bound by rules at the top of Competitions.

We are currently asking visitors to this site to nominate their favourite singles or album tracks, and albums for the British Black Music List 2005, which will be published mid-October. Click to make your British Black Music List 2005 nomination. There are some goodies each week in July 2005, then monthly there after until the first week in October.

To join the BBM/BMC mailing list, please write to: editor@britishblackmusic.com subject: put me on your mailing list  

                               Click to see archived pages 

Next BMC debate is on June 25 2005, 3-6pm. The format's different this time. No panellists, just the people reporting on progress since January 2005 debate. If you have done something within the black music sector that is worth knowing about, this is the forum for it. We will make no time for gripes, complaints or why didn't Bob Geldof have more black artists on Live 8 (click to see our response) type issues.

The will be a quick-fire quiz, with each round champion winning a prize, and The State Of British Black Music address to kick things off - so be there early!

We'll be supporting a few worthwhile causes, such as the Urban Concepts, who will show their moving 'Why?' Don't Trigger campaign video. A fun quiz, plus a short presentation on the State Of British Black Music will precede 'British Black Music: Where Is It At? Cause For Celebration Or Lament?'  To book: www.bbm-on.net/TheBookingForm.asp

If you can't be there on the day, you can contribute by emailing us your contribution before hand. If you're not on our email mailing list, and would like to be kept informed about our upcoming events, please write to: editor@britishblackmusic.com subject: put me on your mailing list.

Our sister organisation BTWSC (www.btwsc.com) has a free 14 week music & media Industry course on Mondays, starting May 16, 3-8pm. It is also requesting for nominations of worthy youths for the Brent Youth Spotlight 2005. Nominations close June 30 2005, edu-tainment ceremony takes place Friday July 15, 6-30-8.30pm. Mastermind 2004 winner Shaun Wallace is guest of honour. 

Call Ms Serwah 020 8450 5987, mail her on info@btwsc.com or check out: www.btwsc.com. 

UK UNSIGNED FINALS
UK UNSIGNED Reggae Finals: Respect Festival, Burgess Park,  Saturday 6th July; UK UNSIGNED Rock Finals: London Astoria with US Rock band AMEN; UK UNSIGNED Grand Finals: Hackney Empire, 2 Shows. Matinees 2-5pm &

Evening 7pm-1pm. Featuring Fun-Dmental (UK UNSIGNED Songwriter winners 2004) and Rowetta from ITV’s X-Factor. UK UNSIGNED Winners Showcase & Party at the home of UK UNSIGNED, the Silver Spoon Club, Wembley Complex, Behind Wembley Stadium Block 5, featuring Fun-Dmental. Call SABA 0207 377 8545 or visit www.gigsoline.co.uk

LONDON LIG
People with long memories will remember that music confabs based in London don’t last. In The City, for example has lasted because it’s outside London. The last major attempt was London Music Week, which had a scoop by having the then very hot Puff Daddy as one of its panellists.

Look out for British Music Week, an “event with a long term strategy to promote and safeguard the future of British Music”. This event aims to champion British music, bringing the component parts of industry together through a series of seminars, workshops and showcase events on November 11-12 2005 at Wembley Conference & Exhibitions Centre.  For more info: Kizzy Donaldson on 0870 743 6653, kizzy@britishmusicweek.com

FRENCH ROAD
Exhibition Road Music Day: London's home of Fête de la Musique is on June 21. That’s when London’s Exhibition Road area comes alive, as the French take over to demonstrate some French culture (though as passionate as the French are, popular French music seems to have a heavy influence of either British pop/electronica, African and African-American music!). Free live concerts! www.exhibitionroadmusicday.org

WORLD DJ
The International World Beat DJ Award competition at the end of
September 2005 aims to give support to the multicultural beats culture. There’ll be award will include a £1000 advance to the winner to put together a world beat compilation of no more than 12 songs. DJs, solo or duos, will be using whatever format they fancy, as long as what’s in the grooves are influenced by African, Arabic, Turkish, Asian, Latin, Celtic, Balkan, and similar non-Western pop styles. www.hubblebubble.net

