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28 Sep 2020 9:12 PM
  • Press Release

In the fourth year of the MOBO Help Musicians Fund, a collaboration between Help Musicians and the MOBO Trust, the two organisations are delighted to announce the next 25 artists to be supported to develop their creative output and careers.

The 25 artists to be supported with the expanded 2020 package were able to demonstrate strong adaptability in their projects in terms of dealing with the impact of Covid-19, such as planning to use the funding to create a virtual concert series, a live performance to a virtual audience using streaming technology and to implement an immersive VR experience.

As well as using innovative technology in the face of social distancing, many of those supported will also explore important cultural topics, such as: being Black in Britain, social justice inequalities, mental health and vulnerability, fight for change, the evolution of feminism, freedom of speech and much more.

 

Awardee Sicaria Sound commented:

“We are really happy to have the support to create our first EP, especially considering we have started to find our groove in terms of recording after finishing two singles. Being able to finish a body of work in times of Covid-19, when gigs are still scarce, will also help us find gigs once more of them are able to take place. We are very grateful and excited!”

This year’s cohort includes a diverse range of musical talent, songwriters and saxophonists, drummers and guitarists, singers and turntable artists working across world, hip-hop, R&B, electronic and reggae to name but a few among a huge selection of musical styles.

MOBO founder Kanya King CBE commented:

“It was great to be working with Help Musicians once again to provide talented musicians with crucial development at a time when they need it the most, as we wholeheartedly believe that lack of financial resources should not be an obstacle for achieving your dreams. We are proud to champion and provide funding and business support to these aspiring creatives and we look forward to seeing their progression in the years to come.”

 

The 2020 MOBO Help Musicians Fund package offers each awardee £3,000 towards creative output, 1:1 business advice sessions from experienced music industry professionals and 1:1 health & wellbeing consultations with British Association for Performing Arts Medicine professionals, covering all aspects of a musician’s health, including physical and mental health needs and specialist referrals where required.

Awardees in this round and their projects are as follows:

 

ENDS

About MOBO Trust:

MOBO Trust, the charity branch of the MOBO organisation, was established in 2016 to provide life-changing opportunities and support to exceptional talent in music and beyond often from disadvantaged backgrounds.

MOBO Trust initiatives include the MOBO Help Musicians Fund, which was created to support the career ambitions of exceptionally talented artists and groups with grants of up to £3k alongside 1:1 business advice and mentoring.

Other opportunities provided include the annual MOBO UnSung competition, which sees countless entrants and provides an artist development programme for the Top 10 finalists.

 

About Help Musicians:

Help Musicians is an independent charity with an extraordinary history. For nearly 100 years, it has provided a broad spectrum of help, support and opportunities to empower musicians aged 18+, at any stage of their career or retirement, from times of great need to times of opportunity, providing a lifetime of support when it is needed most.

The charity is uniquely placed to take a personalised approach with each individual supported through its integrated programme that offers emerging and established professional musician’s assistance across health and wellbeing, business skills and creative development.

Help Musicians aims to make a meaningful difference to the lives of professional musicians and is passionate about creating a world where musicians thrive.

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