New report reveals how much Black music is worth to UK’s economy

WorldMusic
17 Mar 2026 • 5:02 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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  • Black music has generated 80 per cent of the UK’s recorded music revenue over the past three decades, amounting to £24.5 billion out of a total £30 billion.
  • A comprehensive report by UK Music, titled “Black Music Means Business: Driving Economic Growth In The UK”, detailed the cultural and commercial impact of genres rooted in Black culture.
  • The study categorised contributions, with Black British genres generating over £1.24 billion, core black music genres £4.83 billion, and Black-origin genres by British artists contributing £11.9 billion.
  • Despite its significant economic and cultural footprint, the report identified challenges such as a lack of Black talent in senior industry positions, an ongoing pay gap, and barriers to career progression.
  • Recommendations include advocating for Black music recognition within the school curriculum, government-led investment, and enhanced industry support for performance venues and recording studios.

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