The Black Music Summit Creative Council has just announced that next year they will be bringing the inaugural edition of the Black Music Summit to Ibiza.
The news was first teased at a two-day event at Ibiza’s famous Pikes and Hï Ibiza last month that included performances from the likes of Seth Troxler, Juls, Lava La Rue, the No Signal family, and more. There’ll be a series of events and parties held around the world in the coming months and it’s all leading up to the main event in Ibiza next year. It’ll be more than just a party, too, with live performances, panel discussions, keynotes and workshops.
Founded by WME agent Jordan Hallpike and Kenny Eshinlokun—founder of creative agency Taboo—the aim of The Black Music Summit is to celebrate Black music professionals and offer resources and a support network of allies, as well as a chance to share their views, fight discrimination and shape the future of the industry for the better.
The BMS Creative Council features members from across the UK music industry, including Complex UK EIC Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson, Black Lives In Music chief executive Charisse Beaumont, WME partner/agent Craig D’Souza, August co-founder Ebi Sampson, GUAP co-founder Jide Adetunji, Recess and No Signal co-founder Jojo Sonubi, Native Instruments marketing manager Kikelomo Oludemi, TikTok entertainment partnerships agent Lola Oyewole, Robots & Humans and Strawberries & Creem Festival co-founder Preye Crooks, Native Networks co-founder Seni Saraki, YouTube Music artist relationships manager Sheniece Charway, and WME agent Whitney Boateng.
Speaking about the importance of the project, BMS co-founder Kenny Eshinlokun explains: “This is probably one of the most important projects I’ve ever been a part of in my career because it aims to give the next generation a chance to have more opportunities and a better experience in the music industry than many Black people have had to date. The BMS will offer Black musicians, creators and music industry professionals the opportunity to be seen and heard and hopefully reducing the amount of future discriminative challenges many Black people in the industry face. I’m excited about the opportunity to collaborate, celebrate and inspire the next generation, whilst showcasing so much amazing talent all in one place.”
Speaking on the decision to host the summit in Ibiza, BMS co-founder Jordan Hallpike explains that “Ibiza represents freedom, creativity, expression, and beauty, but also an island that many Black people may have overlooked as a travel destination, thinking it might not be for them. Black culture has laid the foundations for so many genres of music. House and techno were formed by Black culture in Detroit and Chicago and without the influences of the Black pioneers like Frankie Knuckles, Ibiza—the island of dance—would simply not be what it is today. Our aim is to make more Black talent, executives and tourists view this wonderful island as a space they can also occupy, just like any other location in the world.”
You can register for more information from The Black Music Summit here. https://www.theblackmusicsummit.com/