Power Up has revealed the music creators, industry professionals and executives who will make up Year 5 of the multi-award winning initiative.
Co-founded by PRS Foundation and Ben Wynter, Power Up’s Participant Programme elevates pioneering Black talent and is a key feature of the long-term initiative launched to address anti-Black racism and racial disparities in the music sector.
The programme – designed to fit the needs of each annual cohort of participants – assists in the development of their careers and practice, to empower creators and professionals and to push for change across the industry. This includes grant support of up to £10,000 alongside offering masterclasses, mentoring, coaching, mental health and wellbeing support, and access to value support from Power Up Partners and the peer network.
Since Power Up was launched in early 2021, over 1,697 Black music creators and industry professionals have applied for a place on the programme. During its fifth year, Power Up will be publishing a 5 Years Of Power Up report, highlighting the impacts of the programme while sharing learnings in order to inspire active approaches to tackling anti-Black racism and to improve the experiences of Black creatives in music.
Power Up also recently welcomed new partnerships from Amazon Music, Warner Music UK and the Blavatnik Family Foundation, and Universal Music Group. All three investments will support and strengthen the programme through residentials and other activities offered to participants.
Ben Wynter, co-founder of Power Up, commented: "Congratulations to our new Year 5 Power Up participants! This milestone marks five years of the programme and a vibrant network of 200 Black music creators and industry professionals whose impact is being felt across the UK and beyond. From award-winning talent to senior execs shaping the future of the industry, Power Up has become a launchpad for brilliance, innovation, and leadership."
“It’s so rewarding to see so many exceptionally talented and dedicated individuals getting the support they deserve and joining our supportive and progressive network and programme,” added senior Power Up manager Yaw Owusu. “The journey that these Year 5 Participant programme cohort members will go on will surely enable them to feel fortified to break through their individual and collective barriers. We again rejoice at the breadth of excellence across the industry and the UK, and we must thank our partners for supporting year on year to enable us to do this vital work at the level necessary. As we are reflecting on the impact of the initiative so far, I’m looking forward to sharing learnings with the wider music sector during this programme year.”
This year’s Power Up participants are:
Music creators:
AKS
BLACK JOSH
Blue Lab Beats
ButhoTheWarrior
Charisse C
Chiedu Oraka
DJ Q
Eerf Evil
Eva Lazarus
Eyve
Jay Weathers
JNR Williams
Kenzie TTH
Leo Miyagee
Lily Beau
Not3s
Peter Xan
Roxanne Tataei
Sans Soucis
Sheila Maurice-Grey
TEE
Music industry professionals:
Alain ‘Fusion’ Clapham
Alicia Esambe
Anu Omideyi
Charlotte-Anne Myler
Danny West
Deborah Yewande Bankole
Jeremiah Gogo
Jurango
Kay George
Kinaya Said Ibrahim
Lunick Bourgess
Makeda Krish
Miss C Brown
Mr Darcy
Natasha Hendry
NGAIO/Booty Bass
Osama Izevbigie
SILVASTONE
SIOBHAN BROWN
TK