YOUNG MIXERS
SonyBMG and Apple Computers are behind the RMX 05 compo to give glory to under-19’s remixers. Using Apple’s GarageBand software and samples by the likes of Faithless and Natasha Bedingfield, the winner’s work may will get a commercial release. He or she is however guranteed £2000 worth of Apple remixing kit. www.youthmusic.org.uk/rmx05

GLOBAL AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE
Web mag Afritopic is content-rich with wide coverage, of which arts, music and culture, form a useful proportion. Afritopic “aims to provide African descendants and the multicultural communities world-wide with historical, current, cultural, educative as well as useful, motivational and inspirational information”. www.afritopic.com/

VERBAL COMES THROUGH
“About a year ago, I told you that I was going to find and develop the next big thing in this country. I have found her, and at the same time, I have found out how foolish the whole of the U.K. music industry really is,” says former BMC panellist Richie Pascoe. His discovery is much-touted teenage actress and singer-raptress Verbalicious (Natalia Keery-Fisher), who recently scored a hit with her first single.

PERFORMERS’ PERFORMANCE DOSH
Artists and their managers need not look towards PPL’s PRC, AURA or PAMRA, in order to source their radio performance payouts. Music Data Tracking can collect your phonographic performance royalties. Established since 1996, it represents a number of dance music sector actists, such Joey Negro, X-Press 2, and Layo & Bushwacka. www.MusicDataTracking.com

AFRICAN EDUCATION
Aduna is an “exciting new educational organisation that seeks to facilitate
learning about Africa by actively engaging UK-based pupils with African artists
and musicians, African heritage groups and with school children on the
continent. Learning materials (including musical instruments, household objects, textiles and articles for adornment) will be commissioned in Africa using fair trade approaches. Packs and teachers' guidelines will be generated so that these
materials can be used in the classroom to facilitate debate and learning about
their functional, social and cultural purpose. Other learning resources will be
developed that will accompany on-line exchange with African school children,
live music performances in schools, visits to museums, festivals or specialist
events in the UK and exchange trips to Africa. sarrcastle@yahoo.com
www.aduna.org.uk

AFRO-SOUNDS
Talented London-based Soul:ID call their music ‘Afropean Soul’. Now we hear of a UK rap crew called Afrosaxon. Their debut single  ‘You'll Never Know’ drops June 30 via Striking Hands Music, Natural Selection Recordings, and Rush Hour distribution.

QUIET BANG
 Some of you may remember that we kicked off our Welcome To Harlesbridge sessions last year with ‘Bang Bang In Da Manor’, a revealing exposé on London’s guns and drugs business. Last month, the BBC became the first UK broadcaster to air it. But putting it on the BBC 3 meant not a lot of people had the opportunity to see the film.

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE FILM APPRENTICE SCHEME
Migrant Media, the producers of the international award winning film ‘Injustice’ are offering the opportunity for young people to join their documentary feature apprentice scheme. The scheme will offer training, insight and valuable experience in documentary film production. You will learn technical skills as well as the political and marketing skills required in this kind of film production. It’s open to Haringey residents only. 07770 432 439. info@injusticefilm.co.uk

JJC RISING
Last year at the Respect Festival, now re-named Rise Festival, I felt it was recorded, rather than live, vocals that dominated Big Brovaz’s performance. I also wondered with a platinum album and several hit singles, where their live performance was just like any PA. Big Brovaz founder-producer Skillz, who was head-nodding to his charge’s performance in the audience, now gets to do his thing fro the stage this year.

Skillz goes under the JJC moniker to spread his Afro-hip-hop fusion. JJC & 419 Squad (1.25pm - 1.45pm) have been confirmed for this year’s Rise Festival, which will take place on Saturday, July 16, at Burgess Park, London, SE5, from 12 noon to 8.30 pm. Others on the bill include Lemar, Mitchell Brothers, Kano, Horace Andy, Eska.

