NextGen Fund Round Four recipients

Alien Izz's project involves a 5 track EP 'Alien Spectrum Disorder', which marks her debut release as Alien Izz. She will develop her advanced production and mixdown skills and liaise with local independents to bring her unique, creative vision to life. The EP will be promoted via social media, art and a launch party.

ALT BLK ERA have big things lined up this year. The sister duo create music across Nu Metal, Rap, Punk and Electronic. With the NextGen grant, they plan to create a four-track EP and showcase their music live at a venue in London.

'Burden' is a multimedia project that explores the emotional journey disabled people go through when they've been recently diagnosed. Composing a single with an accompanying zine and music video, 'Burden' will look at how often we are forced to break off years-long relationships due to the lack of understanding and care.

Baby Panna plans to use his NextGen grant to release the second mixtape in a series. His release plan involves the production and sale of a magazine (a deep dive into the mixtapes themes through photography and poetry), a special event selling art, magazines, and his own headline set featuring a line-up of local opening acts.

becca kate plans to use the NextGen grant to release a four-track EP that focuses on the social issues facing young women today that have a profound effect on them.

BOWLZY plans to make a solo album and collaborate with four different creatives. He will make a music video for the main song on the album and go on a trip to research and learn from others.

BOWLZY was nominated for the Original Track Award, sponsored by TikTok, at the Youth Music Awards 2022.

In light of his two upcoming singles, 4 The Brotherhood plans to use the NextGen Fund to shoot a series of creative music videos that reflect the theme of coming of age and the struggles faced transitioning into adulthood. As a Black Indie-pop artist, his goal for this project is to push the possibilities of Black music and encourage more diversity within the indie music scene. 

Claudia Fenoglio will use the NextGen grant to complete her EP, including the recording, mixing and mastering of the final track, as well as a music video and promotional imagery for a single, PR campaign and a guitar pedal for performing.

Darshae's project consists of several new songs and an EP which will be reflective of her musical style and artistry. Darshae would like to perform at a few festivals in 2023 and thus needs a new catalogue of music to present to the festival promoters.

David will use the NextGen grant to run a weekly open mic session in his local area.

G NOTES K will release a five-track EP about his journey to the UK, adapting to a new lifestyle and finding a place to call home. Along with this, project merchandise will be put out to support the release.

'Making of Sayiings EP' will be a Youtube/Tikok Series focusing on hillarynx's journey to become a music professional as a Black Neurodivergent woman. Her NextGen grant will partially fund the recording of the project, as well as her artistic development.

Ije currently makes weekly videos for artist discovery. Her NextGen grant project will be to create a live jam version with local artists and a band at a venue. The series of videos will be posted on her MdoubleOD platforms as part of Mood Monday and connect the artists to new audiences.

Issy Winstanley's goal for her project is to create a unique, impactful and successful release campaign. High-quality assets will be her priority - ensuring her current audiences are successfully engaged and new ones are reached throughout the process.

For this project J Vessell is looking to release five singles. This will involve studio sessions, developing his craft as a songwriter, producer and artist and collaborating with different artists and producers. The NextGen grant will also go towards an increased consistency in his output online, in terms of social media content.

Following a period of independent creation and exploration of material, Jet Sweeney will bring this work to their collaborators in their band S3LF and create four new original songs. Jet will then use the NextGen grant for business mentoring and to create marketing materials to promote and distribute the work.

Lazy the Producer plans to create his first professional beats with industry software, as well as as mixtape with musical partners such as rappers and singers. He also plans to have his work featured in a film and undergo musical tuition.

Lucy Crisp will use the NextGen fund to release '65 Roses', a 6-track EP project that fuses 80s soft-synth pop with heart-breaking lyricism to reflect on the day to day challenges of an individual with a disability.

Luqy will produce, record and release a two-track single that will explore and express being a South Asian Muslim from a small town trying to follow their musical dreams. Luqy aims to use the NextGen grant to increase the quality of their music and improve their singing skills.

Maius Mollis will record and release two original singles. The NextGen grant funding will go towards paying for studio time, hiring a producer and function musicians, as well as photography, videography and lighting for a music video and single art.

Malan will use the NextGen grant to support the recording and release process for her first EP. The five-track project will includes a fusion of Jazz, Pop and Neo-Soul elements. Malan is also planning a social media campaign, gigs and music videos to coincide with the release of the EP.

Meduulla's project will be her first musical body of work in the form of a six-track EP. The EP will be a window into her life and what kind of artist she will become. It will discuss subjects such as love, identity and failure.

Milan plans to work with a producer to record three tracks and with a local film maker to create a high quality music video. This will help them to build their online presence and craft new pathways and professional opportunities.

'Love Of My Life' will be Noah Bouchard's debut full length project, an album revolving around his journey of self-discovery, finding happiness and appreciation for life. It will tell the story of a downward spiral and the healing process, aiming to provide hope to those in a dark place.

'Renaissance' is the next EP that Ogun is currently working on and marks the start of a planned musical trilogy. Alongside the music, Ogun intends to release a zine with illustrations and the song lyrics of the EP, as well as a short film.

Peri Rae wants to record their next EP as demos and has a promotion and release schedule to build up interest from fans and to network with gig bookers and management. They will use the grant to build the foundations of a long-lasting career.

Richard Carter went through an intense breakup that he felt was pretty much destined from the start. He will craft four songs out of pure emotion, themed around a colour similar to blue TV static. Think Steve Lacy/Kanye/The Weeknd/Bon Iver. The songs will feature big orchestral outros with distorted vocals and all songs will have visuals.

Skits are notorious in Hip-Hop albums, they are short interludes that break up a project. Riski has taken this concept and extended it to full length tracks with semi-improvised comedy sketches featuring Hip-Hop instrumental backing. The NextGen grant will fund this project.

Risky plans to make an album describing the experience of being lost in the journey to finding himself. It speaks on his experiences, goals, and things he has seen that have impacted him.

Supermann on da beat plans to create a 4-track, self-produced EP about issues facing disabled people in Scotland. The project will challenge society's perception of disabled people by fusing both trap and rock influences with spoken word to bring a powerful message.

'Youth & Observation' by The Pink Nostalgia is a hyper-personal third EP discussing his coming of age as a queer man, reflecting on youth in his mid-twenties and where his head is at now. The EP promotion will be supported through live gigs with The Pink Nostalgia's live band.

Tsatsamis wants to level up and amplify their artist project by creating a music video and holding an EP launch party and live show. Their EP will explore how their sexuality impacts their relationship with others: "This project aims to foster and invoke conversation about queerness through queer collaboration and social initiatives".

Wavey Nights is a series of live music showcases where a house band will accompany emerging artists. The band will also play live renditions of R&B, Dancehall, Drill, Hip Hop and Afrobeats hits. Two nights at White City House will take place over the space of four months.

WOLFPEACHES will put their NextGen Fund towards releasing the debut EP of work they have been recording over the last year. They will release three songs from each EP with a music video ahead of the EP release. Live shows are also in the future, as WOLFPEACHES will also begin rehearsals.