During National Black Business Month, we celebrate the talent, ingenuity, and community impact of black-owned and black-led enterprises, elevating stories that inspire and create pathways for growth.
/// Mixtape Madness
Three young black males hailing from inner-city London council estates within a one-mile radius came together 15 years ago to build a platform that has gone on to empower countless young, talented creatives to enhance their craft and build wealth through their art. Mixtape Madness’ three founders had no outside investment and no bank of mum and dad; it went from a bedroom passion project to an independent U.K. powerhouse for black music.
/// Swangz Avenue
Black-owned powerhouse Swangz Avenue is an East African-based entertainment company and creative agency shaping East Africa’s sound. Founded in 2008 by producer Benon Mugumbya and Julius Kyazze, it has grown from a garage studio into a multifaceted home for music, film, advertising, and live events. Swangz Avenue develops and manages standout Ugandan talents, including Azawi, Vinka, Winnie Nwagi, and Elijah Kitaka, delivering culture-defining entertainment and experiences that export Ugandan creativity to the world.
/// NotJustOK
Ademola Ogundele is the Founder and CEO of NotjustOk, a pioneering media and entertainment company that has been amplifying African music and culture since 2006. With operations rooted in Lagos and Atlanta, NotjustOk has become a trusted voice in the Afrobeats community, combining its influential music website with the distribution powerhouse NotjustOk Distribution. Today, the platform reaches over 6 million followers across social platforms and more than 500,000 monthly users on its website.
A Media and Music Entrepreneur, Ademola launched two groundbreaking initiatives: Afrobeats Rumble, a thrilling fan-powered single-elimination competition where 64 artists battle through six rounds via head-to-head matchups, and Afrobeats Power Ranking, a data-driven monthly chart that evaluates the top artists across streaming performance, new releases, social media engagement, radio, and retail impact. These innovations continue to elevate Afrobeats by spotlighting rising stars, quantifying influence, and fueling fan engagement, all of which underlines Ademola’s enduring influence on the genre’s global ascent.
Berry’s Room is Maleek Berry’s creative brainchild, a label and movement rooted in his British-Nigerian identity. It unlocks new levels of innovation by fusing Afrobeats, R&B, and pop into a sound that connects South London to the world. Berry’s Room embodies artistic freedom, global ambition, and the evolution of culture, evident everywhere from tracks like “Kontrol” to the label’s mission of empowering the next wave of Afrobeats talent.
/// CMP Records
Founded with a vision to amplify underrepresented voices, CMP Records is a Black-owned, independent label owned by Joshua J – a multifaceted artist, singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and rapper, originally from the Netherlands with West African roots. His label is dedicated to nurturing diverse talent and telling authentic stories through music. With a catalog rooted in Black musical traditions, its sound is heavily inspired by gospel, with an infusion of R&B, Afro, and Caribbean styles. CMP Records creates opportunities for artists to thrive creatively and commercially, while staying true to their unique identities. From genre-bending releases to community-driven initiatives, CMP Records champions innovation, inclusivity, and cultural impact.
Image Credit: Joshua J – CMP Records
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