Urban Music Talent 2009 Winners
We're happy to announce our fifteen 2009 Urban Music Talent scheme winners, who will all receive funding to help them achieve their musical ambitions.
£10,000 award winners
Tom Sweetman AKA 1 Step
Location: Plymouth/Surrey/London
Background: While not being a booking agent or tour-manager for artists such as Jurassic 5’s Akil the MC, Tom Sweetman is a hip-hop producer and has supported the likes of Grand Master Flash, Skinnyman, Sway, Taskforce and Roots Manuva. His style combines various genres and he strives to include completely unique sounds rather than following the herd.
He is also in the process of launching his own genre called ‘Eco Hop,’ which combines his production skills with a variety of vocal talents, beats and melodies played entirely on recycled junk. Tom now wants to raise awareness about Eco Hop and raise the profile of his production duo The Krate Krusaders, with live shows and more collaborations all planned for the near future. He is also setting up his own booking agency and tour management company that will launch this year.
"This grant is life changing and I can’t thank the BBC Performing Arts Fund team enough. Look out for 1 Step music and everything I’m involved in."
» 1 Step on MySpace
» Eco Hop on MuSpace
» Krate Krusaders on MySpace
Dominic Dadson
Location: London
Background: Dominic is an experienced and established session keyboard player, having toured and gigged with the likes of Shola Ama and Mariah Carey. However, he is now focusing his attention on exposing new musical talent across the whole urban music spectrum and more. He is doing this through his innovative new website, The Cordless Show (now sponsored by Roland), which features high quality video recordings of live sets by artists and insightful interviews with industry professionals, all of which are available for download.
The aim of the website is to provide a vital link between up and coming performers and members of the recording, television and radio industries. The idea has proved incredibly popular already, getting over 1000 hits a day and requests from hundreds of unsigned artists wanting to appear on the show, all through just word of mouth. Plans for the future include 30 new Cordless Show episodes by February 2010 and a move into live events and university tours. Dominic has also just been nominated as one of 20 Europrix Multimedia Award winners, selected from 333 entries across 31 countries, which will further help the Cordless Show project gain international exposure and recognition.
"I am delighted to have won this award! A big thank you to everyone who has supported us so far."
» The Cordless Show
Ryan Hunn AKA Illum Sphere
Location: Manchester
Background: Having learned the ins and outs of the music industry by working at labels such as Fat City in Manchester, Ryan Hunn is ready to launch himself as an original producer. His unique sound, which is described as ‘rugged, dusty and futuristic,’ encompasses hip-hop, dub, dubstep and electronica amongst other things and comes highly recommended by none other than Mr Scruff! Ryan’s club night Hoya:Hoya has featured big underground names such as Flying Lotus, Daedelus, Benji B and Rustie.
Ryan’s intention for the night has always been to book acts which deserve exposure but are often overlooked by major venues. He now intends to use his insider music industry knowledge and the Hoya:Hoya name to launch his own record label.
"I can't believe it! The standard seemed extremely high so I feel very privileged to get this award!"
» Illum Sphere on MySpace
Julian Amoah AKA Jai Amore
Location: London
Background:Jai Amore is a man with big plans. Having already experienced success with such high-profile gigs as a performance at the 2006 MOBO awards, as well as winning a MOBO Unsigned Award of his own, he is now working on a book and documentary following his path to success in the hope that other aspiring young artists can follow in his footsteps.
He is well known amongst his fans for his pop/R’n’B styles and live singing and dancing, but Jai is also a prolific songwriter for himself and others. He is now working on his recording and production skills with the aim of establishing a studio and nurturing new talent.
"I am so excited about the prospects of growing and becoming something great with the help of the BBC, no less! And with all that I’ve learnt already through the Performing Arts Fund I now have the ammunition I need to take my career to the heights it deserves!"
» Jai Amore on MySpace
Kofi Owusu AKA KOF
Location: Liverpool
Background: Kofi is a rapper and performer already making big waves in his hometown and across the country. He comes strongly recommended by Radio 1Xtra’s Ras Kwame, who says that KOF is ‘definitely one of the top talents and most hard-working urban acts we have here in the UK,’ and that his success would inspire other regional talent in a London-dominated scene. Kofi writes, records, produces, mixes and masters his own material, never letting genre pigeon-hole him.
His unique brand of hip-hop has an electro/house/RnB/Dance edge which gets crowds jumping and he has even worked with indie and rock musicians on his forthcoming album. This summer Kofi has wowed crowds of thousands at Glastonbury’s Introducing stage and the Matthew Street Festival to name a few. He is also the cofounder of URBEATZ, a music, media and youth culture company which nurtures and encourages other local talent.
"Winning this award funding is great and is definitely going to enable me to put out a stronger project marketing wise, as well as help me sustain the climb to success."
» Kofi Music Official Site
» KOF on MySpace
» KOF at Glastonbury
Meet the rest of the winners for 2009
Biographies and information written and compiled by Rob Blazey, Sept 2009
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