MORE AFRICAN WORLD VIEW
‘Africa On Your Street’ is a BBC Radio 3 interactive website where you can find out about the African music scene in the UK and beyond.  A number of on-line hosts offer tips on gigs, clips of their favourite CDs, news and gossip.  One of these hosts is London-based Nigerian artist/ producer JJC.  To read his current column (June 2005): www.bbc.co.uk/radio3/africaonyourstreet/jjc.shtml. Read about the exposure of African music in the media (such as MTV Base Africa and BBC 1Xtra’s D.N.A.), explore some great new African talents, such as Emmanuel Jal, Sunny Neji and X2, and listen to audio clips.  Make sure to leave your thoughts in JJC’s comments section at the bottom of the page.  

BBC’s currently covering Africa across its radio and TV networks under the Africa Lives banner. www.bbc.co.uk/africalives/ . Meanwhile london’s multi-cultural Africa 05 event is still rolling on: www.bbc.co.uk/bbcafrica/africa05/

BLACK GROUPS CRITICISE OVERLY WHITE LIVE 8 LONDON LINE UP
London based campaign group Black Information Link have criticised
organisers of the UK’s Live 8 concert of selecting a “hideously white” line
up. They are angry that, while 50 Cent, Stevie Wonder and Jay-Z are all due
to take part in the Philadelphia Live 8 event, the only artist on the London
bill who could be said to come from an ethnic minority community is Mariah
Carey.

Writing on the Black Information Link website, black musician Patrick
Augustus, claims black artists have been “totally excluded” from the London
concert. He says: “It seems like the great white man has come to rescue us
while the freedom fighters never get a mention”. He added that Live 8
organisers “need to engage British, African and Jamaican artists who have
been dealing with these subjects for a while. Where are the reggae artists
that have been campaigning for truth and justice over all these years?”

Since this report, acts such as Youssou N’Dour, J-Zay and Snoop Dogg, have been added.

BBM/BMC comment:
As you may know, we have decided not to spend our time and energies discussing Bob Geldof and Live 8 at the upcoming Black Music Congress session on June 25. For what it’s worth, here are our thoughts on the issue:

Whilst one cannot deny the general good Bob Geldof does in challenging us as consumers, to dip our hands in our pockets, and political leaders to change policy, however, by not having a reasonable representation of black, particularly African, artists, it does smack of paternalism.

I’m sure it’s not his intention to be patronising. However, he has to take cognisance of the sensitivities of the black people he’s put himself out to help. He may not have many black artist pals in his address book, but that can not be an excuse for a man who’s proved so resourceful in getting the impossible done, once he’s put his mind to it. 

Hey, on the other hand, soul music’s being represented by Joss Stone, and jazz by Jamie Callum. On a more serious note - there is nothing stopping black artists doing their own thing.

We don’t have to wait for our black superstars, because many of them are preoccupied with materialism – the money they spend on their bling-bling lifestyle could help many an African family or community. The only major black-led initiative that comes to mind was the one-off We Are The World project by American artists, such as Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.

Those with a heart and a burning passion should remember that there is virtue in doing things on a grass-roots level – everything does not necessarily have to be at the same level of Band Aid, Live Aid or Live8. It can still be a worthwhile exercise without – it’s doing something sincerely that matters, not offering to come on board only because media coverage is guaranteed, which I believe is the main motivation for many of the artists we see on Live 8 and its ilk.

Of course there may be some black artists or music industry people doing or planning things on similar lines as Bob Geldof. In which case, the Black Music Congress would be grateful if they can feed that information into its next meeting on June 25 at City University London entitled ‘British Black Music: Where Is It At? Cause For Celebration Or Lament?’

By the way, to see how reads these things, if you intend attending the June 25 BMC session, then click I Want A Free CD On June 25. The first ten to attend and claim will receive a free CD!

