Correlation between BLACMEX and the latest report from UK Music Ltd on the value of the Black music economy.
Before we exam the individual recommendations of the Black Music Means Business Report from UK Music Ltd, it is essential to establish the economic context both documents share. Over the last 30 years, the UK's recorded music market has generated an impressive £30 billion, of which an estimated £24.5 billion — more than 80% of the total — is music originating from Black music genres. This is the commercial fact underpinning everything BLACMEX has argued.
In our open letter, BLACMEX states that Black British music has shaped global culture and positioned the UK as a creative leader on the world stage, driving billions in economic value — and that these genres are far from fringe or niche, but central to the UK's contemporary cultural identity and international influence. There is an undeniable Soft Power value to the Black music genres created and/or nurtured in the UK.
"Yet despite this success, the infrastructure supporting Black music remains fragile, underfunded, and structurally disadvantaged." — BLACMEX Open Letter, 2026
The Black Music Means Business report documents exactly the same gap: there is a lack of support for Black music creators and executives, with a disconnect amongst grassroots Black music scenes across the UK. These two documents are describing the same reality from complementary vantage points — industry data and policy advocacy — and their convergence is what makes them so powerful when read together.
View BLACMEX Open Letter to UK Government, click here
View Black Music Means Business Report from UK Music Ltd, click here
BLACMEX MUSIC SECTOR MAPPING
As always, we continue to highlight our music sector mapping initiative and draw your attention to the importance of completing the relevant form(s);
😉 Talent-supportive organisations, register at BLACMEX MUSIC ORGANISATIONS MAPPING INITIATIVE Form
🎵 For Music Creators, register at BLACMEX MUSIC CREATORS Form
⭐️ Artist managers and self-managed artists register live performances at