UD Music is aimed at creating professional opportunities for the most talented individuals in Black music.
We’ve been uncompromising about Black music culture and creating opportunities in the industry for over 20 years and UD continues to innovate in the digital era, curating a range of bespoke offerings for emerging artists.
Whether it’s additional funding required for studio time, support in releasing your music or your dream to secure a recording deal, UD are committed to supporting the talent of tomorrow.
“You have my support. Thinking about Amy Winehouse, she wrote some of the songs on her first album when she was 15 years old. Young people need support and access to resources like this, until people like me find them later when their songs are more developed.”
Darcus Beese OBE, President Island Records (2008 – 2018)
At UD we work with a wide variety of artists, inspired by the sounds, words and rhythms of Black Music culture. From the underground up, we have solutions to take artist careers to the next level.
Case studies:
Devlin
Back in 2015, UD hooked up with Devlin, a grime MC from east London who had already enjoyed commercial success. Boasting collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Emeli Sande and Wretch32, it was while working on his third studio album, The Devil In (featuring cuts with Maverick Sabre and Skepta), that UD negotiated Devlin a worldwide publishing deal, through their partnership with Bucks, and secured his album release in 2017, in a joint venture with Believe distribution.
Paigey Cakey
A rapper, singer and actress from Hackney, UD began to manage Paigey Cakey in 2016 via a bespoke Accelerator Development deal. Previously a DIY artist, Paigey’s music enjoyed growth across digital platforms with her music being used in campaigns by Superdry and Dr. Marten. Her eight-track release, Red Velvet, benefitted from additional funding, secured via PRSF’s Women In Music.
INCUBATOR Artists
Flames Collective
Initially comprising six young singer-songwriters who’d shown great potential in UD’s 2016 songwriting camps, fast forward to now and the Flames Collective boasts over 20 members, aged from 14-20 years old. Together they write, arrange and compose original music and have already performed at The Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, EFG London Jazz Festival, The Great Escape, Byline Festival and Kings Place (alongside Black Butter signee Amaria).
Adrian Okezie aka Digital Mozart
Digital Mozart, a producer and DJ from east London, has dubbed his sound ‘Neo Garage’. Into blending R&B, hip-hop, UK garage and other forms of UK bass music with intricate vocal chops and sample delights (as heard on Beats 1’s and Rinse FM), Mozart also uses his skills as a graphic designer to complement his avant-garde approach.
Akin Soul
Akin Soul is a 19-year-old jazz and soul singer, multi-instrumentalist & songwriter from south east London who plays trombone, keys and guitar. Raised on a diet of Marvin Gaye, Stevie, Quincy Jones, Lalah & Donny Hathaway, Kim Burrell, Sarah Vaughn, Ella, Amy & Corinne Bailey Rae… In 2018 Akin founded the 12 piece band Akin Soul & The Soul Tribe who have gone on to perform across London at All Point’s East Festival, Off The Cuff, The Garage & Pop Brixton. Akin is currently studying Jazz at Trinity Laban Conservatoire in London and has blessed the mic at Steam Down, McNasty’s Fireball Sessions & Belmont Villa. Akin has also co-released a track with older brother, jazz-drill pioneer, Xvngo.
Nayana
North London based, Nayana, 18, comes from a Trinidadian family, who have a great respect for music,
from soca all the way to classical music. Currently studying music performance and the intricacies of creating new and exciting sounds as a student at BIMM, Nayana is also championing her own soulful strain of R&B. Embarking on her career with a cut called ‘The Flight’, which she describes as “deliciously forward-thinking R&B…”, expect powerful vocals
Molly elizabeth
Molly became part of Flames Collective in Jan 2020, our flagship programme working with young people from inner-city secondary schools who demonstrate high potential when it comes to music. Now 19-years-old, Molly is releasing her debut single through our Incubator and Talent Development Accelerator programme in collaboration with Island Records, and is the first solo artist to come through UD’s new imprint.