BLAK TWANG TOUR DATES
Blak Twang heads out on a club tour this month to promote recent album release ‘The Rotton Club’ (second single ‘Travellin’ drops Aug. 15). 3 Jun: Oxford, Beats'N'Rhymes; 4 Jun: Liverpool, Chibuku; 5 Jun: Dublin, Bud Rising; 17 Jun: Cardiff, Toucan Club; 18 Jun: Peterborough, The Park; 24 Jun: Taunton, Aura; 25 Jun: London Jazz Café; 30 Jun: Stratford-upon-Avon, Cox's Yard; 9 Jul: Coventry, Godiva Festival; 22 Jul: London, Canvas.

TANTY WEB
Dub reggae specialist label Tanty is reaching out labels and artists who wish to sell their dub releases online please note that its new address for all artwork/flyers/posters and web links is now: www.tantyrecordshop.com   

MORE REGGAE VIBES
The Royal Family of Reggae Morgan Heritage support this month’s release of their ‘Full Circle’ album with a three date tour across Blighty with Ras Shiloh, Jahmali  andVincent Nap in support slot. Sunday 26th June - The Coronet, London; Monday 27th June - The Academy, Birmingham; Tuesday 28th June - The Empire, Milton

WHAT’S BLACK MUSIC?
IS BLACK MUSIC is the 104.4 Resonance FM radio show that explores the question “What IS BLACK MUSIC?" and black culture by highlighting maverick artist of African decent. It started a new six week series from Monday May (5:00-6:30pm). The series will have exclusive interviews and performances. Artist featured include  Felix Cross, Luc Sutherland, Saul Williams, Sonia Boyce, Greg Tate, Melvin Van Peeples, Matana Roberts, Errolyn Wallen and Paul D. Miller. terrywithart.inlondon@virgin.net 

SUBSCRIBERS’ MISSIVES
Excepts from mail from BBM/BMC subscribers:

1.

“Just thought I would write to give my support to your campaign to spread the word on black music and educate those amongst us who require knowledge of the music industry, and the part black Britain plays within the industry as a whole.  Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the seminar on 'What can be done to build a British Black Music Industry'. I would be interested to know what was the outcome of the discussion and were there any specific resolutions made by the attendees. 

“The Americans are able to build such an industry, therefore so should the British. From my own personal view the easiest way to build a British Black music industry is simple. That simple answer is - 'do business with each other', black on black business relationships can only be of benefit to the whole community. Otherwise, the principle of 'divide and conquer' will persist, and at present British black music is fragmented. Do not run to the major labels every time a producer has a hot tune - that’s how black music gets gobbled up into the 'system', which gives them a short term fix of money and do not develop the artist or producer to reach their full potential.

“From my experiences in America, that is how they succeed. For example, DMX, Ludacris, Outcaste, their, agent, manager, lawyer, accountants etc. are all black people. The money circulates within and thereafter those same people bring in a trainee who is black, thereby strengthening their position within the black community and the music industry as a whole. The principle is 'each one teach one'.”

2.

“I work for a youth centre in London. For some time we have been happily playing the likes of Choice Fm or Kiss FM to a predominantly BME client group aged 16-21. However, recently and for no apparent reason, it has become a rule that only Capital is to be played because when young people hear the "thumping music they become aggressive" and are likely to "kick off". This decision has come from management, who are white.

“I find this issue very offensive.  It is as if the struggle and fight for black music to be accepted in mainstream has been for nothing. It is also an insult to those young people who may be interested in taking up a career as a musician/artist. I wonder what your thoughts on the issue are?”

3.

“I am a budding, unsigned musician - an all-rounder: composer, producer, vocalist, instrumentalist with reggae, R&B, dancehall, soca music in my spine.  Black music is always evolving internationally, but the pace, trend and quality of British black music is adjusting too slowly.  Something is going wrong.  We black musicians in the UK seem to have been side-lined nationally.  Why can't we have more no1 hits on Top-of-the-Pops or obtain awards?  Why do we have to resort to Uncle Sam?

“MOBO 2004 was garbage.  If we continue like this, the future of black music will be bleak or dead.  Let's Go Back to Basics.  THESE ARE MY VIEWS.  Please keep in touch with me because together we can make a difference.  Send me all details of music events/trends.  I am a musician and an academic. Let's reason.  Respect.”

Updated June 13 2005