Sponsor

Arts Council England is the national development agency for creativity and culture. Between 2023 and 2026 we will have invested over £467 million of public money from Government, alongside an estimated £250 million each year from The National Lottery, to support individual practitioners, arts organisations, museums and libraries, and to help ensure that people in every part of the country have access to culture and creativity in the places where they live. Visit our website to learn more about our work.

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The Nominees

Trxth (he/him) & RHIA (she/her) - Stay Alive

Bollo Brook Youth Centre, London

Trxth & RHIA are rising South London artists who first connected through Bollo Studios, collaborating on music that blends personal storytelling with contemporary R&B, soul and rap. RHIA combines influences from R&B, hip-hop and jazz to create a distinctive sound, while Youth Music NextGen Fund recipient Trxth brings honest, reflective lyricism rooted in lived experience. Their track “Stay Alive” pairs an uplifting, memorable hook with a powerful message of resilience, connection and hope.

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RONN (he/him) & Zuko Rosemeid (he/him) - BONG RIP

Youth Music NextGen Fund, London

Ronn & Zuko Rosemeid are London-based artists bringing together Telugu rap and South London drill to create music that crosses cultures, languages and borders. Hyderabad-born rapper, songwriter and producer Ronn is a trailblazer for Telugu Hip Hop, while Zuko Rosemeid brings a fresh South London perspective. Their track “BONG RIP” blends Telugu slang, UK rap influences and themes of friendship, identity and connection, showing how music can build bridges between communities and experiences.

RONN headshot

TRACKS COLLECTIVE - Spotlight

Tracks UK, Yorkshire & The Humber

TRACKS Collective is a Sheffield-based group of young artists brought together through TRACKS UK’s youth music programmes. Blending different ages, backgrounds and musical styles, they use music to share honest stories and positive messages. Their track “Spotlight” was inspired by conversations about gender equality and the women who inspire them, bringing together young performers, mentors and musicians in a powerful celebration of creativity, community and youth voice.

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