Sending love to Cassie, Keke, Meg and all women who’ve unfortunately had to deal with male violence. It has never been okay, and I pray for justice and healing 🙏🏾❤️
Serious question guys, where are us Black Brits emigrating to in the next 5 yrs? With the hostile govt, crumbling healthcare, overpriced property, low salaries, regressive childcare policies, cost of living etc. I’m not doing it! Accra, Lisbon, Berlin??? WHERE ARE WE GOING😳
I’ve always had an absolute love and passion for R&B and I’m so excited to share my new show with you on
@BBCSounds
, I’ve really been transported back re-listening to all these tracks and I’m excited for you to relive those moments with me. Episode 1 is live now 🎧🎶🗣❣️
“...You always told me that it's going to take time. It’s taken my father’s time, my mother’s time, my uncle’s time, my brothers’ and my sisters’ time, my nieces and my nephew's time. How much time do you want for your progress?” - James Baldwin. I think about this a lot.
Unpopular opinion: Misteeq were the perfect UK R&B girl group. They represented our unique sound from harmonised vocals to club culture, Dancehall + UK Garage in the early 2000s. And there are so many other groups + singers who didn’t copy paste US formulas. We have a long legacy
Love Tems’ trajectory with all my heart!! What a babe 🥰 And I’m also glad she’s not British, otherwise the industry would have her doing background vocals for R*ta Ora
“Failed to do a million views in day”…do you know what it means to have your comeback single stream 887k times in 1 day? Just on 1 platform? After 3+ years out? Be
#1
trending on YouTube…in the UK? Guys let’s be serious about metrics man🙄. One of the best UK Artists is back🥳
I need a dedicated
@MissyElliott
content series that breaks down her discography, visual identity, fashion and production credits. Because who can compare?!! ‘Beep Me 911’ is 24 years old this year...I 🤯
We’ve got to be honest about what it means to be Black in Britain (vs elsewhere) and whether we enjoy the quality of life here. Thinking about the Caribbean diaspora today and 75 years is a really long time. Can we raise another generation here/full-time? What’s the reward?
This next year of UK music will be very interesting! A non-industry friend of mine (but life-long selector) said to me today that people are getting tired of the smoke + mirrors. We all know that mainstream quality is in the bin. So the jig is up 👀. Perfect time for a new order
Always interesting what shade of Black womanhood get chosen to “represent” Black femininity in Britain. When the global majority of Black people are my shade, I’m not sure why we aren’t as visible, especially when our male counterparts don’t have this issue. Colourism has to die!
Honestly…Megan’s incredible bravery shook the foundations of both Black and Hip Hop culture where misogynoir and misogyny ruled. It was landmark case because a price was finally paid for harming a Black woman. That set a new and overdue precedent that we must continue supporting
i am convinced that megan thee stallion‘s public pursuit of justice inspired so many other women in the industry to step out of suffocating silence and no longer fear retaliation & social persecution.
Not my idea but Stef
@FLOTUK
is on private so I can’t retweet! I second her thoughts of having
@BlackBalladUK
&
@galdemzine
produce a documentary with Candice. It matters very much that Candice is the face of this conversation & reclaims the narrative as a DS Black British Woman.
I’ve been meaning to get this off my chest friends…but my biggest lesson of 2023 was that some people are losers. Tbh I’m not sure there’s a cure/willingness to unlearn…so at this big age you have to decide if you want to join them in spiritual loserdom + the lowest vibrations?
😪 The major “players” in the UK music biz (labels, radio, press + TV) are racist + colourist. So dark skinned Black women (in the last 20years) have never commercially “broken through” despite being super talented. Gotta build out globally + leave this little island behind 👋🏾
Let’s be very clear, the Brit Award nominations + potential BBC Introducing UK-wide axe, shows us that major music corporations are openly waging war on:
-Black artists
-Women
-The working class
-Young artists
-Artists outside big UK cities
Remember this + move accordingly😊
Wheeeww! Did my thesis last year on colourism, racism and sexism that dark-skinned Black British women in Music specifically face. So we can talk all day, but what I really want us to do is divest from the mainstream + support 💵 dsbw in music who are both signed & independent!😌
In the last week alone, the news about two UK Rappers (both signed to major labels) and their sexual violence against women tells you everything you need to know about how unsafe it still is for women in music. In what industry can indulge in this behaviour? Absolutely sickening
@FLOTUK
Yep as a French-speaking African (London born + raised) I realise that I’ve been allowed to have my own personality *tantrums included 😅* by my family first. Doesn’t mean there’s no respect, it’s just that there’s never been pressure to “perform” for anyone since childhood.
