The PRS Foundation in the UK has launched a new long-term initiative, ‘Power Up’, which aims to support Black music creators and industry practitioners and address anti-Black racism within the sector. ‘Power Up’ aims to tackle the barriers that face Black music industry creators, professionals and executives in light of the Black Lives Matter movement.

As part of the project, PRS is seeking twenty Black music creators and twenty Black industry professionals to apply to take part in the Power Up Participant Programme. The programme will offer its participants grants of up to £15,000, capacity building and mentoring, marketing support and access to a wider network of partner music organisations including Creative Scotland, AIM, the Ivors Academy, and PPL, as well as PRS for Music and PRS Members’ Fund. Participants can be working in any genre or sector of the music industry and in of need support to progress their careers. The deadline for applications is 10 March. 

A more equitable music industry
The wider Power Up initiative aims to create – in alliance with the Black Music Coalition – a more equitable music industry for Black creators and industry professionals; better representation in all sectors of the UK music industry; support innovative and promising Black talent to create exceptional new music in all genres and at all career levels; and to highlight the work of Black creators and industry professionals to accelerate change. 

Over 80 Black music creators and industry professionals have contributed to the project as part of a steering committee, including Artist Manager and Consultant Keith Harris OBE, Lawyer and Chair of the Black Music Coalition Sheryl Nwosu, and Senior Manager at PRS Yaw Owusu. 

Commenting on the new initiative, Harris said:

Last year in the wake of the George Floyd episode so much was promised in terms of shifting the dial to improve the situation for minorities in the music industry, so little has so far been delivered. Power Up is an important step towards that delivery.

For further details on Power Up, visit: https://prsfoundation.com/powerup/