Nine Eight signs memoir from 'legendary' music executive Darcus Beese

Nine Eight – the dedicated music imprint of Bonnier’s Black & White Publishing Group – has acquired Rebel With a Cause from music-industry executive Darcus Beese, the former president of Island Records in the UK and the first black c.e.o. of a UK record company.

Pete Selby, publishing director of Nine Eight, acquired world all-language rights from David Olusegun. Publication is scheduled for 15th August 2024.

Rebel With a Cause is described as “the remarkable story of Darcus Beese: legendary music-industry executive, OBE and a man Music Week described as ’one of the great A&R people of his or any generation’."

The publisher goes on: “It is the story of how a teenage Londoner (and apprentice hairdresser) worked his way up from the post room to head up one of the UK’s biggest and most successful record labels, Island Records, signing and nurturing some of the greatest artists of the 21st century – most notably Amy Winehouse. And it is the story of how Darcus went to New York to run Island USA but became despondent at what he saw and encountered.

“It is also the story of a young man raised in musically fertile and politically febrile times. Activist parents Darcus Howe and Barbara Beese were prominent activists in west London during 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 inevitable for Darcus. This is the incredible tale of an inspirational leader and rebel with a true cause.”

Beese, who has recently launched his own label at Warner Music in the UK, said: “It feels unreal to me. As a kid I never thought or dreamed that one day I would be writing my story, let alone having it published. But now I think why not me? Growing up in a family of activists, a mother and father who fought to change British society, I’ve always understood the importance of using your voice, always felt a duty to speak my mind and stand up for what was right.

“Writing the book, looking back over my 50-plus years, I really appreciate how blessed I am to have such a strong beautiful family and to have enjoyed the most amazing experiences working alongside some of the greatest musical talents. Hopefully there’s plenty more to come. If this book inspires one kid to believe in themselves, to stay true to themselves, then it’ll be worthwhile.”

Selby said: “Darcus is one of the great music people of the past 25 years; a compassionate firebrand, musical zealot and no-bullshit ringleader. But Rebel With A Cause is also a book about family – be that growing up with his revolutionary parents Darcus Howe and Barbara Beese, at his second home of Island Records or the impact and influence of his own children. It’s an incredible story about how one man played a system which was stacked against him from birth and ended up going all the way to the top.”