MMF reveals the Accelerator Programme for Music Managers Class of 2021

Accelerator Programme 2021

• 22 UK-based music managers to participate in the groundbreaking grants and education programme

• Continuing Accelerator’s commitment to diversity, the participants represent more than 70 acts across all genres including Blinkie, Shygirl, Idlewild, Mirra May, Ay Em, BC Camplight, Employed to Serve and Porridge Radio

• All will receive funding of up to £15,000 alongside expert-led professional training

• Backed by YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Music Industry Association, Accelerator has supported more than 45 individual managers since 2019 and created a strong track record of success and sustainability  

• 2020’s Accelerator alumni included managers of Joy Crookes, Wes Nelson, Nafe Smallz, Dry Cleaning, The Staves, Puma Blue, Michael Price, Moses Boyd and Joesef

The Music Managers Forum (The MMF), has revealed the 22 participants for this year’s Accelerator Programme for Music Managers. 

Representing a significant breadth of artists, songwriters, DJs and producers, they include managers working with more than 70 highly talented acts such as Blinkie, Shygirl, Idlewild, Ay Em, BC Camplight, Employed to Serve, Mirra May, and Porridge Radio. 

See here for full details of the Accelerator 2021 participants, and access a playlist here. 

An image can be downloaded here.

Supported by YouTube Music, Arts Council England, Creative Scotland and the Scottish Music Industry Association, Accelerator was launched in January 2019 with the goal of helping upcoming music managers develop long-term sustainable businesses. 

Recognising the increasingly pivotal role of the music manager to finance, develop and facilitate artist careers, the programme provides both financial and educational support – offering 12-month grants of up to £15,000, alongside expert-led professional development training. 

To date, more than 45 music managers from around the UK have benefitted from Accelerator and built an enviable track record of successes. Despite the horrific and ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, 2020’s participants have exhibited incredible resilience with notable achievements including:

• Top 10 and Top 20 albums for Nafe Smallz (managed by Ashley Perry, Ozone Music)
• Top 20 album for Dream Wife (managed by Tim Hampson, Candy Artists)
• Cuts for Mandara Beatz and Nyge on Headie One’s Edna (managed respectively by Jade Richardson, Jade-Inc and Chris Grey, Problem Child)
• Nine co-writes for Henry Brill on Jack Garratt’s Top Ten album Love Death & Dancing (managed by Pip Newby, Friends Vs Music)
• Brit-nominated Joy Crookes surpassed 100k YouTube subscribers (managed by Charlie Owen)
• Joesef signed a global record deal AWAL (managed by Lyle Scougall, Manana Management)

Last year also saw Ian Tunstall and Rian Zoll-Khan, who met on 2019’s Accelerator, deliver a Top 3 single for Wes Nelson. Meanwhile, also from 2019’s alumni, Koyejo Oloko guided Moses Boyd to a Mercury nomination for his debut album, Dark Matter, while Loretta Andrews saw her newly-signed client, Jake Issac, make his US television debut on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. 

Accelerator Programme 2020

Reflecting the true depth and diversity of British music, Accelerator’s 20 2020 cohort participants are drawn from across the UK and represent an extraordinary range of 66 artists, songwriters and producers – from drill rappers and heavy rock bands to experimental instrumental groups and award-winning jazz ensembles. They include managers of acts shortlisted for the BRIT Awards Rising Star, the BBC Sound of 2020, BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Hot for 2020 and the Mercury Prize.

Over half the group are from outside London. 38% are female, and 52% are from black and ethnic backgrounds. Only three currently operate as full-time music managers, with the majority balancing this role with other freelance, consultative or short term employment.

The full list of participants can be viewed HERE.

Accelerator Programme 2019

In 2019 24 managers were competitively selected from 134 applications. They represent over 54 artists, songwriters, producers and DJ’s. They received £300,000 direct investment from YouTube Music. Collectively they were offered 1,920 hours of training and learning supported by £57,000 of public investment. Individuals have spent up to 80 hours on attending professional development days.

Successes of the Accelerator Managers in 2019 include: Artists represented have performed to approximately 343,500 live audiences in the first 9 months of 2019. Artists represented collectively surpassing 161,692,000 streams across all platforms. Accelerator has networked the managers with new contacts building over 243 new industry relationships for the cohort. Three artists Shakka, Jonas Arden and TENDER gathering over £100K subscribers on YouTube. Guest speakers at events have included Lyor Cohen (YouTube Music), Tom Windish (Paradigm Agency), Claire Mera-Nelson (Arts Council England), Rachel Davis (BBC Music) and manager G Frsh (Yxng Bane).

The full list of participants can be viewed HERE.