October 28, 2022
UK’s Black Lives In Music to Unveil Plans for Music Industry Anti-Racism Code of Conduct
The United Kingdom’s Black Lives in Music (BLIM) is sending a message to the music industry through an official code of conduct against racism.
On Wednesday, an official announcement was made to unveil the new code of conduct that will be adopted in 2023, The Guardian reports. Created by BLIM, the UK Music Industry Anti-Racism Code aims to tackle issues around pay, inclusion, and safety for Black, Asian, and ethnically diverse members of the sector.
The code results from a 2021 BLIM report that found 63% of Black music creators had experienced racism in the UK music industry. The percentage was higher for Black music professionals, at 73%.
Of the 1,718 performers, creatives, and staff surveyed, all reported experiences of harassment, bullying, microaggressions, and racist language in the workplace. Of those surveyed, 36% of the UK’s Black music professionals said the conditions took a toll on their mental health.
“The music industry has a hole in terms of what Black artists are chosen and what investments are made; the same type of music is being put out by Black people when in reality we do every kind of music,” said BLIM Chief Executive Charisse Beaumont.
“But that space is not being created for us. And why is that? Because the decision-makers at the top are not diverse.”
The 2021 survey also found that Black musicians in the UK say they are pigeonholed into urban music genres like R&B and hip-hop, while Black and ethnically diverse people only make up 19.9% of executive positions.
The Independent Standards Authority supports the code and will apply to anyone working in music in the UK, from freelance technical staff to artists working for large companies. Labels and organizations will be expected to commit to creating a safe working environment for all and strive for inclusion over diversity.
Companies will also be asked to conduct mandatory training, data collection, and accountability processes to combat potential racism or lack of diversity and inclusion.