Youth Music

Garrett Laurie

Garrett Laurie is a cinematic dark-pop artist from Belfast. They have performed with the likes of Hex Hue, Stranger Dais, Joel Harkin, and fellow NextGen Fund recipient Niall McDowell. He has also contributed to Problem Pattern’s 'Bangers N’ Pride' compilation in support of LGBTQ art.

Reuben Cottrell

Reuben Cottrell is the founder of Fyah Kamp, an online music platform that spotlights young musical talent in Coventry, particularly in the genre of rap. Fyah Kamp has organised 'Block Radio, Coventry's first underground rap show, organised a performance of 30 Coventry artists at CVX festival, and provided young people with opportunities to perform on the Youth Stage of Godiva Festival. They have also collaborated with Punch Records, Birmingham Hippodrome and DJ Biggoss on a Bar4Bar Cypher event, as well as arranging 'Inspire The Fyah', which brought together over 10 organisations in Coventry to inspire young people to commence their journey in the industry through live performances and panel discussions.

F.witch

F.witch is a singer-songwriter from Brighton. She is a classically trained singer and has performed in various operas by Glyndebourne Youth Opera. The NextGen Fund supported her to produce and release a music video for her song, 'Ice Cream on Mondays'.

Eleanor Kate

Eleanor Kate is an indie pop/folk singer-songwriter based in Nottingham. She has performed her music at venues across Nottingham, including Rough Trade and The Bodega, and has received support from BBC Introducing.

ELATRASI

ELATRASI is a British-Moroccan singer-songwriter, vocalist, composer and pianist. Her music has raised awareness for invisible disability and chronic pain conditions, for which she has won the European Ballad Award at the InterContinental Music Awards, Honourable Mention at Nashville's Unsigned Only, and Third Prize at the International Songwriting Competition. She has also been named an 'Artist To Watch' by BBC Introducing Three Counties Radio.

Call Me Vee

Call Me Vee is a cultural worker, musician and radio producer/presenter based in London. They are currently a producer and presenter on No Signal Radio, where they co-host their original show 'Wake and Make', and they have also been featured on OYOKO | DJMT’s show on Threadz Radio, where they curated music exploring Cameroon’s musical and rhythmic heritage.

Bailey P

Bailey P is a self-taught DJ and producer from West Yorkshire. His tracks have reached the top 20 of the iTunes Dance charts, he has had a guest mix and interview on Kiss FM, and he has been featured in campaigns by JD Sports. He has also received support from BBC Introducing, and has performed in cities across the UK, including Birmingham, Leeds and Sheffield, among others.

Alex West

Alex West is a radio host, freelance event professional, and the founder of 'Closer To Home', a series of live music events based in Berkshire. He has worked as a freelance presenter for BBC Introducing, BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 6Music, Absolute Radio, and BBC Radio 5 Live. He has most notably presented the BBC Introducing show in Berkshire and Oxfordshire, and the Kent Top 40 for commercial station KMFM in Kent - reaching record breaking figures for the timeslot, and in the process overtaking The Official Chart and Big Top 40 in Kent. He also currently has a monthly show on Reprezent in Brixton, where he selects his favourite alternative music from around the world.

Yung Yusuf

Yung Yusuf is a Palestinian rapper based in the East of England. He has performed at a variety of renowned venues and events, including at Independent Week 2025. He also delivers rap workshops in collaboration with charities and social initiatives which support refugees and asylum seekers in the UK, such as Camden Abu Dis Friendship Association (CADFA) and Compass Collect.

yeguachita

yeguachita is a queer and neurodivergent Latin American singer, songwriter, and producer. They make music of all kinds, ranging from hip-hop and cumbia to vaporwave. Their NextGen Funded mixtape '[ BLESSINGS ]' will explore the more experimental side of their work, with a dystopian retrofuturistic/cyberpunk concept that explores the shortcomings of capitalism and colonialism, and how they leave people traumatised and isolated.

Xaira

Xaira is a multidisciplinary artist based in the South East of England. The NextGen Fund is supporting the development of their latest EP, 'Heartbreak Melodies 007'. They have recently been researching and working on a broader project beyond this EP, compiling speculative, futuristic soundscapes from sounds such as those made by the rings of Saturn, and the polyrhythmic modalities of Linquindi (waterdrumming) of the ethnic groups of Baka in Southwestern Cameroon.

Viv Latifa

Viv Latifa is a singer songwriter, performer and recording artist, born in Italy and now based in Edinburgh. She is also a vocal coach for young children, teaching them to sing and write songs. The NextGen Fund is supporting her to write and record four tracks, and create one music video, for her upcoming album.

