'Queens of Music': Bringing Attention To The Untold Stories Of Women of Colour in the Music Industry

Black women and women of colour’s contribution to the British music industry is often not talked about enough, and, looking to remedy that is the new two-part documentary series Queens of Music that is streaming on Channel 5 and BET.

Celebrating the victories of these women but also acknowledging the challenges they faced in breaking down barriers and dismantling stereotypes this new documentary shares the experiences of these women through their own perspective.

Featuring the unsung heroes of the industry such as Sandra Scott, who has worked with the likes of British 80s R&B groups like Soul II Soul, American Hip-Hop group De La Soul and most recently Stormzy there is a belief that we’re at a point where “We should be building our own.”

Recently speaking at a Q&A panel at a special exclusive pre-screening at the Karma Sanctum Soho London, Scott explained further: “I think we’re in a space now where us women in the room have so much knowledge, we’ve seen so much, we’ve taken on so much that we can build and take things forward! I think we’re really up for it!”

There is a deep care to tell the story in tonality by showing the beginnings of their journey to the heights they currently enjoy in senior positions working for companies such as Sony Music, YouTube and Amazon Music UK.

Cookie Pryce

The cast features UK Hip-Hop pioneer, Cookie Pryce, one-half of the 80s duo Cookie Crew before she went on to work at Atlantic UK and the MOBOs before launching her own PR company.

Pryce hopes that the documentary is a “spark” for “greater visibility and recognition for women of colour in the UK music industry.”

I truly hope that it will challenge industry norms”, she said. [Also] “ inspire more EQUITY, and encourage other women of colour to pursue careers in music and other creative spaces with the confidence that when they step into the arena, they do not feel isolated."

Ultimately, the documentary could serve as both a celebration and a call to action, highlighting the need for greater equitable opportunities within an industry that several of us have managed to maintain staying power for decades. We are undisputed! Pryce finishes.

Some of these women have also gone on to found their own companies such as The Black Music Coalition and The Debrief.

Commissioning Editor for BET UK Shurwin Beckford says “Queens of Music opens the door to the unsung Black females of the British music industry. These women have helped define the Black music scene in this country over the past four decades – yet many are faceless and nameless.

“Their ‘against all odds’ stories are incredible and the artists they have helped to bring to the forefront are stellar. This is their time and their stories.”

The full list of contributors include: Taponeswa Mavunga, Sheniece Charway, Dellessa James, Char Grant, Afryea Henry-Fontaine and Komali Scott-Jones. 

Watch the first epsiode here: