PROMINENT music figures returned to their roots to give aspiring young artists an insight into the music business.
Nationally acclaimed Dorchester hip hop artist Isaiah Dreads and DJ Jaguar Bingham from BBC Radio Introducing hosted a free workshop event at Weymouth Library.
Targeted at 14 to 18-year-olds, the workshop was designed to advise youngsters on how to carve out a career in the industry and the resources available to them.
Jaguar, 22, originally from West Stafford, now works in London finding and supporting emerging artists through BBC Introducing.
She said: “I grew up in Dorset and I wanted to show young people here that it is possible to get into the industry and do what you love.”
Having won two nationally recognised awards for her work in student radio whilst studying English at university, Jaguar got her start by interning with Radio 1Xtra.
“It was the best two months of my life, I got to work with my idols like Annie Mac and on the early breakfast show.
“My advice for people is to be persistent and to not be afraid to email people even if you don’t get a response.You also need to be prepared to work for free, and if you’re going to uni join the radio station or media society.”
BBC Introducing, which will celebrate its 10th anniversary this year, is a platform for emerging artists to upload their material and share with others.
Isaiah, formerly known as Lil Dreads, first shot to fame through the site when he was still a Thomas Hardye Student.
Now 19, he has just signed with Sony music and recently headlined his first sold-out show at the Camden Assembly.
He said: “I first uploaded my work to BBC Introducing when I was about 13, then was I was 15 it got sent to Rob da Bank and that was just crazy.
“I have recently released my first EP Lone Wolf and I’m working on getting an album together.”
without the pressure of actually calling it an album.
“You have to work hard for it. Some days I get in the studio at lunchtime and I don’t leave until three in the morning, but it doesn’t feel like work because you are doing something you love.”
Andy Cleeton, a lecturer in music production at Weymouth College, was there supporting the event.
He said: “Young people can gain so much from this. The best advice I can give them is to find new music all the time. That’s their job. We can teach them all the skills but it’s their job to be finding new music they love.”
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