Working in a hair salon led British record executive Darcus Beese to Amy Winehouse and a life creating hits. On the 20th anniversary of the release of Back to Black, we revisit the making of that influential album through Darcus’ reflections on his career in the music business and the rise and fall of the star.
Darcus Beese grew up in 1970s London, the son of British Black Panthers and activists. His unique upbringing was often chaotic, but he found solace listening to music and collecting vinyl. A job sweeping up at a posh hairdressers thrust Darcus into the company of tastemakers in the TV and music industry. He learned how to network and this led him to a junior role at Island Records, world famous for signing artists like Bob Marley.
Finding his calling a talent scout for Island, Darcus spent weeks on the road, going to gigs and listening to demo tapes, all in the hope of discovering the next big thing. It paid off when he heard an early demo by jazz singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse. Together they went on to score huge international success, winning multiple Grammy awards with Amy’s iconic music.
In 2011 the music stopped; Amy was found dead at her London home. Darcus tells Mobeen Azhar how he remembers Amy and how he found a new start, becoming CEO of Island’s operations in the US. Although successfully signing artists like Sabrina Carpenter, turbulent events – the Covid pandemic and the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd – made Darcus decide to exit the industry after three decades.
Presenter: Mobeen Azhar
Producer: Tommy Dixon
The Grammys archive is used courtesy of the Recording Academy®
This interview was first broadcast in March 2025
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(Photo: Amy Winehouse, in a white dress with a red sash, sits on a low brick wall beside Darcus Beese, who is wearing a navy t-shirt and jeans. Amy hugs Darcus as the pair pose together outside a brick-fronted London house Credit: Mischa Richter)
