The London Urban Collective is a grassroots, socially responsible organisation looking to give young people a leg up in the music industry. I've been in touch with them for a few years and reviewed one of their CDs for Metro. Despite being a CD-cruncher of sorts (my job = listening to as many CDs as possible in as short a time as possible and currently my CD pile to get through is about 50 deep), I remember it well. Because it was genuinely good, rather than a tokenistic, patronising effort.
Anyhow, it looks like the London Urban Collective are behind the first reality tv talent show wih morals and soul. And it begins tomorrow. Tune in on the ace community channel - that's actual reality tv, by real people in their real environments. Since when was Big Brother actually 'reality'. What with Dubplate Drama beginning last night, it's been a good week for urban TV. Or I should say TV that represents inner city youth, and ethnic minorities, fairly and gives them a voice.
Here's the blurb: The story of London Urban Collective (LUC) - a unique youth music project in which thirty young people are chosen from auditions across London to write, record and promote their own album for independent release, mentored by industry professionals - including Shola Ama. Now in its third year, LUC provides a major platform for emerging new UK talent.
big up Harry for running the project. You can find out more here, and thanks to Rachel at the Community Channel for tracking me down, and the images.