BANJI

BANJI is a rapper, actor, model and youth leader from Bermondsey, South London. He is one of the founding members, and now Associate Director, of the Spit Game collective. As community leader, he runs rap clubs across London, supporting young people to take ownership of their cultures, develop their craft, and where necessary re-engage with school. BANJI received the Young Leader Award at the Youth Music Awards 2024 for the impact of this work. As an actor and film producer, he has starred in and co-produced two BAFTA-qualifying short films, alongside appearing in a range of other film projects.

Somatic

Somatic is a dual-heritage sound artist, whose creative practice encompasses sound for theatre, dance, screen, club dancefloors and DJing. He has a monthly residency on Subtle Radio, and has performed in cities across the UK, including Oxford, Sheffield, Exeter, Gloucester, Bristol and London, among others. The NextGen Fund has supported Somatic to collaborate and release music with three visual-led artists, to create visual identities for a series of tracks.

Robyn Saunders

Robyn Saunders is a Manchester based clarinettist who specialises in contemporary classical music, musical theatre and drag artistry. They have worked on theatre productions with the likes of the Royal Shakespeare Company, and they are an accomplished music educator. With the support of their NextGen Fund, they plan to host a one-night-only performance on the struggle of childhood isolation, violence and addiction while remembering queer history and celebrating uniqueness.

RIYA

RIYA is an artist from North West England who writes and produces all her own music. She has received support from Rolling Stone, BBC and ITV, and has performed live at XOYO, Macron Stadium, Troxy, Barbican Theatre, Tate, Oxford Union, Manchester Museum and O2 Academy Islington. She has also been an artist resident at The Glasshouse, and was one of 48 participants in Europe to be selected for the Music Cities Network's 'Link Up Euro Connection' programme.

RENOK9000

RENOK9000 is a DJ and producer from North Shields who runs a record label and club night series called STEREO45, based in Newcastle. The club night has enabled him to showcase and provide press opportunities for a significant number of up-and-coming DJs in the local area.

Okeam Briscoe

Okeam Briscoe is a Birmingham-born singer/songwriter who creates R&B and soul music. Okeam has appeared on Jason Derulo's BBC Three show, 'Project Icon', and has performed at renowned venues such as KOKO London. He aims to inspire men with mental health challenges with his 'BOYSCRYTOO.' EP project, which the NextGen Fund is supporting him to record and release.

Niall McDowell

Niall McDowell is a queer folk and alt-country singer/songwriter from Belfast, Country Antrim. Their music has been described as "somewhere between a choirboy and a cowboy" by BBC Radio 1, with songs such as 'Brokeback' and 'It Was An Honour To Be Nominated' lauded for smart writing and vulnerable production. He has sold out The Black Box in Belfast, and performed at Dig With It Magazine's Issue Launch and Belfast's Lord Mayor's Day. He has also been selected for the Oh Yeah Centre's 'Scratch My Progress' talent development programme.

MRWIZE

MRWIZE, aka Harold Kuenyefu, is a South London-born electronic music artist and producer. All his work is self-recorded and produced, and all his visual work is self-directed. He also composes music for video projects and short films, and has modelled for brands such as Exemplar. To date, he has worked with the likes of Namasenda and Isamaya Ffrench, and played at well-known venues in London, including Corsica Studios.

Matty Lusher

Matty Lusher is a music video director from Aberdeen. Since starting out, he has made a significant impact on helping the Aberdeen rap scene grow. With his NextGen Fund, he was able to shoot and edit three free music videos for three emerging local artists, to help support their careers.

Martha Pryer

Martha Pryer is a singer-songwriter based in Manchester. Her music has received plaudits from BBC West, OStereo and NTS Radio, and she has performed at venues and festivals in the UK (First Street Festival, Off The Square, Contact) and Denmark (Spot Festival).

Maria Winter

Maria Winter is the co-founder of Marisam Events - a female-led live events company which aims to redefine the creative industries in the North East of England, and showcase local talent. Marisam Events hosts a successful event series called 'Late 'n' Live', a live music quiz featuring a live band of local musicians who play the songs for every question. Marisam's other event series include Late 'n' Live Karaoke, and Platform 22.

Lydia Lutudi

Lydia Lutudi is an alternative rock and soul singer originally from the USA, previously living in Leicester and now based in London. She has headlined Riverside Festival and a FEMMESTIVAL Showcase at the Forge, performed backing vocals at Glastonbury Festival, and been a repeat winner of talent competitions in Leicester.

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Next Gen

NextGen Community Events

Our NextGen Community events give attendees aged 18-30 the chance to connect with other creatives in their local city, listen to panel discussions from industry experts and watch performances from emerging artists.

funding

NextGen Fund

Grants of up to £3,000 for 18 to 25 year olds creatives (aged up to 30 for those who identify as d/Deaf, Disabled or neurodivergent) in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Funding round opens 10/01/2025