Learn more about the Levi’s Music Project.
The Levi’s Music Project corrals together some of the world’s most exciting artists to provide access to music and education in communities.
At last year’s launch, grime titan Skepta opened a youth music studio in his hometown of Tottenham, London, and mentored 12 aspiring musicians, culminating in a live performance at the V&A. Benefiting hugely from the experience, these participants have now gone on to attain success in their own right, with Keedz even supporting Skepta’s crew Boy Better Know on tour.
While the Tottenham studio remains firmly in place, the innovative scheme widened its reach, moving to the second cities of Manchester and Birmingham.
In Manchester, the mentors were locally based Mercury-nominated band Everything Everything, who played a surprise Glastonbury set in June and released their fourth album ‘A Fever Dream’ in August.
Alongside a host of industry professionals, Everything Everything helped the aspiring artists to learn about all aspects of the music industry and create exclusive new material from 29 August to 9 September.
The participants attended workshops on topics such as the song writing process, the art of creating demos and how to break into the music industry. The project culminated in a performance for all those who supported the artists on their unique journeys.
An existing community centre (Z-arts in Hulme) was equipped with a studio. The studio will remain in place in order to benefit those in the neighbourhood who may never have had access to facilities like that, meaning generations of talent to come will have the opportunity to create and share their music. Z Art’s Liz O’Neill described the Levi’s Music Project as an “amazing opportunity for the young people who come here, not only for the project, but for the legacy it will leave behind.”
Participating acts in Manchester included singer-songwriter Harry, rappers MDP and singers Rae and Neda.
In Birmingham, MOBO-nominated rapper Mist was enlisted to help propel another group of budding artists onto the next step of their career with the help of youth music studio The Pump.
Mist said of the project, “Being involved in the Levi’s Music Project is something I’m really excited about. Growing up in Birmingham has really been part of my journey and so contributing to a long term music facility here is my chance to put something back into this community. We’re going to show how music can really unite people regardless of who they are and what their background is. In this space everyone will be an equal. Within the project, I hope to give people a better understanding of my process, and guide the young musicians based on how I work in the studio. I can’t wait to see where the project takes us and what comes out of it, who knows… the next Mist could be about to blow!”
Mist also said: “I can’t wait to see where the project takes us and what comes out of it, who knows… the next Mist could be about to blow!”
Acts in Birmingham included rappers T.Roadz, Starrzy and Chyoma, and singer Chrysie.
Here’s Raza, one of the 12 participants in Birmingham, on stage.
