Yeah Youth & Dopereaders present an exclusive youth-focused event for Executive Vice President of Warner Music, Darcus Beese, with an interactive book launch and Q+A for young creatives to celebrate the launch of his upcoming memoir Rebel with a Cause: The Black CEO who made Hits and History. This event is perfect for all aspiring artists and creatives who are curious about the career path and experiences of the music industry and entrepreneurship.

Location: Rich Mix, Bethnal Green Road, London E1 6LA.

Time: 7-9pm

The event: Darcus will be interviewed by Amelia Poamz (BBC) offering the young audience to be in conversation with the author about his incredible career. Limited copies of the book will be FREE to all YEAH audiences and you have the opportunity to have it signed on the night. There will be some guest performances on the night!

About the Book:

The must-read memoir from Darcus Beese - the UK's first Black record company CEO and one of the greatest A&Rs of his generation. From growing up as a teenager on the streets of West London to running one of the biggest record labels in the world in New York - this is a truly remarkable rags to riches tale.

Rebel With a Cause is the story of how a teenage apprentice hairdresser from Fulham worked his way up from tea boy to head one of the UK's biggest and most successful record labels, Island Records, signing and nurturing some of the greatest artists of the twenty-first century - from Amy Winehouse and Jessie J to U2 and Florence and the Machine.

But this is also the story of a young man raised in musically fertile and politically febrile times. His activist parents Darcus Howe and Barbara Beese were tireless campaigners for racial equality at a time when racism was rife, not only on the streets, in schools and on the terraces, but also in the highest institutions of power. Fighting for equality - for himself and for his artists - has therefore been a key part of Darcus's life.

This is the incredible tale of an indomitable leader, an industry pioneer and rebel with a true cause.

About Darcus Beese:

Darcus Beese OBE spent thirty years working at Island Records where he became the first black CEO of a UK record company when he was made president of Island Records UK.
He is regarded as one of the best A&Rs of his generation, signing and nurturing the likes of Amy Winehouse, Florence and the Machine, Mumford and Sons, Taio Cruz and Jessie J.
Darcus is now executive vice-president of Warner Music UK and runs his own Darco label. He lives in London with his family.

About Dopereaders Book Club:

Aiming to cultivating healthy relationships with books, plus improve literacy one word at a time, Dope Readers Club is a space for a compassionate community to connect with the books that matter.

The club has created meetups and donated books to great causes, with the mission to get everyone easy access to books. The most recent donation was to Kensal Rise train station in London, to help restock their station bookcase, thanks to the generosity of members. They have suggestions on their page for inspiring lockdown reads such as The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari by Robin Sharma, The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield and The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. Join the Dope Readers on Instagram at @dopereaders.club.

About Yeah Youth UK:

Young Educational Arts Hub (YEAH) is a creative project, engaging young people through interactive experiences and workshops within urban music genres.

YEAH YOUTH focuses on developing skills in music, providing exciting opportunities & sparking creativity through mentoring & informing young people of the potential careers in the arts & entertainment industry. Their unique style of delivery & facilitation has encouraged over 1000 self registered young people to engage and attend our projects.

YEAH YOUTH UK CIC is founded & delivered by experienced artists currently active in the UK music scene.