New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Reinforcing its commitment to supporting emerging talent, as well as the next generation of music industry professionals - music talent development organisation, talent incubator, educator and charity Urban Development has announced an incredible line-up for its
Industry Takeover Showcase and Seminar at this year's The Great Escape festival in Brighton on the afternoon of Friday 19th May.
The
Industry Takeover Showcase, held at The Queens Hotel, will feature performances from hot talent such as Paigey Cakey, Tizzy & Brandz and The Masks, all three being Urban Development supported artists. They will be joined by Kojey Radical and Folly Rae.
Urban Development has also teamed up with Universal
Music to host a special edition
Industry Takeover Seminar at The Old Courtroom, which will be chaired by
Music Week. The seminar aims to unpack the business behind the urban music scene and what this means in the future for young music industry professionals, independent and emerging artists. Urban Development and Universal
Music have brought together a panel of music industry experts Alex Boateng (Head of Urban, Island Records), Tasha Demi (Product manager, Polydor Records), Zeon Richards (Director, Renowned) and Joss Meek (Head of Digital, Wired PR).
The
Industry Takeover Seminar panel will be exploring how to grow the British urban music scene, what the role of major labels and label services should be for urban artists, looking at some of the recent innovative partnerships, joint ventures and deals between independently-minded talent and forward-thinking major labels.
The Great Escape 'Delegate Ticket', 'Festival Ticket' and 'Day Ticket' holders will be able to access the showcase. The Great Escape 'Delegate Ticket' holders and those with access to the convention will be able to attend the seminar.
Pamela McCormick, Founder and
Director of Urban Development said "It's incredibly exciting to announce Urban Development's lineup for The Great Escape this year, showcasing Paigey Cakey, who we co-manage, as well as The Masks and Tizzy & Brandz - all three of whom we have supported with Accelerator deals. We are delighted to bring our
Industry Takeover strand to The Great Escape, also our partnership with Universal
Music is part of a long-standing relationship with a mutual goal in growing a sector that is brimming with talent. It is all part of our purpose to develop, champion and educate diverse, young musical talent from the British urban music scene. With more innovative talent development activity being announced later this year, this is all part of our continuing commitment to build a centre of excellence for UK urban music, while playing an integral role within the music industry as a whole."
Alex Boateng added "As a friend of Urban Development, it's a huge privilege to be part of the
Industry Takeover Seminar panel at The Great Escape. Urban Development nominated me and supported my application to the BBC Urban
Music Bursary when I graduated from university, and I worked for the organisation for a short time thereafter, I am also a trustee of the Urban Development Foundation charity. This seminar panel was created following Island's announcement to establish an urban division, both Island and Urban Development want to grow the UK urban music scene, so it was perfect to team up with Urban Development to put this together."
Paigey Cakey added "Urban Development have been there to support and look after my career as I develop and grow as an artist. It's amazing to have an organisation that does such great work and is so influential in the music industry in my corner. I can't wait to join UD at The Great Escape this year."
Urban Development, founded 16 years ago, is unique amongst youth music charities through its pivotal role within British urban music, as well as the wider UK music industry. The organisation, with its core audience demographic of 14-25 year old BAME, supports:
- Artists - through Urban Development Music, which operates like a record label, talent incubator, production house, recording studio and publisher, with a growing roster of artists, such as
Devlin (in partnership with Believe and publishing company Bucks
Music Group) and Paigey Cakey. The core purpose is to add commercial value to the British music industry.
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Music industry hopefuls - Urban Development hosts successful music
Industry events such as
Industry Takeover Seminars and
Industry Takeover All-Dayer that encourage young people to become consumers of live music, as well as enabling grassroots talent to hone their craft and derive inspiration from established artists. By bringing in artists, high profile music industry partners, speakers and media, the events are designed to help the next generation of music industry professionals develop their business and creative knowledge, skills and connections.
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Future music talent - with a long list of well known alumni, the charitable, education and outreach arm Urban Development
Music Foundation (UDMF) operates in the country's poorest and most diverse boroughs and is aimed at high potential young musicians across the UK. The talent development programme's remit is to serve new and emerging talent that will be 75% BAME and at least 25%, so they come away with recognised qualifications to progress to careers as artists, higher education and music industry employment via its Urban Artist School and Accelerator Programme.
Urban Development supports its artists via funding from PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner scheme. The Great Escape showcase and seminar has been supported by wider funding from Arts Council England Ambition for Excellence, the seminar is also supported by funding from Vivendi Create Joy.
