MOBO Amplified

MOBO Amplified is a 12-month programme supporting musicians creating music of Black origin to grow sustainable careers. 

Musicians creating music of Black origin face continual structural barriers to building sustainable careers, including unequal access to funding, industry networks, and professional development opportunities. Research shows they are less likely to earn a full-time income from music and less likely to feel they can progress within the industry.

Help Musicians, in partnership with MOBO Organisation and MOBO Trust, designed the Amplified programme to address these challenges. Through mentoring, business advice, industry access and funding of up to £3,000, the programme is designed to help you overcome barriers and take the next step.

This programme is highly competitive and there are only 15 places available. Please make sure you have read the full eligibility criteria to make sure this is right for you.

If you’re not successful, there are still ways we can support you. We run regular online Business Skills sessions open to all musicians, as well as other services — including mentoring, funding and career development programmes — which have their own eligibility criteria. Take a look at what might be right for you. 

You must be a working musician and meet the following eligibility criteria: 

• Income: You’ve earned at least 40% of your income from music in the past two years (If you have a long-term health condition or disability, you only need to show some music income) 
• Age: 18 or over 
• Residency: Living in the UK, with the right to live and work here 
• Banking: You have a UK bank account 
• Savings: You don’t have more than £10,000 in savings or other funds that could cover your activity.

Full eligibility criteria can be found here. We strongly recommend you read these before making an application.

Beyond this, you must deliver the activities we’re funding within 12 months of receiving the money. You must also have control over one or more aspects of your career, i.e., self-managing, self-releasing or self-producing 

This support is for musicians looking to take the next step or expand your career, those working with one or more of these genres:

• Hip-Hop
• Grime
• Drill
• R&B/Soul
• African Music
• Electronic/​Dance Music
• Gospel
• Jazz
• Caribbean Music
• Alternative Music

You might be a budding artist with the right momentum to release a debut EP, or an established producer wanting to build out your career by moving into live performance.

Full eligibility criteria and details of what our panel are looking for can be found on our FAQs and guidance page.

• Up to £3,000 that can be used to fund your own music
• 1−2−1 Business Advice from industry experts 
• Online meet ups with other awardees and industry guests
• Peer and industry mixer event in London 

Applications for MOBO Amplified is open for applications. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 26 June.