GRAMMY Award winning artist Eve, chart-topping singer-songwriter MNEK and BBC Radio 1 presenter Jess Iszatt have been announced as our new Ambassadors.
Eve, MNEK and Jess Iszatt join longtime Youth Music ambassadors, DJ duo BICEP, to help celebrate our 25th anniversary this year.
Over the next year, you will see our new ambassadors involved in a variety of initiatives, including the Youth Music Awards 2024.
Eve, MNEK, Jess and BICEP will use their voices and influence to raise awareness of the importance of grassroots music for young people who are facing barriers to access. Particularly at a time when funding for crucial grassroots music projects is in crisis.
The ambassador appointments mark our 25th anniversary, which will also see the release of an in-depth industry report next month, as well as a special anniversary edition of the annual Youth Music Awards towards the end of the year.
Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music, says: “We are delighted to announce the appointment of Eve, MNEK and Jess, as our ambassadors in Youth Music’s significant 25th year, joining our longstanding, dedicated ambassadors BICEP.
“Their combined experience of navigating the complexities of the music industry and understanding the importance of diversifying access to music from the grassroots is invaluable. We are excited to work in partnership with them to bolster our efforts in supporting young people to make, learn and earn in music.”
Eve
Eve is a Hip-Hop and R&B icon who is best known for her multi-million selling records including “Who’s That Girl” and collaborating with some of the biggest artists in the world such as Alicia Keys, DMX, Swiss Beatz and Missy Elliot. Like Youth Music, Eve will be celebrating her 25th anniversary in music this year. She will be marking the occasion through the release of a ‘Greatest Hits’ album and an autobiography entitled ‘Who's That Girl?”, which will be released in September 2024.
EVE says: “When I was approached by Youth Music to be involved in some capacity it was a yes without question. Growing up in Philadelphia without access to music would have changed my path in life, music is essential to all walks of life, so I am thrilled to be an ambassador to Youth Music.”
MNEK
GRAMMY Award-winning, BRIT and Ivor Novello-nominated artist, producer and writer MNEK has clocked up an astonishing fifteen years in the music business. With over four billion streams on MNEK written, featured and produced tracks, he has grown to become a true powerhouse within the British pop world.
As well as this, MNEK is considered an icon amongst the LGBTQIA+ community. His dedication to illuminating more inclusivity has seen him launch PROUD SOUND, an all-encompassing hub of queer talent, and become a contributor to the Guardian UK diversity panel.
MNEK says: “Very excited to announce that I’m a 2024 Youth Music Ambassador. I went to last year’s awards and from that moment, being able to see the talent that was there, and what Youth Music were doing for young talent, I knew instantly that I wanted to be an ambassador for this year.
"As someone who has been working in the industry since I was 14, I know how important it is to acknowledge talent from a young age, hone in on it, sharpen your knife, and it’s great there are charities like this that can advocate for that and I’m happy to be involved.”
Jess Iszatt
Jess Iszatt is the host of Radio 1’s flagship BBC Introducing show; where she champions and showcases the talents of unknown and emerging music artists. Jess is at the very cutting edge of music and prides herself as a tastemaker at the forefront of the new music scene in the UK.
Jess said: “I am excited to be joining Youth Music as an Ambassador. Music is at the centre of my life and brings me so much happiness and escapism. Music can influence children and adults in so many ways and everyone should have the ability to access it. I can’t wait to start working with Youth Music and the young people they help every day.”