@t0nit0ne
Colourists colouristing…it’s so obvious but also highly disturbing 🥴. It’s not just about this faux holier than thou religiosity, it’s an opportunity for the co-hosts to punch down on the dark-skinned Black women with stereotypes of masculinity, disobedience & promiscuity…🤢
Reggae music birthed countless shifts in culture, consciousness, language, fashion and so much more. But this is the way the Music Industry works *by design*…where is the inheritance for the Black creators? Where is it??! In the pockets of the Execs, their kids and grandkids
Windrush Day ❤️
📸 Trinidadian Musician Mona Baptiste and fellow Caribbean passengers on the Empire Windrush boat that docked at Tilbury, Essex on Monday 22 June 1948
Big up
@rec_ess
+
@CLINT419
btw. Can’t let big loser energy derail what is a huge movement in Black British music, fashion and culture(s)! We have growing infrastructure and international reach that we’ve historically never seen. Trailblazerssss + timeline shakers💐💐
Out here collecting degrees like infinity stones, moving up the corporate ladder and slaying the dragon guardians of misogynoir, all for a life of continuous labour...Might as well go and sell plantain on the streets of Brixton together, since we’re all committed to struggling🙂
I don’t think Black UK mainstream artists, orgs + outlets understand that scholarship (education + mentoring) is fundamental to legacy. It’s not optional, nor is it just a look good for press. Our cultures belong to an ecosystem not capitalism. So if genres die, it’s your fault.
From the time a whole Summer Walker is bringing out Bree Runway on a London stage, for a Wireless appearance she should have ALREADY been booked for…you have to either laugh or cry because what?!! Kmt
🚨 UK MUSIC PEOPLE 🚨 I’m doing some research into the most interesting Independent UK labels (all genres + roster sizes). Who do I need to know about? 🤔 Recommendations welcome 👼🏾
@Stephanopolus
😂😂 Well so far I’ve had Berlin, Amsterdam, Barbados, Jamaica, Accra and Toronto as suggestions. I’m taking notes so that I can pack my bags!
Thank God Tiwa left this UK to grow her career in the US + Nigeria👏🏾👏🏾. She was singing backup for George Micheal as a teenager, and probably still would have been, had she not packed her bags. Meanwhile Ch*ryl, R*ta Ora, J*ss Gylnne + T*lisa flourished on this island, rubbish
In other news it’s been over a year now since I stopped dating music industry men. Clap for meeeee 🙌🏾. I have been set free from the curse of “vibes”+ Peter Pan syndrome 🥴. My destiny cannot be tied to a man who lacks intention around commitment + future planning. We’re too old
“Se battre jusqu’à la muerte, parce-qu’on a trop de fierté “.
A little cover of ‘Solo’ by Congolese-Belgian Artist
@lousandtheyakz
. Talking Black Femininity and the solitude that comes with the fight to exist freely and beautifully❤️
#Solo
#Cover
#BlackLivesMatter
I think a conversation needs to be had about how much it actually costs to:
1) Be a good musician
2) Create + release singles/albums
3) Do shows + tour
4) Make a liveable wage doing the above
5) And do it full-time..in Britain…post-Brexit
But I’m not having it lool, be easy!
One thing I’m consciously working on is singing in my London accent. It was never hugely Americanised, but I was subconsciously defaulting to the US R&B enunciation most of us were raised on. I’m really proud of what we’ve built on this island. So excited to explore moving fwd😍
In this life you’ve really got to value yourself. Especially as a dark-skinned Black woman in the UK, you def have to teach people how to treat you. We are socialised us to believe that our dark skin and womanhood is less than. But I firmly reject that, I AM/ WE ARE precious💗💗
The last piece I wrote received a reception like no other. And if you haven’t read it…do! So proud of my triumph in the face of debilitating violence. The way the collective poured into my healing was a blessing TY
@FunkButcher
@patrickch_
@Mixmag
❤️❤️
I’m in Ghana, so I’m trying to enjoy🇬🇭. But someone pls write about Black British erasure by American Artists. T2’s Heartbroken is Bassline + they’re calling it Jersey Club 😩. From when late 90s R&B was an offshoot of UK Garage…we need to have that convo
@FunkButcher
@Mixmag
🤝🏾
Love! This is what artistic experiences are supposed to be. Not formulaic, easily duplicated + cheapened. But let’s remember that being a good musician, releasing, touring 🇬🇧 + living comfortably costs. Painters set their own prices for their art…let indie musicians shake it up.
