Rip It Up, a bursary programme supporting young Black, Asian and diverse talent into the music industry, returns for 2022

Rip It Up - a bursary programme that provides a platform and direction for the next generation of Black, Asian and diverse talent in the music industry - has announced details of a second iteration: Rip It Up (Remixed).

Launched in 2021, Rip It Up helped successful applicants into placements within music journalism, artist management and industry bodies, alongside artists securing record deals with independent labels.

2022's edition has now announced a group of names who will be helping mentor the next batch of creatives, including Lily Fontaine of English Teacher and Kadeem France of Loathe.

"In all industries, representation can mean the difference between someone pursuing their talent into a career, or keeping it to themselves," Lily explains. "To me, Rip It Up proves to young, non-white creatives that the music industry is an accessible space for them. This, alongside the opportunities it provides for knowledge development and building connections, is why I’m so excited to be involved."

Other experts include course leader Yaw Owusu, Ellie Best (RCA Records), Liam James Ward (General Manager of Something Something Social), Elli Brazzill (Music Editor at Napster) and Mike Cave (Mixing & Mastering Engineer who’s previously worked with the likes of Lewis Capaldi, The Lathums and Camelphat).

With Rip It Up (Remixed), the teams at Sound City, sm-mgmt, Youth Music, CAPLL LTD and more have come together for a direct programme encouraging and pushing change - offering 10 important bursaries that provide the perfect nurturing framework for young talent to emerge and enter the music industry.

Combining an eight session education programme covering a string of vital areas within the current music industry (from campaign strategies, publicity, recording/production, music distribution, management and more) with an extended practical product - Rip It Up (Remixed) will provide the framework and opportunity for young creatives to immerse themselves with a rich knowledge of the industry they wish to enter. 10 selected applicants will receive extensive support from the very beginning of the programme, with a financial grant assisting in their studies - with the sole aim of discovering and providing opportunities for talent from across different communities and backgrounds the equal chance to engage and thrive within the eclectic music world.

Applications for Rip It Up (Remixed) are now open to young people aged 18-25 across the North West, and new for 2022 - expanding to include applicants from Yorkshire, The Midlands and the East Of England.

These applications are separated into two strands:

5 of the 10 bursaries will be focused on Artists themselves - with the practical element incorporating professional experience within a recording studio alongside an engineer being covered as a part of the Rip It Up programme.

The other 5 places will be focused on Industry applicants, with the practical element incorporating a paid placement within a professional workplace in the industry sector they wish to enter.

All 10 successful Rip It Up (remixed) participants will receive a dedicated mentor to assist them with regular meetings and discussions, with monthly updates continuing after the programme to assist in further job placements and industry catchups.