Black British Women in Electronic Music
An interview with POWER UP alumni and music agent Hannah Shogbola on Black women's contribution to electronic music and the challenges being faced
By POWER UP
Hannah Shogbola
Intersectional barriers in the UK's Electronic music scene
POWER UP actively addresses anti-Black racism and the impact it has on Black music creators and professionals in the UK. We recognise that Black women face complex barriers in this space due to factors including racism, sexism and colourism.
Expert insight
Those challenges are more potent in certain genres. So, we caught up with POWER UP alum, Hannah Shogbola - an agent and manager working in Electronic music to find out about Black British women’s role and contribution, and the challenges being addressed through the programme.
Jaguar Press Shot (2022-02-17) by JaguarPOWER UP
What are some key contributions of Black women in music?
Black women have been an integral part of the electronic music scene for years, some of the most impactful, memorable & game-changing tracks feature Black female vocalists.
Emerald (2023-05-01) by EmeraldPOWER UP
From Crystal Waters to Sonique, to Angie Brown to Chemistry to DJ Flight to DJ Paulette to DJ Minx to Stacey Hale - there were so many back in the 80s and 90s that sadly didn’t get the respect and spotlight they so truly deserved.
Taahliah Press Shot (2021-02-01) by TAAHLIAHPOWER UP
The impact these women had shaped the Black women electronic artists of today. From Eliza Rose to Sherelle to Nia Archives to Anz to OK Williams to Niks to Jaguar to Heléna Star to Emerald to Taaliah to Ash Lauryn – the electronic scene is finally being celebrated.
Black Artist Database Founder Niks (2023-01-01) by NIKSPOWER UP
However, we can't dismiss the challenges still faced today within the sector by artists and behind the scenes. In terms of gender and diversity within live music billing, along with financial fees paid to this demographic being considerably considerably lower.
Today there are 0% Black women in leadership roles within any UK talent agency – this is petrifying! Our fight continues daily within this world!
Judy Griffith for Fabric (2022-03-01) by Judy Griffith for FabricPOWER UP
Who has been the most significant to you and why?
Judy Griffith, Promoter and Programming Director at Fabric, London. Judy has held this position for over 20 years and the ethos and identity of this institution is in her soul; she has changed the narrative countless times. I met her as an intern, and she has inspired me since.
To see a Black woman working in the deepest of Techno worlds that has so historically been whitewashed was so refreshing. The challenges faced by Judy were far and wide even subconsciously she may not have realised how incredibly unique and impactful her position was.
Judy's art of programming is mind blowing and I highly respect her graft. As a younger seeing this force of nature roll into the office each night and chisel away consistently and with such elegance and grace truly humbled me and taught me a few lessons too! It is still such a rarity within our world and scene that this has never left me and to this day we are great friends. For this I am truly thankful.
Helena Star (2023-04-01) by MelissaPOWER UP
What is your dream lineup of Black women in the genre?
Thankfully, I am blessed to work with some incredible Black women; so, my answer will be utterly biased and feature some of the most inspiring women that I represent today!
Girls Don't Sync (2023-05-01) by Girls Don't SyncPOWER UP
Curation is special and musically some might not work, but as it’s my choice I’m programming a huge manor house in my mind under my brand DAJU, with each room giving us something different! For me it would feature the below – there are some special guest US & SA acts thrown in.
Room 1: Heléna Star, Ash Lauryn, Flo Real, Ruby Savage & Louise Chen
Room 2: TSHA, NIKS, Josey Rebelle, Emerald, OK Williams, Carista, Shy One & Alexisitry
Room 3: Girls Don’t Sync (pictured above), Jaguar, Nia Archives, Eliza Rose, DJ Flight & AMA
Room 4: Charisse C, Jamz Supernova, Des’ree, Uncle Waffles, Izzy Bssy & Desiree
All rooms would be the same capacity and curated with a theme so no rubbish about billing and fights to play the larger capacity room. I feel like this idea might be copied...remember you saw it here first!
BEMA (Black Electronic Music Association) (2023-01-01) by BEMA (Black Electronic Music Association)POWER UP
Tell us about BEMA and why you created this movement?
BEMA – Black Electronic Music Association was formed by four like-minded Black women to make active changes to the scene. It's made up of the following:
Heléna Star (DJ, presenter and broadcaster on Foundation FM), Jaguar (DJ, broadcaster on BBC Radio One on BBC R1), NIKS (DJ, co-founder of of Black Artist Database and a Rinse FM host) and me, Hannah Shogbola.
We want to highlight, acknowledge, and honour the Black roots of many Electronic music genres and the wealth of Black talent existing across the industry today. Our first project was reinstating the Black Electronic Dance award at the MOBO's.
It was truly special to achieve such a dream forming an elite committee that helped us feel like we can make incredible changes, through thick and thin we fought extremely hard to make this happen and it’s truly a blessing to see.
Find our more at BEMA.
Interview by Yaw Owusu, Senior Manager of POWER UP
