In June applications for the YouTube Black Voices of 2022 programme opened up and now the representatives from across the globe have been chosen.

A roster of 53 artists have been selected, with eight coming from the African continent and three specifically from SA – Elaine, Major League DJz and DJ Lag.

“Supported by the #YouTube Black Voices Fund, the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2022 is a development programme designed to directly support and mentor Black artists, songwriters & producers worldwide,” explains YouTube in a press release sent to Hypertext.

“The addition of songwriters and producers to the 2022 class demonstrates the continuation and expansion of YouTube’s efforts to support Black artists on the platform,” it added.

The full roster from Africa is:

“African music is taking the entire world by storm and the #YouTubeBlackVoices Fund is an opportunity to both celebrate and nurture African artistry and help songwriters, producers and artists share their craft with global audiences,” adds YouTube’s head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa, Addy Awofisayo, commenting on the significance of the programme.

“Black culture is expansive and ever-changing and YouTube Music is committed to celebrating that experience through music,” she adds.

As you can see in the table above, the class will be grouped into two programme streams – one for artists and one for songwriters and producers.

YouTube says over the next six months, they will also get opportunities to develop their catalogues and collaborate with other global artists, songwriters, and producers who have also been selected to take part in the programme.

Congrats to those selected and we cannot wait to see what happens with YouTube offering them support.

[Image – Photo by Alexander Shatov on Unsplash]