A new initiative designed to support Black music creatives and professionals in the North has launched, aiming to bridge gaps in representation and opportunity across the music industry. The OPEN SAUCE x Generator – Black Music Incubator Project is a collaborative effort between Generator, a North-East-based music development organisation, and Liverpool’s Nothin But The Music.
The incubator is part of the Liverpool City Region’s Music Industry Sector Development Pilot, a programme created in response to recommendations from the influential ReMap Report. This pilot, funded through the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority’s Strategic Investment Fund, seeks to provide Black music professionals with paid, practical experience and mentorship to help them build sustainable careers in the industry.
Collaboration to Tackle Underrepresentation
The incubator brings together partners from across the region, including UNESCO City of Music, Interval Records, and Warner Music UK, to offer opportunities for emerging talent. It was developed with input from the Liverpool City Region Music Board’s Black Music Action Group (BMAG), a group that has been advocating for better equity and inclusion in the local music ecosystem.
Yaw Owusu, founder of Nothin But The Music and a key architect of the initiative, explained its purpose:
“There’s been a lot of work done around equality and equity for Black music creators and industry professionals, but there remains a real need to do something impactful and tangible for those individuals who want to have a fair shot at launching a career in the music industry.”
The incubator is already generating significant momentum, with backing from organisations across the industry and a strong focus on providing paid opportunities and mentorship for participants.
Groundbreaking Talent Already Emerging
The initiative is already supporting a diverse group of talented individuals:
- KOJ, a Liverpool rapper with two singles already released, is preparing for his debut EP, Villain With a Conscience.
- Remée, a genre-bending artist known for her collaborations with brands like Levi’s and Size?, is gearing up for a series of boundary-pushing releases.
- Hannah-Morgan Ipinson-Fleming and Menelek Brown are gaining valuable paid industry experience, with internships and mentorship opportunities at Interval Records and Warner Music UK.
Participants have spoken about how the programme is already making a difference. Menelek Brown shared:
“This project has already changed the trajectory of my career. The opportunities it has given me to work with top artists and industry professionals have been invaluable. The skills, connections, and confidence I’ve gained are unparalleled.”
Insights from the ReMap Report
The programme’s development was heavily influenced by the ReMap Report, published earlier in 2024. The report, co-authored by Yaw Owusu alongside other Liverpool-based industry professionals, highlighted systemic challenges faced by Black creatives and professionals in the music industry.
Key findings included:
- Limited opportunities for Black musicians to perform and develop in Liverpool.
- A reliance on informal mentoring without proper support or training.
- Evidence of structural racism within the region’s music workplaces and live sector.
To address these challenges, the ReMap Report called for targeted initiatives, such as creating a Black music strategy, securing funding for Black artists, and exploring the feasibility of a dedicated Black music hub in Liverpool.
Aiming for National Impact
The incubator is designed as a pilot programme with the potential for nationwide expansion. Mick Ross, CEO of Generator, emphasised its scalability:
“The OPEN SAUCE x Generator – Black Music Incubator Project is designed to advance emerging talent while addressing the skills shortage across the industry. We believe this model has the potential to be rolled out nationally, creating a more inclusive and representative music industry.”
The pilot’s timing aligns with the arrival of the MOBO Awards in Newcastle in February 2025, further amplifying the spotlight on Black music in the region.
Building a More Inclusive Future
Kevin McManus, Head of UNESCO City of Music for Liverpool, expressed his support for the initiative:
“We’re delighted that the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has supported such an impressive project. It’s inspiring to see efforts being made to address underrepresentation, and we hope this model encourages similar action in other areas.”
The OPEN SAUCE x Generator – Black Music Incubator Project represents an important step in addressing longstanding inequalities in the music industry, offering a platform for underrepresented talent to thrive.