Urban Music Seminar has attracted the cream of the industry over its seven successive years within the music calendar. Names like Grammy and Brit Award winner Seal, Mercury Prize, Brit and MOBO award winner Ms Dynamite, through to Lemar, Jamelia, Ajax Scott (Editor Music Week), Wilber Wilberforce (Head of Programming Radio 1 Urban), Alex Jones Donnelly (Head of Programming Radio 1), Tim Westwood, Heartless Crew, Adam F, Shy FX, DJ Hype and Jameison are just a taster of speakers whom have shared their opinions, knowledge and provided first hand-advice.
For a charitable event, the Urban Music Seminar has received unprecedented press support from print, radio, website & TV .
TV coverage has included, MTV, BBC Newsround & Liquid News, T4’s
Popworld through to C4’s RISE and Trouble.
Print coverage has included, Financial Times, Observer, Daily Star, Music
Week through to Sneak and OK.
Websites that have featured UMS are NME, Radio 1, MTV,
Virgin Student xxx, Ananova and Worldpop News.
Radio has included, Radio 1 Breakfast and drive time shows,
Radio 1 Specialist, 1 Xtra, Capital radio, Kiss Fm, Choice FM and GLR.
” At the Urban Music Seminar, 12,000 people, most of them teenagers debated the fortunes of black British music with the industries leading lights at the event “
Observer
” Urban Music Seminar is the event for young people interested in a career in music. Top stars of the UK urban music scene will be on hand to give you tips on how to break into the music biz “
Time Out
” Hey what can I say well done again, looked like it went amazingly well from what I could see. Seems like a big turn out gets bigger and better… Nats… Yes 100% up for the Birmingham Gig in November.”
Simon Schoolboy Phillips
Capital FM
” You really don’t realise just how important this forum is to the attendees until you become one. You leave feeling that the music industry should be in better shape. People stay glued to their seats and their enthusiasm and inquisitive is attributed to the UMS organisation “.
Willber Willberfoce
Programmes editor BBC Radio 1Xtra
” I thought, once again, that it was a truly inspirational couple of days.
Count us in for the next t hree! “
Ajax Scott
Editor, Music Week.
” This two day event aims to advise young people on how to get into the music business “
Metro
” I just wanted to compliment you all on what was truly an amazing event. I was especially impressed with the tight organisation of both days. For a bit-part player/gob-on-a-stick like me, it was so easy gliding on and off stage knowing all the people behind you were soon it. And the organised madness in the lobby was brilliant. You have built a truly great and unique event. You’ll never get the thanks that you deserve from the people who most benefit – the attendees. But on their behalf… THANK YOU! “
P.S. I’m thinking on approaching Sade for next year – fancy it?
Russell Crewe
Assistant Editor, 1Xtra and BBC Radio 1
” Experience is the best teacher and with a wide panel of varying expertise, youcan’t go wrong “
Daren Dixon
BMG A&R, New Nation
” Wannabe pop stars will earn what it takes to crack the big time. “
Daily Star
” The Urban Music Seminar is an opportunity to talk face to face with people that actually live it. “
Shola Ama, Hot Tickets,
Evening Standard
” The Urban Music Seminar has grown considerably since it was launched.”
Music & Media
” Everybody it seems, wanted to know how to get ahead in the business, even those currently in it. We can only look forward to next years session with bated breath. “
Touch Magazine
” Expect passion, enthusiasm, expect anger, but most of all expect the real deal on the inner workings of the music industry.”
Blues & Soul
” UMS is a refreshing change from the numerous jaded seminars on the music industry schedule, its particularly rewarding that it gives those starting or trying to start in the Music Business invaluable direct access to people in the Industry who can hopefully give them an insight into the best way forward.”
Ian Titchner
Boom Management
” The Urban Music Seminar is an innovator in its field, a cutting edge event that lived up to its promise of helping New Deal reach a key target audience Urban Young People.
Involvement with the Urban Music Seminar helps New Deal relate to the needs of Young people. An event with strong following and support from the industry as well as being great fun! “
New Deal For Musicians
” feels that the real importance of UMS is to give aspiring musicians or record execs a reality check on how the industry works particularly at entry level. I particularly enjoyed my session sharing some light hearted moments from my career but also reminding people of the work ethic necessary to succeed .”
Trevor Nelson
” The Urban Music Seminar is all about nurturing talent, encouraging perseverance and supporting the music business of tomorrow.
PRS is proud to sponsor such an event and looks forward to its continued success¡¦Roll on next year.”
PRS
” A well organised and very entertaining day. We know that British urban music is finding its own direction and I think the conference reflected that. I will certainly attend next year “
John Read, MD, WEA UK
” The Urban Music Seminar is all about nurturing talent, encouraging perseverance and supporting the music business of tomorrow.
PRS is proud to sponsor such an event and looks forward to its continued success¡¦ Roll on next year.”
“In an industry, which offers relatively little training opportunity in relation to the amount of people looking to get involved, UMS provides an invaluable experience. Where else is a school-leaver looking to get into urban (or any other kind of music for that matter) supposed to go”
Ferdy Unger-Hamilton, Go Beat
“I planned to launch the Union’s new marketing material (specifically targeting the urban scene) at the Urban Music Seminar because I’d been promised a well-attended event oozing with enthusiasm and hunger for information about the music industry. I wasn’t disappointed! We met hundreds of brilliant young people gravitating towards the urban scene that was extremely motivated and proactive – a rewarding event to be a part of. And from an organisation point of view, I thought the event was run professionally and reliably. I’ve already told the organisers to count the Musicians’ Union in for next year.”
Tori Hywel-Davies, Communications and Campaigns Official, Musicians’ Union
Very informative and essential for the Urban Music scene in all areas whether you want to be an artist, music executive, management.
