Thinking Out Of The Box: What We're Doing To Raise The Game In The British Black Music Sector Free talks & networking forum Saturday January 19 2008, 3-6pm @ City University London

January 2008: "Business-wise, 2007 is probably the worst year for British black music since the BMC was formed five years ago". Kwaku, Black Music Congress (BMC) founder

February 2006: "What's good for the British black music Industry is good for Britain!" Hugh Francis, former Jet Star head of intellectual property & business affairs

Whilst there was a lot of activity on the underground, particularly with young artists selling their mix CDs on the streets or 'on road', 2007 was not a great year for the British black music sector business-wise in terms of media profile, chart performances, break through albums or sales.

To turn things around calls for some commitment and thinking out of the box approach, and it is for this reason that the Black Music Congress (BMC) is calling upon all* interested persons to get involved.

The first start is Thinking Out Of The Box: What We're Doing To Raise The Game In The British Black Music Sector a free talks & networking forum on Saturday January 19 2008, 3-6pm at City University London, Northampton Square, London, EC1V 0HB.

The forum will highlight the problems and look for the way forward by finding out who's doing what, and joining the dots, so that together we can help develop an economically vibrant black music sector in 2008 and beyond.

If we believe the British black music sector needs support in order to turn it into a viable contributor to the domestic economy, then we can all make a difference.

If you are not sure what you* can do, the production-consumption loop list below should offer some ideas. For example, a fan can pledge to buy, or request radio to play, British product; a big record company can aim to find and develop a British artist as a priority act; a journalist or DJ can aim to search for and highlight worthwhile British acts; or a promoter of high profile gigs or tours can pledge to add at least one British act on the support slot.

During the forum, BMC will launch the following initiatives:
a) two small grants for debutant record label owners to sign, develop and market a single during June Is British Black Music Month;
b) master-classes with input from noted industyites in March covering running a record label, music publishing, artist management, marketing, and events planning; and
c) Positive Black Music Awards, where the public votes for uplifting British acts and music.

For more information or to book for Thinking Out Of The Box forum, either go to events page at www.britishblackmusic.com or email editor@britishblackmusic.com subject line: booking tootb

* The production-consumption loop list Artist, musician, songwriter, producer Manager, agent, promoter, accountant, lawyer Record label, music publisher Press, broadcaster, journalist, DJ, club, website Community organisation, special interest group, advocacy Tutor, education, training Collecting society, industry organisation Retail/web portal Fan, consumer