Black Artists Database launch music masterclasses for aspiring Black musicians
Classes will be taught by Loraine James, KMRU and more
Black Artists Database (B.A.D), previously Black Bandcamp, is launching a series of free production classes over the course of the next year.
In collaboration with Ableton, four artists will be heading up the masterclass series: Loraine James (pictured), KMRU, Russell E. L. Butler, and rRoxymore.
Classes can be taken by anyone Black, with no previous experience needed. The first class will take place on Tuesday, August 24, with the last one in November.
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Shona MacMillan, Ableton’s UK and Ireland Brand Manager, said: “Niks and the team have worked tirelessly to bring Black-owned record labels, artists, producers and bands to the forefront of the electronic music community and beyond.
“We leapt at the opportunity to aid B.A.D to continue making a strong impact and focusing on diversity in the music industry,” she continued.
The classes aim to give Black and ethnically Black aspiring musicians an insight into production, mastering, live performance and field recordings. Each class will host 300 people and last for 60 - 90 minutes.
“How to turn your production into a live performance” is the first class taught by Hyperdub signed Loraine James, followed by a “bus processing premasters” class from Russell E. L. Butler in September.
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In October, "field recording as a compositional tool” will be hosted by experimental artist KMRU, before the final masterclass: “An intro to live” with rRoxymore in November.
Earlier this year, Black Artists Database was rebranded from Black Bandcamp - an organisation founded after the Black Lives Matter movement. The database now continues to grow, currently amassing over 3,500 Black creatives.
Sign up for classes here. Registration closes on Monday, August 16 at 5:PM BST - successful applicants will be chosen on August 22.
Gemma Ross is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on Twitter