Today, the creative team behind BRXTN Studios, headed up by Karl Lokko, announced Nina Marie, Jbxnu, Majesty, Richard Carter, Mavis, and DeeCien as the finalists of Brixton Voices, a competition in search of south London’s next big musical talent, marking the opening of BRXTN Studios – a new state-of-the-art music recording studio located in the heart of the Grade-II listed marketplace, Brixton Village.
The finale will take place on Thursday 20 May at 7PM in BRXTN Studios, with a live streaming on the studios’ Instagram channel for all to tune in, hosted by Peckham-born social media personality Harry Pinero with an accompanying set from Stormzy’s sister, DJ Rachael Anson to kickstart the evening.
In the run up to the finale, Grammy nominated song-writer Ruth Anne Cunningham will be lending her expertise to mentor the finalists with a songwriting session ahead of the live finale. RuthAnne has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, including John Legend, Britney Spears, Professor Green, Pixie Lott, Martin Garrix, One Direction and Niall Horan, before releasing her own debut album in 2019, which has had songs featured on Grey’s Anatomy, Love Island and Netflix film Desperados. In 2020, RuthAnne received her first gold plaque as a producer for a collaborative single with notable Irish-female artists called Irish Women in Harmony, raising over €250,000 for Irish domestic abuse charity, Safe Ireland. This year, RuthAnne is back with more exciting releases including her recent single F.L.Y.
Open to all applicants living in Lambeth, the competition called on all gifted musicians, singers, rappers, producers and poets to audition by sending a digital file of their performance which was reviewed by the BRXTN Studios team. The competition’s aim was to encourage local innovation and celebrate the historical diversity and creativity of Brixton, offering the chance for an aspiring musician to have their voice or musical talent heard, regardless of experience.
On Thursday 6 May, Brixton Voices saw the shortlist of 21 finalists come together, spanning various genres of music and performance, to attend a live audition finale on BRXTN Studios’ Instagram channel with the general public as their live audience. After internal review and debate, Nina Marie, Jbxnu, Majesty, Richard Carter, Mavis, DeeCien were chosen as the 6 Brixton Voices finalists in the running to win 50 free hours of recording time in BRXTN Studios.
The Brixton Voices winner will be announced on Thursday 20 May with runners-up to be offered the opportunity to showcase their musical and performative talent on a stage within Brixton Village’s Courtyard, as part of the official entertainment programme during the summer season.
Karl Lokko, Creative Lead at BRXTN Studios said: “Almost everyone should be able to appreciate just how big a deal this is. Being awarded 50 hours in a state-of-the-art studio in itself is aspiration correlating with resources. The winner has entered a symmetry that could potentially change their lives forever.”
Forming part of BRXTN Studios, a new cultural hub for Brixton Village, the music recording studio and accompanying art space spans across 2,382 sq.ft. and resides in Market Row, home to a vibrant and diverse array of global cuisines and independent traders. BRXTN Studios’ creative team, led by Brixton resident Karl Lokko, aims to generate an innovative space that champions both emerging and established artists and bring their work to the forefront of Brixton’s community.