Jennifer Mills, head of Marketing, BMG
“The BPI is proud to support the work of the Siemens Urban Music Seminar. As the trade association that represents the interests of UK record labels – large or small – we endeavour to offer quality information for young people wishing to enter the music industry. By having the exhibition stand at UMS we are able to speak face to face and answer the many questions that people need to have answered. People perceive the industry to be showbiz and sexy when in fact it is a finely tuned business that reacts quickly to the ever-changing trends that music provides. Whether its line-dancing music to hip hop – there is a record label that will be interested in hearing from you.
The main criteria is quality – and the quality of your product – be it you or your music – needs to be top class. UMS demystifies the perceptions that surround the industry and gives the delegate sound advice so that they know exactly what they are facing.”.
Maggie Crowe, BPI
“The Music Unit at London Arts are pleased to be one of the major supporters to the Urban Music Seminar 2002. We believe it to be one of the most important events in the UK urban music industry. Their contacts with current influential industry professionals are utilised to educate, inform and develop the incredible young talent that exist in London and the UK . This goes a long way towards developing a home grown urban music industry that is capable of competing with the rest of the world. We are looking forward to continuing our support to the 2003 Urban Music Seminar and are thankful to the industry professionals who freely give their time and pass on their knowledge to our future UK music industry” .
Graham Carr, Music Officer London Arts
“You really don’t realise just how important this forum is to the attendees until you become one. You leave feeling that the music industry should be in better shape. People stay glued to their seats and their enthusiasm and inquisitive is attributed to the UMS organisation. Willber”
Willberfoce, programmes editor BBC Radio 1Xtra
“I just wanted to compliment you all on what was truly an amazing event. I was especially impressed with the tight organisation of both days. For a bit-part player/gob-on-a-stick like me, it was so easy gliding on and off stage knowing all the people behind you were so on it. And the organised madness in the lobby was brilliant. You have built a truly great and unique event. You’ll never get the thanks that you deserve from the people who most benefit – the attendees. But on their behalf.. “
THANK YOU!
P.S. I’m thinking on approaching Sade for next year – fancy it
Russell Crewe, Assistant Editor, 1Xtra and BBC Radio 1
“Idid want to say a particular thank you and congratulations to you for making it all happen It was absolutely wonderful and we look forward to welcoming your unique event in years to come!”
Jodi Myers Director of Performing Arts
“Guys just wanted to say thanks for a great? Urban? Weekend and for letting me loose on
one of your panel’s hope I did ok, it was much appreciated. Once again thanks a lot it was great and I hope to see you next year if not sooner much. Thanks a lot “
Stephen Proctor, BMG Promos/Product Services Co-Ordinator
“I thought, once again, that it was a truly inspirational couple of days. Count us in for the next three!”
Ajax Scott, editor, Music Week.
“Hey what can I say well done again, looked like it went amazingly well from what I could see. Seems like a big turn out gets bigger and better”.
Simon Schoolboy Phillips, Capital FM
“Another great year for UMS, and New Deal. UMS continues to prove that it has it finger on the pulse of urban youth culture, helping us reach an audience that is vital for the continuing success of New Deal.”
New Deal, Dept. Work and Pensions.
“POP MUSIC:On the record, by Caroline Sullivan Dash and his cash this week, Damon Dash gets behind the UK’s urban music scene, indie kids reveal their hidden shallows, and the darkness take cock rock one stage further. Last time: away with words”
GUARDIAN.CO.UK – 4TH JUNE 2004
Hip Hop producer Damon Dash best known as the man who failed to transform Posh Spice into a gangstress – and his Roc group of companies will be sponsoring the Urban Music Seminar, to be held at London ‘s South Bank Centre on September 18 th and 19 th . Everyone at last week’s press conference went home with a token of dash’s esteem: an XXL T shirt imprinted with the logos of the many enterprises, including Roc-A-Fella Records, Dash Film, Armadale Vodka, Rocawear clothing and America Magazine. How Does He fin the time to count £400 million he claims to be worth?
Also with Dash was Roc-A- Fella’s first ever rock artist Samantha Ronson. Her debut single, Pull My Hair Out, reveals her to be Courtney Love-style pottymouthed with a corresponding fair for screeching the house down. You go, girl.
THE GUARDAN – 2 ND JUNE 2004
The Urban Music Seminar announced today (23 rd May) that this year’s event will be sponsored by Roc-A-Fella.
At a press conference earlier in London ‘s Royal Festival Hall, Hip Hop entrepreneur Damon Dash and Roc-A-Fella CEO, spoke of his involvement with the Seminar.
Dash said, “ the way I look at hip hop – we’re all a family. No matter where we are, no matter where we go. When I travel, no matter where in the world, when I see a hip hop individual who has an appreciation for the culture, automatically you embrace that person like a family should.”
He added “everything that I have and every opportunity that is presented to me I will definitely share with anyone in the UK with an appreciation for hip hop. I think it’s very important for people to understand how serious and how influential the hip hop culture is to the world.”
The Roc Urban Music Seminar will take place on September 18-19 at London’s Royal Festival Hall and will feature a serious of work shops, seminars, masterclasses and exhibitions given by some of the business top pluggers, PRs, A&R, mangers, accountants as well as artist.
Roc-A-Fella will be hosting their own specific panels over two days about their various ventures, including clothing (Rocawear) and films (Dash films). Special mini events to be held by the company over the weekend will be announced at a layer date.
UNS founder Kwame Kwaten said “it’s great to have such a company as major as ROC recognise that by investing in the future of urban music they too can benefit in a much more long term way than is normally associated with a very short term music business.