Creative consultant Yaw Owusu architects projects that integrate music, culture and content-production, delivering
long-term impact for creatives, brands, organisations and communities.
After completing University in 2005, Yaw launched URBEATZ as a music and media organisation, soon establishing itself throughout the UK for its award-winning brand of music, film and media projects, celebrated for creativity, innovation and enterprise.
In 2011, Yaw set up creative consultancy agency Nothin But The Music (NBTM) which has gone on to programme
and curate a number of key music events and projects with clients including MTV, BET, Liverpool International
Music Festival, BBC Radio 1 Academy, MOBO, Boiler Room, Levi’s, LFC and the Competitor Group. In addition, NBTM have released a number of singles and music projects that have earned acclaim, major syncs, and national and international radio support. NBTM recently partnered with THE PLAYMAKER GROUP (PMG) forming a dynamic multi-strand music and entertainment company, with past and current clients including many sector-
leading brands, organisations and artists including Nike, AEG, Sony, Universal Records, The Fader, BBC Radio, MTV, and more.
Yaw has established himself as a key talent developer; heading up the award-winning LIMF Academy, continuing to scout and consult for major labels as well as A&Ring for, and developing new talent. The latest instalment of the
LIMF Academy programme which develops, showcases and supports the best unsigned music talent in Merseyside, launched this Autumn. The Academy is known for helping launch the careers of the likes of Michael
Aldag, XamVolo, Pizzagirl, RVHEEM, Sub Blue, Amber Jay, Eleanor Nelly and more.
In 2017, Yaw, alongside Grammy-winning producer Seani B and Ray Paul, founded BrukOut Entertainment and
launched a joint venture Record Label with Universal, BrukOut Records. So far, BrukOut have released records that have received playlist positions on key radio and streaming platforms as well as impacting national club charts. BrukOut curate events, various playlists and provide content for international media platforms.
In August 2020, Yaw began working with PRS Foundation as a Programme Consultant to build POWER UP, a new and pioneering initiative that empowers Black music creators and executives as part of PRS Foundation’s actions following Black Lives Matter movement conversations. He was appointed to the Senior Management role in December 2020, and now integrates the programme learnings and actions across the organisation. As well as that, Yaw designs and oversees the Power Up Participant Programme which annually elevates exciting 40 Black music creators and industry professionals and addresses barriers for those at crucial career stages through grant support, networks, mentoring, coaching, masterclasses and much much more. POWER UP partners include YouTube Music, Spotify, Believe Digital, Beggars Group and many more.
In August 2020, Yaw launched ON RECORD MERSEYSIDE, an annual contemporary festival of celebration and
exploration of Black Music on Merseyside and the role it has played in communities over the past 70 years. ON
RECORD includes live performances, multi-arts commissions, exclusive debates and talks and original content. ON RECORD has also partnered with the University of Liverpool to produce a project called REMAP which explores the challenges in establishing music careers experienced by Black musicians and industry practitioners living and working in the Liverpool City Region (LCR). Alongside a documentary, which looks at the experiences of specific Black music creators from Merseyside through a previous URBEATZ project from 2011, REMAP includes an online survey designed to generate a more complete picture of the current situation across the LCR. The results of the survey will be detailed in a report presented to the LCR Black Music Action group, with a view to informing the policies, recommendations and actions of the Liverpool City Region Music Board.
Throughout 2021 Yaw executive produced Our Black History Heroes for CBBC, comprising 22 short animated
videos that have young people from across the UK selecting their Black History Heroes. The shows were
broadcasted on CBBC throughout October 2021. Over the same period, Yaw produced a documentary for BBC
World Service on globally acclaimed Sports Architect, Dan Meis (Staples Centre, Stadio Della Roma and Everton
FC’s new ground) and an acclaimed documentary on civil rights activist Marcus Garvey for BBC Radio 4.
He designed and developed the upcoming Everything R&B live tour with BBC Radio 1Xtra’s R&B specialist and
presenter, Ace. The project will recruit and develop 5 emerging R&B artists from 5 different cities by giving them
knowledge and connections within the live music industry, enhancing their performance skills and introducing them to new audiences across Britain as they tour the UK.
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Yaw is a board member of the Liverpool City Region Music Board, one of the leads of the Liverpool City Region
Black Music Action Group and a board member for leading music talent and digital sector development
organisation, Generator NE.
