Study shows "Systematic racism" in the UK Music Industry

The Black Lives in Music Survey (BLiM), which was launched in April 2021, has found conclusive evidence that "Systematic racism" exists in the UK Music Industry.

The survey, which saw BLiM partnering with Opinium Research, involved 1,718 respondents and is the largest of black musicians and music industry professionals conducted in the UK to date.

The survey found evidence supporting the long-held beliefs about racial discrimination and has illustrated disturbing experiences of systemic and institutionalised racism in the UK Music Industry.

86% of all Black music creators agree that there are barriers to progression. This number rises to 89% for Black women and 91% for Black creators who are disabled.

Furthermore, three in five (63%) Black music creators have experienced direct/indirect racism in the music industry, and more (71%) have experienced racial microaggressions.

Those surveyed reported a range of discriminatory acts and “sometimes hostile working environments.” All founded on factors including barriers to progression based on their ethnicity, the marked and particular ways black women are specifically affected, income inequalities and more.

Other key findings include:

88% of all Black music professionals agree that there are barriers to progression

35% of all Black music creators have felt the need to change their appearance because of their race/ethnicity, rising to 43% of Black women

73% of Black music professionals have experienced direct/indirect racism in the music industry, and more (80%) have experienced racial microaggressions

31% of all Black music creators believe their mental wellbeing has worsened since starting their music career, rising to 42% of Black women


36% of Black music professionals believe their mental wellbeing has declined, rising to 39% of Black women

38% of Black music professionals earn 100% of their income from music compared to 69% of white music professionals.

57% of black music creators have seen white contemporaries promoted ahead of them despite being more qualified

Additionally, the survey found black artists granted less studio time than their white counterparts, refused event performance opportunities and being told to change the type of music they create. Furthermore, the widespread assumption that they are ‘urban artists’ despite whatever genre of music they make because of their race.

The survey found some stark data identifying a link between this discrimination and mental wellbeing, especially among black women. 42% of black women surveyed said their mental health had worsened since starting a career in music and 16% had sought counselling due to racial abuse.

Citing various reasons from the barriers to progression and overt racial discrimination, the report also found that black women earn 25% less on average than their white female colleagues, and 46% earn less than half their revenue from music (compared to) creating extra pressure to find other routes to supplement their income.

The BLiM Survey makes several recommendations to address the issues and emphasises collaboration across the UK music industry as key to addressing imbalances.

Transparency around and the gender and ethnic pay gap, training programmes to increase diversity in middle and senior management in music organisations and investment in grassroots music education are some of the key points.

BLiM also calls on the music industry to create an anti-racism support service to support creators and professionals with a helpline available to Black creators and professionals who experience racism in the music industry. Also, providing referral and in-depth therapeutic support.

Discussing the findings in the report, Chief Executive of BLiM, Charisse Beaumont, said "You cannot change what you cannot measure. Nearly 2000 people responded to our survey on ‘The lived experience of Black music creators and industry professionals in the UK music industry’. That is 2000 people hoping for genuine change. This is a first of it’s kind report which holds a mirror up to the UK music industry showing what it actually looks like. The disparities Black creators and industry professionals are faced with is rooted in traditionalism and systemic racism. The report highlights racist culture and behaviours in the workplace, financial barriers and lack of investment in Black music creators, and industry professionals unable to reach their career goals. The report also spotlights Black women being the most disadvantaged across all areas of the music industry and how all of these factors affect the mental health of Black creators and industry professionals. This is data, you cannot ignore it. The data clearly shows that change is needed across the entire music ecosystem from grass root education to all the way up to record labels. I hope industry leaders read this report and hear the voice of those who spoke out. I hope this report evokes change in the way we do our music business which has greatly profited from Black talent."

“We are looking forward to working with all music industry leaders to ensure that we can achieve change, together.”

You can read the full report here.

Watch: Being Black in the UK Music Industry

Being Black in the UK music industry is a special four part film series which dissects the Black Lives in Music report and addresses the injustices Black people are faced with in the music industry. It focuses on the solutions needed to tackle racial discrimination and bring about lasting change.

About Black Lives in Music:

Talent is distributed evenly, opportunities are not! Black Lives in Music addresses the current inequality of opportunity for black people aspiring to be artists or professionals in the Jazz and Classical music industry. Black Lives in Music believes in real equality for Black people to learn musical instruments at grassroots level and to allow them to pursue and realise their musical ambitions.

Black Lives in Music is made up of a number of partners who are all working towards the same goal: to dismantle structural racism in our industry. We aim to support the industry in providing better professional opportunities. We also want to achieve equality for Black professionals at all levels and in all areas of the UK Jazz and Classical industry. Representation matters, we need to take action together and create a level playing field for everyone to have an equal chance to succeed.

Black Lives in Music stands for equal opportunities – for Black people to be able to work successfully in the UK music industry without being the subject of discrimination.

• black lives in music