Urban Music Scheme 2008 Winners
Congratulations to the following musicians who have all been awarded Urban Music Bursaries to help them develop their musical careers.
£10,000 award winners
Anita Blay aka 'the cocknbullkid'
Background: London
Background: Singer/Songwriter Anita is currently the subject of a lot of buzz in the industry having just signed a publishing deal.
She has played at the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury and her debut single 'On My Own' was released in July 2008 to great national reviews.
Adetokunbo ‘T’ Oyelola
Location: London
Background: Adetokunbo founded an entertainment company called 'Black Grape Productions' a few years ago while at University and the company has seen steady growth since.
Black Grape Productions is an entertainment company structured around the concept of a bunch of grapes. Each grape represents a different venture of the business. The active ventures at the moment are Artist Management and Event Management.
Jay Diamond aka ‘Lady Jay UK’
Location: Manchester
Background: Presenter/Journalist/Artist, Lady Jay currently hosts a radio show online, writes for hiphop websites and magazines.
She has created a successful DVD around interviews she has done with urban artists both in the UK and USA. The funding will help her to produce a second DVD, creating a brand that supports up and coming artists.
Andreya Triana
Location: Brighton
Background:Singer/Songwriter Andreya is currently working on an album with Bonobo (signed to Ninja Tune).
The funding will allow her to finish her album quickly, hire rehearsal space, a musical director and musicians so she can prepare for tour and promote her new album.
Mary Wakelam
Background: Birmingham
Background: Mary studied saxophone at Birmingham Conservatoire and currently works full time for as a promoter for Birmingham Jazz.
As well as being an instrumentalist, Mary composes and leads a 7-piece band which fuses jazz and hip-hop.
Fabien Facey aka 'Solja'
Location: Manchester
Background: Full time MC Solja has created a very successful pilot project with Mothers Against Violence, using urban music workshops in schools to address gun and knife crime issues.
He has done business training and would like to become a full time events manager and hopes to take school projects on tour outside Manchester.