From pop to rock, to folk and indie – and all our favourites like garage, R&B, hip hop and soul too – black women are leaving their indelible mark on the global music industry.

Read journalism, commentary and original interviews from Black Ballad.

“How many dark-skinned black women do you see thriving in the UK charts today? We really need to explore how we can change the narrative.”

– The Garage Goddess Returns: Talking 20 Years Of Music With Sabrina Washington

“I tried gay clubs. As someone who identifies as queer, I thought they would be more inclusive but I didn't feel comfortable there either.”

– Black, Queer And Clubbing In Scotland: My Journey To Founding A Club Night

“I once worked for a company where, as the only black woman in the room, I was constantly having to explain our culture.”

– The Black Women Making Things Happen In The UK Music Industry

“I imagined they’d told each other about Poly Styrene and Betty Davis and Nona Hendryx and all the other Black women rockers whose stories I wouldn’t know until I was older.”

– Finding Myself (And My Black Foremothers) In Rock Music

“So what is the secret? I want to know because Jay can't claim this knowledge like it hasn't been said before.”

– 4:44, Black Wealth & Building Trust: Why Should We Listen To JAY-Z?

“Growing up in Wales while being heavily influenced by my Jamaican roots, I feel very strongly that being Welsh-Jamaican is who I am and I carry that everywhere I go.”

– Being A Welsh Reggae Artist Is Not The Oxymoron You Think It Is!

“Where do we draw the line? Do we stop listening to the music of artists who have criminal records? Avoid the songs of those who don’t pay their taxes?”

– The Shame of Enjoying Problematic Music

“From All Saints and the Sugababes to Big Brovaz and Mis-Teeq, British bands had black women just like me in them.”

– Our National Treasures: The Black Women in Noughties British Music And Beyond