New report reveals Black music’s staggering worth to UK economy
"This report is both a celebration and a call to action"
By Nick Reilly
An extensive new report has revealed that Black music has accounted for a massive 80 per cent of the UK’s revenue from recorded music over the past three decades.
The new report from UK music is titled “Black Music Means Business: Driving Economic Growth in the UK” and specifically shows that the figures amount to £24.5billion out of a total £30billion.
The report offers a comprehensive look at the cultural and commercial impact of Black music, which is defined as genres with origins in both Black traditions and the African diaspora.
In the report, genres were categorised into three groups to individually reflect their financial contributions. Black British genres included grime and dubstep, which accounted for over £1.24billion. Core Black music genres, which took in hip-hop and Motown, accounted for £4.83billion in sales. Genres originating from Black music but produced by British artists, including blues and pop, accounted for a staggering £11.9billion.
The research is compiled from data spanning from 1994 to 2023, alongside interviews and roundtable discussions with artists and leading industry executives.
Though the report cited the success of Black artists such as Little Simz, Central Cee, Dave, RAYE, Stormzy, SAULT, Ezra Collective and Michael Kiwanuka, it also noted a lack of support for Black music creators and executives.
At senior industry levels, just 22 per cent of the workforce identify as Black, Asian or minority ethnic, compared to 46 per cent of London’s population. Black artists and professionals also face disparities in contracts, pay, funding and support, including a previously documented 20 per cent pay gap.
To address the disparity, the report recommends supporting the recognition of Black music genres within the school curriculum, a new government-led investment to bolster Black music, and stronger industry support for performance venues and recording studios.
The new recommendations are outlined in full below.
- Institutional funding & co-design – Support performance spaces and recording studios, Black Music archives and cultural landmarks with institutional funding, co-designed with government.
- Language & genre authenticity – Back the collective use and definitions of the term “Black Music”.
- Music Education review – Recognition of Black Music genres as a core part of school and tertiary education curricula.
- Growth investment – A proportion of government’s £30m Music Growth Package to support Black Music genres, Black-led organisations and enterprises.
- Export development – Call on the Department for Business and Trade to back Black Music internationally.
- Inclusive community access – Integrate Black music into local regeneration plans.
- Robust data collection – Increase investment in comprehensive, evidence-based research on Black music.
- Develop equitable partnerships between industry and Black music practitioners
Paulette Long OBE, Vice Chair UK Music Diversity Taskforce, said: “Black Music has shaped the sound and global success of British music for decades, yet its true commercial value has never been fully recognised. This report makes clear that its contribution is undeniable.
“The data shows that Black Music is a central commercial driver of the UK music industry, but it also reveals a clear opportunity gap. If we want continued growth and global competitiveness, we must invest in the infrastructure, talent, and leadership behind it. This report is both a celebration and a call to action.”
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. It generates pivotal economic success to both the industry and UK economy as a whole. UK Music wants this report to not only be a point of reference but also a basis for facilitating change and positive action through its recommendations. We must not just recognise this fantastic achievement, but use it to meet our intention to achieve an industry that is genuinely reflective of the full diversity of the UK.”
New exhibition The Music is Black: A British Story, celebrating Black British music, opens at the V&A East Museum in London next month.