
Nayana.AB – Artist, UD Progamme Associate & writer
Following a whirlwind 2024 – supporting RAYE with her Flames Collective crew at BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, Reading & Leeds Festival, the BRIT Awards, a trip to Morocco for a private gig and more, NAYANA.AB has also seen her star rise as a soloist.
Winning Dr Martens ‘Made Strong’ competition landed NAYANA her first headline show, joining the London billing with Ezra Collective, P-rallel and Chi Virgo. Selected by nu jazz legend Yazmin Lacey for the top prize on Cross The Track’s emerging artist competition, NAYANA bagged herself a coveted performance slot at the festival. Fast forward to August 2024 and NAYANA wins the Tileyard x Soundcloud International Songwriting competition, the prize being an all-expenses paid writing trip to Morocco. Celebrating her demure mindful summer, NAYANA.AB has just released her second single of 2024, ‘Don’t Feel Right’, produced by Osquello.
Music output aside, Nayana is currently finishing her Masters in Global Black Studies, Decolonisation and Social Justice. She’s also turned her hand to journalism, creative direction and continues to work at UD Music on events, hosting and community engagement.
Speaking: Saturday Afternoon
MIDDAY-4PM
MEET THE EXPERT SURGERIES
Looking for specialist one-to-one advice? Sign up to our Meet The Expert Surgeries and we’ll aim to supply the fix! Whether you’re looking for artist management tips, legal know-how, online strategy pointers, help in maximising performance royalties or general music advice, our experts are here to tackle those burning questions.
MIDDAY-4PM
A&R ESSENTIALS
Want to get feedback on your demo? Got an idea that you’re looking for direction on? Think you’ve written a hit? Got a question? Sign up for this incredible opportunity to meet with some of the most powerful A&Rs in the UK music industry.
1pm-3pm
production masterclass with jb made it – powered by finesse foreva
Join JB Made It – whose cuts include Drake & Fivio Foreign, French Montana, Chief Keef
& Skengdo AM, Melladaze, Darkoo, IQ & Amaria BB, Ivorian Doll, Russ Millions, Headie One, Unknown T, Potter Payper & more – in UD’s state of the art studio, as we explore JB’s creative process, tricks, tips and more in this exclusive practical workshop, powered by Finesse Foreva. Spaces are limited!
1PM-2PM
live music masterclass – powered by high roller
High Roller will present a live music panel featuring Jojo (co-founder), Lodina (project manager) and RBC (programming manager) who will lead you through their respective departments and what it takes to work in the live music and event space.
2pm-3pm
creating a visual identity
UD invites you to this panel discussion where creative professionals Hyperfrank, Samuel Adjaye and Tolu Elusadé, boasting multifaceted experience in the music and entertainment industries, will delve into the art of creating a visual identity with host, Nayana.AB. From building up a portfolio and initial branding steps to pitching and delivering jobs to brief, we’ll look at how freelance creative jobs connect to music, videos, social media identity, content creation and more.
2PM-6PM
LIVE DJ SETS FROM NO SIGNAL
Following the High Roller panel, SAVSSOUNDS and RBC will spin some of their favourite tracks across a wealth of genres including Afrobeats, Amapiano and more in the Talent House atrium to keep the good vibes going.
4PM-6PM
OPEN MIC – POWERED BY TRENCH
Calling all Black music artists! Join us on Saturday 28th September for Open Mic – powered by TRENCH. Want to perform?
Drop an email with links to your music to openmic@udmusic.org.
Speakers
JB Made It – Producer/ Finesse Foreva
Abi Lufadeju – Music Lawyer and Legal & Business Affairs Manager at AJL LegalAbi Lufadeju
Shanice McConnachie – Artist manager
Adele White – Senior A&R Manager, Atlantic Records UK
Mel Ijeh – Artist Manager (formerly A&R Manager, 5k Records)
Lodina Agyeman – Project manager
Humphrey Ogiesewu – Touring Accountant, CC Young & Co
Dom Scialo – Head of Rights Management, Y Royalties
Roxanne Oak – Relationship Manager for Dance Music Genres at PPL
TK – Manager & Co-Founder, Finesse Foreva
Hyperfrank – Photographer, archivist, producer (TRENCH)
Jay Radia – A&R at Relentless Records, Sony Music UK
SK – Co-founder/ A&R, Finesse Foreva
Jojo Sonubi – Co-Founder, High Roller
Nayana.AB – Artist, UD Progamme Associate & writer
Samuel Adjaye – Multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker & creative director, swrv.studios
Speaking: Friday Evening
7.30PM-10.30PM / DOORS 7PM
ud live showcase – powered by trench
UD’s Incubator Programme is a talent and career development opportunity for exceptional independent artists, making music of Black origin. Join us at this exclusive Incubator 2024 Showcase, where you’re invited to witness the stars of tomorrow, today. Expect R&B, soul, rap and more in-between.