YouTube is giving back to music makers of color.
On Wednesday (Oct. 20), the streaming platform announced the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2022 — which includes a total of 53 international artists, songwriters and producers who will receive partner support, seed funding to help develop their channels, bespoke training, workshops and access to networking programs from the company.
The 53 classmates will also have the opportunity to co-write and collaborate musically. Also exciting, YouTube named music pioneer Slick Rick The Ruler as the inaugural mentor member of the #YouTubeBlack Voices Artist Class of 2022. As a mentor member, the “Children’s Story” hitmaker will share his wisdom and guidance with grant recipients.
“It’s an honor to partner with YouTube via the #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund initiative to utilize my platform and art to share as an example of what endurance, the power of imagination and pure authenticity look like,” Slick Rick The Ruler said in a statement.
This year’s class includes creatives from the U.S., Nigeria, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom and Canada.
Lyor Cohen, Global Head of Music at YouTube said in a statement, “YouTube is still committed to amplifying Black voices and music on our platform, so we knew we had to go even bigger for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2022. We’ve added new members, new regions, and of course the legendary Slick Rick The Ruler, as our first ever mentor member. Let’s continue walking the walk.”
See the #YouTubeBlack Voices Artist Class of 2022 and the #YouTubeBlack Voices Songwriter & Producer Class of 2022 below:
#YouTubeBlack Voices Artist Class of 2022
Azawi (Kampala, Uganda), Barkaa (Barkindji Nation, Western NSW), Blanco Brown (Atlanta, Georgia, United States), Bree Runway (East London, England, United Kingdom), Budjerah (Fingal Head, Australia), Cico P (Jacksonville, Texas, United States), Cimafunk (Pinar del Rio, Cuba), CKay (Anambra, Nigeria), Dijon (Ellicott City, Maryland, United States), Elaine (Pretoria, South Africa), EST Gee (Louisville, Kentucky, United States), Jonathan Ferr (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Jords (Croydon, England, United Kingdom), Kadhja Bonet (Long Beach, California, United States), Kamille (London, England, United Kingdom), Liniker (São Paulo, Brazil), Liza (Toronto, Canada), midwxst (Carmel, Indiana, United States), Monaleo (Houston, Texas, United States), Nija (Union City, New Jersey, United States), NorthSideBenji (Toronto, Canada), NSG (London, England, United Kingdom), Omah Lay (Port Harcourt, Nigeria), Rico Dalasam (São Paulo, Brazil), Savannah Ré (Toronto, Canada), Tai Verdes (Palos Verdes, Los Angeles, CA), Tamera (Kent, England), Tasha & Tracie (São Paulo, Brazil), Teezo Touchdown (Beaumont, Texas, United States), whiterosemoxie (Detroit, Michigan, United States) and one of the globes most legendary voices in hip hop, the legendary Slick Rick The Ruler (from The Bronx, New York United States)
#YouTubeBlack Voices Songwriter & Producer Class of 2022
Cadenza (London, England, United Kingdom), Compass (North London, England, United Kingdom), Dallas Woods (Wyndham, West Australia, Australia), Dj Lag (Johannesburg, South Africa), Gloria Kaba (Irvington, New Jersey, United States), HARV (Kansas City, Missouri, United States), IamTash (Boston, Massachusetts, United States), Jay Versace (Pleasantville, New Jersey, United States), jetsonmade (Columbia, South Carolina, United States), Kobie Dee (South Sydney, Bidjigal Land, Australia), Léo Casa 1 (São Paulo, Brazil), Major League DJz (Johannesburg, South Africa), Mu540 (Praia Grande, São Paulo, Brazil), Nova Wav (Tallahassee, Florida / Atlanta, Georgia, United States), OG Parker (Atlanta, Georgia, United States), P.Priime (Lagos, Nigeria), RDD (Paulo Afonso, Bahia, Brazil), Rodriguinho (Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil), Telz (Lagos, Nigeria), Walshy Fire (Miami, Florida, United States), WondaGurl (Toronto, Canada), YAOB (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)
