ESEA Music was established in September 2021 as a non-profit community group led by UK-based East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) music industry professionals and artists. Over the past three years, we’ve grown from a group of 12 to over 400 members, with a mission to enhance representation and raise awareness of ESEA professionals and artists within the UK music industry.
An introduction:
  • ESEA represents the East and Southeast Asian diaspora, including people from countries such as China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, and beyond.
  • The 2024 UK Music Workforce Diversity Survey revealed that ESEA individuals account for 3.22% of the industry, yet we remain a sidelined minority.
  • Our “(Re)Orientated” survey found that ESEA members rated their representation in the UK music industry at an average of 4 out of 10, highlighting the need for continued advocacy.
  • We support ESEA talent through initiatives such as reports, community meet-ups, mentorship schemes, writing camps, and activism, while advocating for better representation and visibility.
  • We’ve partnered with organisations across the industry, including Arts Council, WeTransfer, Platoon, Spotify, Universal Music, Sony Music, and Warner Music.
Join us: As we celebrate ESEA Heritage Month, we invite BPI members to champion our work not just in the month of September, but throughout the year. Let’s expand the profile of ESEA voices and creativity to ensure that they’re increasingly platformed and valued. We encourage ESEA employees at BPI member organisations to join the community and help create a richer music industry that genuinely reflects the diversity of the UK. 
Find out more about us and our activities during ESEA Heritage Month and sign up here