SO the
#SAULT
surprise gig last night certainly delivered on the SURPRISE element....
For a start, this is what you went into... Drumsheds had been transformed into a complete immersive world........
How many “getting into the music industry seminars” are some of you youth orgs going to have?! It’s been over ten years and young people need hard cash & JOBS. Not an email address promise that “hard work” will get you there. We are tired plis! I’ll behave + not @ you today 👼🏾
@AnushaLDN
Hmm that’s definitely an important thing to consider, as that honestly didn’t cross my mind. But as other countries seek to “overpower” the UK or attract migrants I hope policies can evolve and be inclusive of disabled people 😌.
The UK is not short of talent in music…it has never been. But it’s short of opportunities and models for talent, especially Black talent to thrive. A simple visit down memory lane to what Floetry, Misteeq + early Grime were doing 20years ago shows that we’ve got a long way to go
I’m only here because of my Congolese ancestors…their fight, courage and audacity to protect their land, dignity and humanity. Africans are survivors of one of the biggest transatlantic genocides that took place over centuries…and is still ongoing. Solidarity forever 🇵🇸🇪🇹🇸🇩🇨🇩❤️
I’m gonna start calling Black men in music who do f all for Black women and the wider community, “brap brap boyz”. Everyday brap brap and “for tha culture”. Sir, what have you actually done? And what else do you offer beyond your brap brap? 😂😂. Stand up!!! We’re too old plis
@amalwtf
I have a lot of thoughts…especially having worked at a major, but I think it’s as simple as the fact that R&B is a Black female led genre, so many racist heads/SVPs want to avoid uplifting it. Otherwise Ray BLK, Tiana Major9 & Bree Runway would be running up the UK charts etc.
😪 The major “players” in the UK music biz (labels, radio, press + TV) are racist + colourist. So dark skinned Black women (in the last 20years) have never commercially “broken through” despite being super talented. Gotta build out globally + leave this little island behind 👋🏾
@RichieBrave
Sadly I believe internalised anti-blackness is a huge part of the strange pushback. God forbid Black people have an opinion let alone criticise problematic concepts. Colonial mindsets have well + truly finished us ☹️. Everyday “it’s not that deep”, when history begs to differ
@emiliamxo
If there’s any way your friends who’ve been harmed can be supported through gfm for any health/mental health support/ legal fees after the assault please let us know. Aftercare is important! 🙏🏾❤️
Such a well written + concise piece that weaves together so many difficult & troubling aspects: Tim Westwood’s cosplaying as a Black man, the orgs and corporations that kept him employed, the Black men who co-signed him + gave him access to Black spaces, young women + teen girls
One thing I really want from the Black British entertainment industry is the older gen still having importance in our culture. Katt Williams and Monique are 50+ and have been trending + doing insane numbers. We have an expiry date and I think that’s sad. Ageism isn’t a flex
I love abit of Adele, North London’s finest 😍. But let’s not forget she was a Brit school grad, writing with award-winning songwriters as a teen in 2006 (pre-streaming & socials). She’s had a solid 15 years+ of Artist development and ALOT of 💸💵investment, to become who she is.
Adele is too clear in this music ting. She’s what artists should be, you make music drop it, live and experience life for years and then come back and make music about it. Not dropping every year and jumping on every feature
@theashrb
£50k sounds about right for a teacher because when I qualified I was up at 5.30am and home by 6pm if I was lucky. Half terms were for marking and summer holidays were cut short to prepare for the new school year. I left teaching 5yrs ago, that measly £30k and never looked back!
Just watched + although very basic, I appreciate Leigh-Anne for shedding light on the racism, colourism + misogynoir in music. She challenged herself, family, her partner, friends & label. Who has done this before in the UK Music at the height of their career?
