BLK SCL! LAUNCHES

Today we're officially launching BLK SCL! — a multi-strand intervention built to scale Black music talent, infrastructure and ownership across the North of England and the UK's devolved nations.

I've spent the last 20+ years designing and directing talent development and culture programmes across the UK and internationally — and I've watched the same pattern repeat: extraordinary talent outside London, but not enough long-term infrastructure around it. BLK SCL! is my practical, place-rooted answer to that.

BLK SCL! is designed as a connected system — three pillars that work together to move talent from discovery to sustainability.

1) BLK SCL! Sound

Our curator-led label arm, championing dynamic, honest and exceptional Black music and Black voices across the North, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland.

2) BLK SCL! Connex

A pan-regional community of Black music professionals committed to collective working and long-term systemic change. Connex launches today with our digital directory. Next, we'll build the platform for year-round engagement — and in early 2027 we'll host the first BLK SCL! Summit, creating space to connect, share challenges, transfer knowledge and co-design solutions.

3) BLK SCL! L'Atelier

Our career pathways and development engine for Black music creators and industry professionals.

Year one includes:

• A part-time junior product manager role within BLK SCL! Sound (supported by MusicFutures)
• A Black music industry professional incubator programme with Generator
• A partnership with Liverpool-based Noise Music Project to deliver an entry-level future Black music industry leader programme
• Work with The Black Social Traders Network (BLaST) to support Black-led social trading organisations in music, including access to social investment

BLK SCL! is built through collaboration with partners who share a commitment to equity, integrity and long-term impact.

EMI North (Universal Music Group) is partnering with BLK SCL! Sound — connecting our independent, curator-led vision with major-label insight, infrastructure and reach.

MusicFutures (University of Liverpool + Liverpool John Moores University, funded by AHRC/UKRI) is supporting by part-funding the BLK SCL! Summit and enabling paid roles within the BLK SCL! ecosystem.

Generator is supporting the development of BLK SCL! as a partner across Connex and L'Atelier.

BLaST is partnering to deliver social impact business support and pathways to social investment.

First signings (BLK SCL! Sound)

We're launching with two artists who represent the depth, excellence and diversity of Black music culture across the UK.

KOJ (Liverpool) — a sound forged at the collision point of Grime, Rap and Punk. KOJ will be the first BLK SCL! Sound release, due 26 June 2026.

Mace The Great (Wales) — a Welsh artist and cultural force whose work reflects the richness and complexity of Black identity, shaping how Wales is heard and seen through a Black lens.