The must-read memoir from Darcus Beese - the first black president of Island Records 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 teaboy 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. Darcus Beese OBE spent thirty years working at Island Records where he became the first black president of a major label when he was made head 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 president of Darco Artist Partnerships. He lives in London with his family. The fascinating memoir of Island Records label legend Darcus Beese. The Beese family has recently been the subject of a high-profile film by award-winning director Steve McQueen: 'Mangrove'. Darcus has recently launched his own label at Warner Music in the UK where he will once again become a central figure in driving change and creativity across the British music industry. Darcus's aim with his story is to demonstrate and inspire young black communities to follow in his footsteps, proving that success can be acquired irrespective of background and lack of privilege or potential. This will be a core element of the publication's promotion and placement within the market.
