Two new support programs for emerging musicians have been announced in Kenya and the United Kingdom, offering grants, mentorship and industry access.
United Kingdom: FAC Step Up Fund opens with Amazon Music#
Applications are open for the fifth year of the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) Step Up Fund, a program run with Amazon Music. It will award grants of up to £8,000 each to 10 independent artists based in the United Kingdom, along with mentoring and promotional support from Amazon Music.
The artists selected for this year’s cohort are:
- Alt Blk Era
- anaiis
- Ashaine White
- Cowboy Hunters
- Deela
- happydaze
- Jords
- Leonie Biney
- Olympia Vitalis
- Y U QT
Kenya: Martell Swift Academy for African talent#
Cognac house Martell has launched the Swift Academy in Kenya, a program aimed at emerging musicians across Africa. Developed with Africa House, the initiative will provide masterclasses, mentorship and a community network for artists building music careers.
It extends a four-year series of African music and culture activities run by Martell.
