Outcomes

Click here to download Testimonials from Urban Collective guest artists and producers.

London Urban Collective PurgatoryLondon Urban Collective Purgatory

Following on from their award-winning Hipopera Inferno (Best Narrative Short, Chicago International Hip Hop Film Festival 2009), the acclaimed Urban Collective youth music project returns to the capital with a new cast of breakthrough artists and a new adaptation of Dante’s Purgatory for a spectacular stage performance in partnership with The Pleasance Theatre Islington.

Click on image opposite for the press release »

London Urban Collective InfernoLondon Urban Collective™ Inferno

London Urban Collective's™ feature Hipopera Inferno has won Best Narrative Short at The 2009 Chicago International Hip Hop Film Festival. Festival Curator Geoff Harkness said "Inferno is a spectacular piece of work and a great achievement. We are delighted to award the film Best Narrative Short. To watch Inferno, and it's 'making of' documentary visit.
www.londonurbancollective.com

Jonny Itch FoxJonny Itch Fox

Following London Urban Collective™ II in 2006 Jonny Fox formed The King Blues, signed to Householdname Records in 2007 and released debut album Under The Fog. Touring with Sonic Boom Six and Gogol Bordello brought them to the attention of Island Records imprint Field Records and the band were signed in 2008. Their second album Save The World - Get The Girl is out now.
www.kingblues.com

LykezLykez

Lykez joined London Urban Collective™ III at the age of 16 and flew to Atlanta with the project where she showcased for Purple Ribbon Entertainment and wrote a track for the album with Malachi from The Dungeon Family. Since then she has supported Method Man / Redman on UK dates, played Glastonbury, T in the Park, Underage, RISE and Hip Hop Kemp festivals and is now completing her debut album Lykez, Camera, Action!
www.lykez.com

Jody MvKennaJody McKenna

Jody McKenna emerged from the national youth music project British Urban Collective™. Recent support slots include Awash With Antler, Hoover Dams, Freedom Festival, Love Music Hate Racism, Like A Thief, Jersey Budd, Finlay Quaye and One Eskimo while Jody also appeared on Channel 4's The Secret Millionaire and wrote most of the music for that episode. He is currently recording his debut album with Homespun producer Alan Jones.
www.myspace.com/jodymckennafolk

James PykeJames Pyke

James Pyke joined London Urban Collective™ I in 2004 and returned in 2008 to take the lead role in Inferno which went on to win Best Narrative Short at Chicago International Hip Hop Film Festival. Since then he has presented Channel 4’s “Whatever” series, and the “Charge!” series for Community Channel. James is now working on new material for a debut album release.
www.myspace.com/jamespyke

ImanIman

Iman joined LUC II where she wrote and recorded with Shola Ama. Following the project she won a bursary to attend the British Academy of New Music and had one of her songs licensed to Giles Peterson compilation Brownswood Bubllers. Another track is currently receiving daily airplay in the US via Atlanta’s WCKU Jazz radio station.
www.myspace.com/imanmusic

CovoCovo

Covo auditioned for LUC IV and secured the lead role alongside James Pyke playing Virgil to his Dante in Inferno. His tour de force monologue in the film earned him massive critical acclaim, for his writing and performance, and he was cited by the Chicago International Hip Hop Film Festival as a major breakthrough talent. Since Inferno, Covo performed on the London stage in Paula Crickard’s Devil in Disguise and is now pursuing more acting roles while rehearsing his new band The Jekyls.
www.myspace.com/mrcovo

Testimonials

Words From Urban Collective Artists

I studied music at college and I've learned more about the music industry and met more like-minded people by being part of the Collective than I did in four years at college. Duncan

It's helped increase my knowledge of the music industry, helped me to come out of my comfort zone, helped me learn to sing, boosted my confidence, helped me to become more humble and less arrogant. Nathan

The BUC has provided an outlet for my band that has proved invaluable. We have met several like-minded people within it and continue to stay in close contact with them. Mike

We are now actively seeking gigs, management deals, and are in contact with A&R from Warner Music, and I feel like even if nothing came from any of this, I have had the time of my life being a part of it. Steve

The Collective has been the best thing I have done in music and I would do it again in a heartbeat. William

I wanted somebody to hear me sing and listen to my songs and these people just came out of nowhere and gave me an opportunity. So instead of me sitting in my bedroom writing songs and being afraid to express myself, I am a lot more confident. Now I sing my songs to anyone who'll listen. I’ve taken the next step forward …Thank you guys. Carrie

I've learnt things about the music industry that I wasn't even close to knowing previously, and I'm now fully Mac and Logic literate. I couldn't thank the team enough for my new-found drive to crack on with all things music.You've given us a gift that keeps on giving. Daniom

The British Urban Collective is one of the most interesting and exciting things that I have ever done, it has giving me something to aim for and now I really do know what industry I want to work in. Jack

If you see a project like Urban Collective then just go for it and audition. Off the back of Urban Collective, God knows what can happen!  Covo

Words From Community Center Partners

Without doubt the BUC project has been one of the most exciting projects The Warren has ever been involved in. Not only did it equip us with an industry standard recording studio but taught us what was necessary in terms of skills and commitment in order to engage and then promote young people of talent. Keith, Hull

The Urban Collective is the real deal giving the kids involved a genuine taste of the whole music industry. The kids loved every second of the Urban Collective experience and of course the United Estates got a state of the art recording studio, which is now used on a daily basis with bookings being made weeks in advance. Greg Davies, Manchester

The British Urban Collective has been both a fantastic and community ground-breaking initiative. This initiative has given those artists involved the opportunity to develop as artists and with the high levels of commitment currently being shown by the management team we can surely achieve greater things in the coming year. Jo, Belfast

BUC coming to Glasgow has had a significant influence on FARE's future programme planning. Seeing the growth in confidence in many of the collective has convinced us that music, and music production, is an important tool in the personal development of young people. Rosemary, Glasgow