#Racepopandpower
Missed an email from the beeb asking me to speak on racismo in the music industry. 1) My time + energy is precious, I will no longer spend it talking about Black trauma but liberation instead 2) I was prepping to go holiday to celebrate my bday + top up my tan 👱🏿♀️😍 leave me alone
For those of you who don’t work in the music industry, you must understand that this industry is heavily unregulated from individuals to BIG global orgs. In the UK we currently do not have policies, codes of conduct, safeguarding practices + a reporting body for misconduct…
For anyone who’s stared darkness in the face, felt
@IamMishaB
’s words deeply today. Her experience on X-Factor was the main reason I’ve turned down 4 TV show opportunities. The UK entertainment industry does not treat Black women fairly. Show much love to Misha honestly ❤️❤️
*Sighs* it’s disappointing that we don’t have equal access and then have to wait to be chosen. I think we have to learn Issa Rae things and go straight to YouTube or Tik Tok with series’. The black square day credit is finished🥴!
Yep, colourists (both men and women) are the first to dehumanise dark-skinned Black women so it’s important for my safety to be able to suss them out quickly. They always tell on themselves though.
Remember the age-old nonsense that brap brap UK music industry boyz were saying about how darksinned Black women don’t sell 🫠?? Those colourists were lying! Congrats to this wonderful babe, long may it continue 😍😍
This music industry’s no regulations, rewards bad behaviour on so many levels. Any other sector, individuals like this would lose their jobs + be put on the SO register. Being a woman in music is a very dangerous career path. That’s why women only spaces/leadership are important
Ladies, especially BW it’s okay to be overprotective of your time, space + energy on/offline. It’s okay to be standoffish. It’s okay to ask direct questions and do background checks. It’s okay to say nothing at all. Your safety is the priority, regardless of what anyone says.
When I say that the music industry is like colonialism when it comes to Black Artists…you people think I’m exaggerating. When exploitation is the modus operandi, there’s no room for sustainability or safety, let alone one’s artistry, cultural + spiritual practice to thrive. Sad
Well then…
Hardy Caprio vs EMI Records
(deleted tweets)
Not sure why Hardy would start something & not finish it, especially when he seemed to be standing up for various other artists in the process & then just allowed EMI to ‘sort his issue out privately’…
As a French-speaking Congolese born in the UK, I always cringe when I see Black-led clothing brands or startups with French names that don’t make sense in French ☹️. I want better for us…please ask your French-speaking friend if it makes sense. Don’t rely on Google translate 😩
If the UK music industry had a real
#MeToo
moment, with government and police intervention…I’m pretty sure we’d see half of the “industry” behind bars and that includes CEOs, Heads of companies + music universities etc. This is why it can’t be reformed, it needs to be destroyed
Victoria and Teyana’s performance at the BET Awards was exactly what Artist development is. To consistently invest in yourself for decades, whether signed or unsigned…to onboard visionaries whose movement and style will elevate you. Both women over 30 and working mothers wow❤️
Between the 2023 Brits and the BAFTAs…operation leave this island is in full swing. The music, arts and ent. industries have shown us for decades that they are not prepared to include and grow the careers of non-White and working class creatives. DEI is a farce…save your energy
That’s why I don’t mind letting go of any thing, place, person or pattern that no longer resonates with what my best life requires. Where there’s a goodbye there’s also a new beginning. And that’s the beautiful thing about this existence. Full of wonders, mysticism and healing.
@aChildOf2Worlds
Yeah the man was definitely trolling her to prove a strange point. We’ve all met those types…the ones that interrupt your convo to give their unsolicited opinion or stand too close to you in public, when there’s lots of room. She’s a small girl + he seems like a miserable bully.
So in September 2019, I decided to do a Masters degree in Music Business Management. My third degree after my BA & PGCE 🙃. I spent October 2019-August 2020 focusing my research on various aspects Black British Music culture, but particularly Black Women. A thread 👩🏾🎓👇🏾 (1/10)
Sometimes I forget that Naomi Campbell was sitting right in front of me whilst I delivered an 8-minute long speech at the A&R Awards last year. She may have not listened to a single word, but I don’t care 😍😍😍. 2023 I’m manifesting like a big boy
#Est
ée4President 💅🏾
Well said but very disturbing nonetheless…because actual Black Artists never see that kind of success in music! And from a UK angle this is exactly what Ed Sheeran’s been doing for over a decade. Grime, Afrobeats, Afro-swing, AfroPop and Dancehall…it’s a certified template🥴
Famous non Black artists in the “Latin” & other musical industries essentially do musical residencies where they travel to poor Black countries & study all the new trends and music for pennies (& in some cases God forbid for free.) The word “inspiration” hides an ugly economy.
