To promote the future of UK’s burgeoning R&B talent, DJ Ace is to launch a new project titled ‘Everything R&B Live’, a program that will take in five unsigned R&B artists, give them knowledge of and connections in the industry, improving their musicianship, and raising their profile around the nation.
Masterclasses will also be offered as part of the program, offered by industry professionals that cover diverse roles including tour manager, sound engineer, and stage technician. The artists selected will also be given the opportunity to perform a hometown show.
Submissions@everythingrnb.com
let’s goooooo!! pic.twitter.com/bXPWKmmput
— Ace ♣️ (@DJAce) November 8, 2021
DJ Ace is a presenter for BBC Radio 1Xtra, as well as being their R&B specialist. A graduate from the Brit Performing Arts School, Ace and his old colleague Vis were one of the earliest presenters on BBC Radio 1Xtra, winning a gold Sony Radio Academy Award for their lunchtime show in 2004. In fact, since leaving the BBC, Vis went to start his own talent seeking company, Renowned Group, with British star Wretch 32 in 2013. The two industry heavyweights, once dubbed the Troublemakers of Radio, clearly know what talent looks like.
On the project, Ace says “I’m really excited about unearthing, developing and showcasing some of the next-gen from around the UK in live music, setting through this project and tour. I am hoping to find some real vocal gems in some of the underrepresented parts of the country,” according to Musicweek.
Alongside DJ Ace as its figurehead, the program has been designed and developed by Yaw Owusu and Ray Paul of The Playmaker Group. On the project, Owusu says “R&B music creators and audiences in the UK have both been under-represented and under-served within mainstream offers of Black Music so we are really excited to kick off Everything R&B Live with Ace. This project will give both the artists and the audience an authentic experience that is not just going to be top quality but an eye-opening education whilst contributing to the growth of the new R&B scene in the UK.”
Prospective artists can apply for the project right now, with applications open until the 23rd of November.
To apply, send an email to submissions@everythingrnb.com with the title R&B TOUR. The email must include a link of two of your songs, alongisde the Word document containing a written biography. Good luck to everyone who enters!
