| FEATURE |
East London’s music talent hub reaches further ground
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| By Samantha Watson - 15.5.2006 |
On the way to my interview with Urban Development I bump into hiphop choreographer Kenrick. We briefly chat about the usual goings on in our lives and then I watch as he is filmed running up a wall, flip off and then land on his feet.
Of course it is not in the slightest a simple move but it is a simple reflection of some of the talent in London that often stares right back at you on the streets.
Attending events like Urban East highlights the wealth of ability London has to offer in music from vocalists, entrepreneurs, rappers to producers. Organisations like Urban Development (UD) have helped push this means forward.
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“So here’s an artist, she doesn’t have enough material to get a deal, no one wants to take the plunge and invest in her, we do instead” a case given by artist development consultant, Jade Richardson. It is through my interview with her that I realise how rightly justified her words are.
For over 4 years Urban Development has built a name for itself as a “one-stop organisation” mentoring many entrepreneurs, established and aspiring music artists from the likes of Mpho Skeef, Soundbwoy Ents, J2K to Rinse FM.
Throughout east London the organisation, run by a team of eight, has gained a reputation through its music course programmes, seminars and live shows.
Sat inside the buzz of entertainment venue, Stratford Circus and home to UD offices, I talked to Richardson about the organisation and her work.
Richardson, a former A&R at Polydor Records, has for the past two years co-ordinated the Artist Development Programme. In the programme she provides music artists the opportunity to receive business and career advice, training, studio time, mentorship by experienced artists and a six to 12 month career plan for those on the scheme.
“The key with the work we do is to support young artists and businesses and help bridge the gap between the industry and what happens before they get out there.
“We offer courses to people who just really want to further their skills in music because its something that they enjoy it does not all have to be about the career” she said.
Labels
About two years ago UD created two record labels, Documented and UD Whites which offer high end artist development structured on public funding money.
Through the labels they signed the R&B artist Mpho Skeef. No other label wanted to sign her at the time because they felt that she did not have enough material. Now Mypho Skeef, whose album was funded by UD, has been offered a record deal by another record company after a lot of the body of her work was completed at UD.
Much of the programmes at UD involve production techniques, mixing, vocal training and song writing which are run by experienced artists, producers and DJs for instance Shola Ama, Fusion, Peaches, Tony Nwachukwu and Matt White.
Richardson then goes on to speak of the artist Fumin from the group Fire Camp. Fumin was in a position where he could not necessarily release or afford to fund his own material so UD released his EP and his forthcoming mix CD.
“So that’s an example of high end artist development where it works, it’s proven” she said.
Successes
Not only Mpho Skeef and Fumin, Richardson regarded artists such as Tor and Lord of the Decks as other success stories. Both artists won cash rewards for their music projects after being put forward by UD for the Fame Academy Bursary Fund.
From the start UD’s philosophy has been to empower young people and their creative potential, part of that role includes outreach work in local schools. I asked her if the company had achieved what it first set out to do when it began.
“I think so and it’s always expanding. Initially when I was doing A&R [at Polydor] it was smaller and now I’d say the company if anything is growing faster.”
The only drawback she has found is not being able to offer many of their services to other London boroughs apart from the attachment areas, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Hackney.
“Well we try not to turn people away but we have to focus in this area because a lot of our funding comes from Newham” she explained.
Despite this Urban Development has made an impact. Its music courses, showcase events, mentorships, impending release of material from the likes of male artist Randolf Matthews via the UD record labels have made progressive steps in developing talent.
Describing her work Richardson gasped “It is hard but it’s an exciting period. I really feel that it is important that we can help the people that generally deserve it and want it”.
For more information on Urban Development contact them on 0208 536 0630.
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www.urbandevelopment.co.uk
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