😭😭😭 I’ve been doing this consciously for a month now! Sometimes it’s 10mins of yoga, or I’ll just fling on an Afrobeats playlist and shake nyash. Flexibility, co-ordination + stamina 🤸🏾♀️
The seasons are changing, the animals are already going into hibernation…and yet we are still outchea rising and grinding 🫠. I’m following them this winter.
So upsetting honestly ☹️. After the farce of the whole Black square thing, I’d honestly prefer music people, establishments + institutions be straight up and say that they hate me because I’m Black. At least I know where I stand sha! Then I can go about my business elsewhere
My plan was to wake up today and thank everyone for coming down and celebrating with me making it an epic 15 year anniversary party. Instead I’ve been worried about everyone who paid their good money for tickets and my VIP guests, WHO COULDN’T GET IN!
FUCK Proud Embankment.
This £30k situation reminds me that crooks + narcissistic people don’t mind doing wrong but just don’t want anyone else to know. That’s why I’ll forever name and shame those who’ve been evil. You’ll face the consequences my friend, I’m telling everybodyyyyyyy 🤗
*clears throat*
🗣Right, so
@IvorsAcademy
award winning,
@MercuryPrize
nominated +
@kendricklamar
’s fav UK Artist
@LittleSimz
’s new album is currently
#3
in the UK Album Chart 🤩. She may just be the 1st Independent Black British Female Rapper to EVER get to this position👸🏾 (1/3)
Regarding my tweets yesterday…I’ve had people ask who I’m referring to. I need you to ask your favourite Rappers or Label Execs the same thing and stop expecting Black women like myself to jeopardise their safety + mental wellbeing. I say what I’m comfortable saying, end of.
Last thing, I’m not standing on the firing line when there’s people with bigger resources, power and influence to make the changes we actually need in this business. I’ll do my bit, but my mental health and safety comes first. I’ve refused to go on national TV for these reasons.
Did Nao get enough credit for pushing the UK electronic and R&B fusion? As both a producer and vocalist? I discovered her in 2016, so I missed her emerging coverage
Did I tell you guys I said no to TV 4 times? 3 were reality shows and the last was press. I’ll never say never, but it has to make sense. The way things are set up for Black women here is crazy/disturbing. It hurts everytime you see a girl get CRUSHED…bcus you knew it was coming
As a person who makes ART, if my community are disappointed with me I have to listen. That was extremely disappointing. I can be in my feelings, but also take critique - that’s how we grow. But everyone has a responsibility to end colourism and support dark-skinned Black singers!
June 2019 I saw
@TwinB
’s tweet about the Richard Antwi Scholarship as part of the MA Music Business Mgmt at
@UniWestminster
.
@sallysharp
answered my email & months later I became the 2nd recipient of the Award 🙏🏾❤️ Applications are now open
@musicbizworld
@Echetaobiesike
@ronkelawal
Auntie pls, this is very important. There’s always a high correlation between ashiness and anti-blackness. Gotta distinguish between skinfolk and kinfolk 👍🏾
Pausing releasing music to study + then going on to write articles + give talks exploring Black music in Britain, gender + race, systemic racism, trauma + burnout culture…isn’t something I planned. But tweets like this make me realise that as a BW it’s necessary to take up space
Angela Davis got me thinking, "What would Black music scholarship be like if it were not so heavily influenced by white men, black men, and white women? Watching Roberta Flack's documentary & sad to see how few Black women are called to share critical reflections on Black music.
Historically, any “scene” or sub-genre needs more than one artist. A bunch of Artists in the same realm (sonics, visuals, fashion etc.) is what helps to grow + shift culture. Unfortunately darkskinned Black British women don’t get equal opportunities. We need more
@dreyamac
’s 😌
Dreya is extremely talent but I do feel there’s a disconnection from the scene when it comes to her actual music! Me personally I see her doin creative direction for the girls (I wanna see her work with flo and needanamebro) the way teyana doin it for the rap and rnb girls!