YouTube Taps Slick Rick To Mentor Second ‘#YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class’

YouTube has today announced the cohort of participants for its second annual #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class.

The venture will see the video giant taking under its wing 54 artists, songwriters, and producers from across the globe, and bestowing them with educational and networking programs, dedicated partner support, seed funding, and other perks.

It’s part of YouTube’s overarching #YouTubeBlack Voices Fund — a $100 million, multi-year commitment announced in June to amplify Black voices across the platform.

The second annual Music Class will for the first time have a dedicated mentor member in hip hop icon Slick Rick, who will share his experiences with participants in the program.

“YouTube is still committed to amplifying Black voices and music on our platform, so we knew we had to go even bigger for the #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class of 2022,” Lyor Cohen, YouTube’s global head of music, said in a statement. “We’ve added new members, new regions, and of course the legendary Slick Rick The Ruler, as our first ever mentor member.”

YouTube announced its inaugural #YouTubeBlack Voices Music Class earlier this year — and operates a comparable fund for native video creators. While the first Music Class exclusively featured artists, the second cohort comprises songwriters and producers, who are all being encouraged to collaborate.

You can check out the artists that have been named to the 2022 class below, and the full list of songwriters and producers right here.

• Azawi (Kampala, Uganda)
• Barkaa (Barkindji Nation, Western NSW)
• Blanco Brown (Atlanta, Georgia, United States)
• Bree Runway (East London, England, United Kingdom)
• Budjerah (Fingal Head, Australia),
• Cico P (Jacksonville, Texas, United States)
• Cimafunk (Pinar del Rio, Cuba)
• CKay (Anambra, Nigeria)
• Dijon (Ellicott City, Maryland, United States)
• Elaine (Pretoria, South Africa)
• EST Gee (Louisville, Kentucky, United States)
• Jonathan Ferr (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
• Jords (Croydon, England, United Kingdom)
• Kadhja Bonet (Long Beach, California, United States)
• Kamille (London, England, United Kingdom)
• Liniker (São Paulo, Brazil)
• Liza (Toronto, Canada)
• midwxst (Carmel, Indiana, United States)
• Monaleo (Houston, Texas, United States)
• Nija (Union City, New Jersey, United States)
• NorthSideBenji (Toronto, Canada)
• NSG (London, England, United Kingdom)
• Omah Lay (Port Harcourt, Nigeria)
• Rico Dalasam (São Paulo, Brazil)
• Savannah Ré (Toronto, Canada)
• Tai Verdes (Palos Verdes, Los Angeles, CA)
• Tamera (Kent, England)
• Tasha & Tracie (São Paulo, Brazil)
• Teezo Touchdown (Beaumont, Texas, United States)
• whiterosemoxie (Detroit, Michigan, United States)
• Slick Rick The Ruler (from The Bronx, New York United States)