Power Up has announced the opening of its participant programme application process for this ground-breaking new initiative managed by PRS Foundation.

Black music creators and industry professionals have just under a month to apply to the programme, with the application deadline set at Wednesday 10th March (6pm). Successful applicants will be announced in April 2021. 

‘Power Up’ aims to break down barriers to create a fairer, more equitable music industry, to achieve better representation in all sectors of the UK music industry, and to amplify the work of Black creators and industry professionals, through two strands, the Power Up Participant Programme and the Power Up Movement.

The Power Up Participant Programme is a long-term network addressing barriers facing 40 Black participants (20 Black music creators and 20 Black executives and industry professionals) each year. Participants will be at crucial career stages, working in any genre or sub-sector, and will be in need of support to progress, powering up through:

• Grant support of up to £15,000
• Capacity building and mentoring
• Support from partners
• Marketing support

In alliance with the Black Music Coalition, the Power Up Movement will set targets and apply industry pressure to increase Black representation, empower and advocate for Black talent and industry professionals, consequently influencing policy and shaping the future of the music.

The Black Lives Matter movement highlighted the need for conversations around the structural and systemic anti-Black racism that occurs in today’s society. #TheShowMustBePausedUK in June 2020 led to more open discussions within music which brought to light the many barriers that face Black talent, including structural and systemic racism and injustice, everyday prejudice in the workplace, marginalisation and underrepresentation, economic inequality, and inequitable financial benefit.

A whole host of some of the most acclaimed names in Black British music have already come on board with the programme as ambassadors. This is from all walks of the industry with label figureheads, platform founders, artists, DJ’s and presenters and more all on board. Just to name a few we have0207 Def Jam’s Alec Boateng, Disturbing London’s Dumi Oburota, GRM Daily’s Koby ‘Posty’ Hagan, Link Up TV’s Rashid Kasirye, Tiffany Calver, DJ Target, Kano, Ray Blk and Lady Leshur and that’s not even close to everyone involved. The programme is being managed by PRS Foundation who are working in partnership with YouTube Music, Beggars Group and the Black Music Coalition.

Information on how to apply and FAQs are available on the PRS Foundation website here.