Last week, Vick Hope, a journalist, author, presenter, and host of BBC Radio 1’s drivetime show, held a panel talk on the importance of making music accessible and shaping the future of the music industry for the next generation. The panel was backed by Mastercard as part of their latest campaign aimed at highlighting the work of seven “music trailblazers” who are driving change in the music industry across technology, diversity, and inclusion. Hope felt inspired by the individuals and organisations showcased by Mastercard who are contributing to greater accessibility and inclusion in the industry and paving the way for a new generation of music makers and listeners.
The panel consisted of Birch, Pillay, Hope, Mastercard ambassador Young Athena, and the Principal of the BRIT School, Stuart Worden. The discussion focused on the future of music and the efforts underway to make music accessible to all. Worden stated that easier access to the creative industries was vital for the creators of tomorrow. He emphasised that many barriers need to be broken to access the arts, including cost. He indicated that more institutions like The BRIT School should be created across the UK to allow more success stories to emerge like the school’s alumni, RAYE and Loyle Carner. With London being the centre of Britain’s creative industry, Worden acknowledged that branching out to different parts of the country to solve the accessibility problem is necessary.
The panellists also touched on how technology could play a role in improving accessibility to the music industry. Birch mentioned that there is a conversation about the inaccessibility of some technologies as they are expensive and that people with disabilities struggle with technology, especially those with motor skills. Young Athena, for her part, added that A.I can enhance the work of music creators and help those who cannot afford the studio create music. For Birch, changing the perception of music-making and challenging the “elitist attitude” in the industry is crucial, so everyone who has a story to tell can do so.
On Saturday, the 2024 BRIT Awards took place, hosted by Clara Amfo, Maya Jama and Roman Kemp. RAYE was nominated for seven awards, the most by any single artist in the history of the show, with Robbie Williams, Gorillaz, and Craig David previously holding the record with six nominations. It’s noteworthy that despite being almost destroyed by the music industry at one point, RAYE staged such a remarkable comeback
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