Pitch, Scotland’s international, multi-venue conference of hip hop and underground culture takes place on Saturday 27 August across four venues in the East End of Glasgow. Applications are now open for two artists to perform at Pitch’s live evening showcase at Saint Luke’s alongside Aberdeen’s rising star AiiTee, Dundee’s MC Salum, pioneering Edinburgh MC LOTOS and Cardiff rapper/Triskel Award winner Mace the Great. All six showcase acts will be invited to a post-conference information session on taking the next steps in their careers and receive a £500 creative development grant supported by PRS Foundation. Aiming to celebrate and empower members of the hip hop and underground communities, Pitch Scotland’s all-day event of performances, discussions, workshops and networking opportunities will culminate in the live showcase at Saint Luke’s. The callout comes as Pitch announces details of a presentation charting the history of hip hop, the addition of fourth outdoor venue BAaD (Barras Art and Design) and confirms a day-time hip hop dance performance by THREE60.
Also confirmed is the addition of an exclusive stream of a discussion on strategies for setting up your own music business presented by the Association of Independent Music (AIM). Chaired by Ben Wynter of AIM and talent management company Unstoppable Music Group, the pre-recorded discussion will feature input from artist manager Mobolaji Agoro, double SAMA-winning hyperpop musician TAAHLIAH, artist/producer Donae’o and Stella Reid, founder of independent artist development hub and management service Rough Bones Records.
Joe Frankland, CEO at the PRS Foundation says:
“Following the huge success of HANG, we are excited to see it evolving into Pitch – a vital conference and showcasing event which brings together creators and professionals working in hip hop and underground genres in Scotland and beyond. We’re pleased to support this year’s event through PRS Foundation’s Open Fund, and particularly look forward to seeing the impact this will have on the creative and career development of the artists involved. There are so many talented people in underground scenes across Scotland right now – including POWER UP participants Bemz, Becky Sikasa, Mobolaji Agoro, Sami Omar and TAAHLIAH – and we know Pitch and other events and initiatives in Scotland provide much-needed opportunities for talent to thrive nationally and internationally.”
Inspiration for artists and fans alike is plentiful throughout Pitch’s day of workshops, live sets, performances, discussions and a presentation of imagery and artefacts tracing the development of hip hop from the 1980s to the present day. Displayed at vibrant arts and entertainment venue BaAD, the presentation is curated by Mobolaji Agoro, manager of hip hop platform Up2Stndrd and founder member of the Forij arts collective, and Shelltoe Mel, the photographer, breakdancer, DJ and artist.
Situated just a few minutes’ walk from Pitch’s previously announced Glasgow venues Saint Luke’s, Many Studios and community arts hub The Space, BAaD will also host a one-hour networking and open mic session with Up2Standard plus an hour of intimate spoken word performances from BeeAsha (The Honey Farm), Texture aka Bram E Gieben and musician/poet FiyinFakunle. Outside The Space, throughout the day delegates and general public will be able to watch Glasgow street artist Rogue One painting graffiti of the Pitch design.
For full programme details please click here.
Pitch encourages applications for the live showcase from artists already releasing music and creating waves on Scotland’s live scene who have an interest in the wider aims and activities of the conference. To apply for the showcase please follow the link here.
Day-time registration is free, and evening passes are £5 available here from Eventbrite.
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