Boxes: great for storage, terrible for musicians who defy genre. Enter Urban Development with
Re
efinition, a project that celebrates what really matters to music lovers - talent, originality and creativity.
As part of the
Young London: Into Music /
CREATE09 festival, Urban Development has invited a selection of groundbreaking home-grown artists to share their passion for music through collaboration.
Reefinition is what happens when urban music is
re:fixed,
re:mixed and
re:freshed.
Leave your preconceptions at home and step into a world where everything inside is
outside of the box. Homegrown heroes
Ghetts,
Leon Jean-Marie,
Roses Gabor,
The Thirst and
Marvell mix it up with kindred spirits from the other side of the genre divide to create in the studio and share on stage. Think fantasy football league for music fans.
Add UK soul legend
Roachford, drum 'n' bass songstress
Jenna G, a live band and the screening of a short film inspired by the project and you have the makings of an unmissable event. Reserve your seat for a musical excursion that goes beyond the city limits.
About CREATE09 'Young London: Into Music' is a key strand of CREATE09. CREATE09 is the multi-genre, multi-event festival of culture that will be celebrating a wealth of music and art in all its glory in the Olympic and Paralympic Host Boroughs this summer.
CREATE09 festival of arts runs from 22 June - 2 August 2009 and will feature over 300 events across festivals, performance, music, design, theatre, architecture, comedy, fine arts and heritage. It is a celebration of the unique character of the five Olympic and Paralympic host boroughs, reflecting the diverse communities that define the region. The festival is an official part of the Cultural Olympiad and has been awarded the Inspire Brand.
About Urban Development
Urban Development presents Re
efinition is part of the Young London: Into Music / CREATE09 festival.
Urban Development is the home of London's new urban music talent. They specialise in professional development, live events and education. Combining business acumen with a firm understanding of youth culture, Urban Development has built a reputation for inspiring young people and championing some of brightest names on the local and national scene.
Urban Development will mentor a group of young adults from Newham - some of whom fall under the socially excluded banner and are Not in Employment, Education or Training (
NEET). By working with inspirational industry professionals, the young participants will engage in the development of new music content; as well as curate, produce and promote an event alongside high profile recording artists.
'Young London: Into Music' is being created by young people, for young people.
Visit
urbandevelopment.co.uk for more information.
Artists performing on the night…
MPHO
MPHO is a British talent like no other. A genre-defying singer, songwriter and producer, she has enormous global pop potential. Already a name to drop amongst people in the know, thanks in part to her infectious new single 'Box N Locks', MPHO is set to be one of the most exciting names of 2009. Signed to EMI / Parlaphone her debut album 'Pop Art' is slated for a release this autumn and is co-produced by MIA-collaborator Switch amongst others.
CRAZY COUSINZ
Crazy Cousinz are the collective that put the 'fun' in UK funky. Over the past year their tribal beats and catchy hooks have led the funky house revolution. That unmistakable trademark sound put 'Bongo Jam' in the national charts and has made them a household name on the remix circuit, prompting Kelly Rowland to sing their praises live on Trevor Nelson's radio show. Their single 'Do You Mind' was recently play-listed on Radio 1 and their debut album 'This is Funky House Vol 1' is out now.
GHETTS
The artist formerly known as Ghetto has undergone a transformation of late. A native of Plaistow, Newham, the gifted lyricist has conquered the grime scene and is now making serious inroads into the mainstream with high-octane singles such as 'Sing For Me' and 'Don't Phone Me'. His music has been played on national radio stations such as BBC Radio 1, Asian Network and 1Xtra, in addition to Kiss 100. He has toured with Kano and has featured in videos by The Streets and Professor Green, in addition to rocking Glastonbury Festival.
LEON JEAN-MARIE
When the likes of Mark Ronson co-produces your debut album then you know you are on your way. Already a seasoned performer on the live circuit, Leon Jean-Marie was featured on the Wonky Pop tour alongside FrankMusik and Alphabeat. The east Londoner's single 'Bed Of Nails' was picked up by Radio 2 and his eclectic debut album, 'Bent Out Of Shape', was released last year to rave reviews. A critic once described his sound as the sort of joyous pop / rock / funk that Prince used to do so well. Now that's a comparison most could live with.
ROACHFORD
Ever since making his mark on the national charts with unforgettable tracks like 'Cuddly Toy' and 'Family Man' in the late 80s, Andrew Roachford's maverick take on music has spread far and wide. A respected veteran of the UK soul scene, Roachford was Columbia's biggest selling domestic act for over ten years. His new studio album 'Addictive' continues to build on his legacy and win new fans.
ROSES GABOR
Whether notching up session singer credits as Rosie Wilson, or donning her Roses Gabor alter ego to push the boundaries of electro pop, this soul renegade is a unique talent and song-writing force. With number one credentials - as the singer on Gorillaz's 'Dare' (featuring Shaun Ryder) - the husky-toned vocalist is marked for greatness.
JENNA G
A drum and bass singer in her own right Jenna also presents a weekend radio show on 1xtra with Twin B. Jenna G has worked with the likes of Alesha Dixon, So Solid, and is the official vocalist for The Shapeshifters.
THE THIRST
The Thirst are an electrifying indie/rock band who are emerging as one of the premiere live acts in the UK. Consisting of brothers Mensah (lead guitar) and Kwame (bass), alongside school friends Mark (rhythm guitarist) and Marcus (drummer), The Thirst blend together a vibrant sound and offer a refreshing and uplifting alternative to present youth culture. Inspired and influenced by old punk records, Hendrix, drum n' bass and hip-hop, the result is uniquely their own.
MARVELL
Storming through the UK underground with their original sound and infectious flow, the grime collective, Marvell (Vertex, Shocka and Double S) is the fresh face of new skool grime. The north London trio is moving up the ranks with the suitably titled 'Make Noise'. Marvell member Double S is no stranger to street buzz, his reggae-tinged banger, 'From Day', won over the likes of Tim Westwood with its rapid-fire rhymes and autotuned, half-time hook. '
Young London: Into Music' is a key strand of
CREATE09 - the multi-genre, multi-event festival of culture that will be celebrating a wealth of music and art in all its glory in the Olympic and Paralympic Host Boroughs between
22nd June and
2nd August 2009.
Event: Urban Development presents Re: Definition
Date: Thursday 23rd July
Doors: 6pm
Venue: Stratford Circus, Theatre Square, E15, 1BX
Telephone: 020 8279 1080
Doors: 7.30 - 10.30pm
Tickets: £8/12 / 020 8279 1015 /
stratford-circus.com 
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URBAN DEVELOPMENT PRESENTS RE:DEFINITION: THURSDAY 23RD JULY 2009
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