Latest producers and songwriters to receive PRS Foundation’s Hitmaker revealed as Spotify announce their support for the fund from 2021
- Seven talented behind the scenes producers and songwriters to receive grants of up to £10k
- Spotify will become the exclusive digital partner for the Hitmaker fund from 2021
Huge congratulations to the seven talented behind the scenes songwriters and producers to receive the ground-breaking Hitmaker fund! The recipients of the support are:
Jessica Winter – Music creation equipment
Kaity Rae – Studio hire
Nick Hahn – Studio hire
Ryan Ashley – Creative and professional development
Tudor Davies – Time to create
Two4Kay – International activity
Tylr Rydr – Studio hire & international activity
Hitmaker grantee Tudor Davies said
“The Hitmaker fund is an incredible resource that gives writers & producers the golden opportunity to take things to the next level. I’m incredibly honored, excited and humbled to have now been given that opportunity. I’ve been awarded this fund at a time in my career when so many other exciting things are happening, so all I can say is thank you.
In addition, PRS Foundation and Spotify are delighted to announce that from 2021, Spotify will be the exclusive digital partner for Hitmaker. This new partnership will mean, more talented producers and songwriters will be supported across three deadlines in 2021 and that there will be a closer working relationship between 2021 supported grantees and the Spotify team for promotional and marketing opportunities.
Ben Wynter, Grants & Programmes Manager (Industry Funds) at PRS Foundation said,
“Congratulations to the seven talented music creators receiving this latest round of support. It is important that we continue to support creators that are focused on their career goals and have a clear plan and strategy on how to achieve them despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Each creator will receive a vital injection of support at the right time to help them build on their talent and continue to progress their careers.
We’re also delighted to be partnering with Spotify going into 2021. Thanks to Spotify’s support, PRS Foundation will be able to support more songwriters and producers, increasing the amount of deadlines from 2 per year to 3 deadlines per year in 2021 and 2022 and bringing the added value of working closer to the Spotify team.”
Aaron Buckingham, Songwriter and Publishing Relations at Spotify said
“Songwriters are vital to the music industry, but often do not get the visibility they deserve. With this funding, we hope to help bring songwriters out from behind the curtain and into the limelight. We are proud to be the exclusive partner with the PRS Foundation to help empower songwriters to do what they do best: create and promote the music fans love.”.”
Hitmaker support offers songwriters, producers and music creators working behind the scenes in popular music genres to further develop their careers and writing/production credits with grants of up to £10,000. Under the previous guise of the pilot Writer Producer Fund, Hitmaker has supported talent that has worked with the likes of Nicki Minaj, Paramore, Stormzy, Kylie and many more.
Additionally, supported songwriters and producers have developed into a community of behind the scenes music creators, through Hitmaker events and a unique online network designed to connect talent and encourage collaboration.
PRS Foundation’s Hitmaker fund is open to UK based ‘behind the scenes’ songwriters, producers and music creators that have had at least three commercially exploited works, whether performed live, received media coverage, radio play, streams or released via commercial channels.
Applicants can apply for support for:
- Time to create
- Training / Skills courses at places such as Point Blank / SSE
- Creative / Professional development
- Studio hire
- Purchase of equipment / software / hardware (covers up to 25% of costs)
- Tracking
- UK writing space rental / lease
- Maternity leave and childcare
- International activity that could build profile and benefit creative development
The next deadline for applications to be submitted by is Friday 8th January 2021 at 6pm.
