HUMN and Twin Lee among the latest songwriters and producers to receive Hitmaker fund support
- Next deadline of Hitmaker support will be targeted for applications from talented women and gender minority behind the scenes songwriters and producers
- Deadline for applications 13th October 2021 at 6pm
PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development announces today the latest producers and songwriters to receive support from the ground-breaking Hitmaker fund are:
HUMN – Time to create
Twin Lee – Time to create
Ben Matravers – Equipment and studio hire
Adrian McLeod / A Mac – Studio hire
Glen Roberts – Time to create
Hitmaker supported producer and songwriter HUMN said,
“The Hitmaker Fund is an amazing opportunity for writers & producers and I’m so happy and extremely grateful to have been awarded this at such a vital point in my career. This is going to really help push me to the next level. Thank you so much PRS Foundation!”
At a time when it is becoming harder for up and coming behind the scenes creatives to earn sufficient funds to forge a sustainable career in the music business, PRS Foundation’s Hitmaker fund serves to address the need to support these creators who are the bedrock of the modern music industry.
Kwame Safo, Grants & Programmes Manager (Industry Funds) at PRS Foundation said,
“Huge congratulations to all the songwriters and producers in this latest round. This unique support is so important for those at that critical point in their careers to enable them to continue to move to that next level, particularly after such a turbulent time for the industry with the pandemic.
“This last round has highlighted that this vital Hitmaker support is not receiving as many applications from the many talented and eligible women and gender minority songwriters and producers that we know are out there in the UK today that can access and benefit from this support. To meet this clear gap in our support we are pivoting the next round of Hitmaker to be a targeted round for women and gender minority songwriters and producers.”
In response to the low number of Hitmaker applications from women and gender minority behind the scenes songwriters and producers, the next deadline will be targeted. Eligible talented women and gender minority behind the scenes songwriters and producers can apply for support from today with the deadline of applications on 13th October 2021.
To find out more about why this round is targeted and details of how to apply, click here
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.
Spotify is the exclusive digital partner for Hitmaker. The partnership enables more talented producers and songwriters to be supported across the three deadlines in 2021 and a closer working relationship between 2021 supported grantees and the Spotify team for promotional and marketing opportunities.
Aaron Buckingham, Songwriter and Publishing Relations at Spotify said,
“We continue to be excited at the level of talent demonstrated by the songwriters and producers receiving support from the Hitmaker Fund. They are all making really brilliant music that is already resonating with listeners on Spotify.
We are also pleased that the next round will be targeted at women and gender minority creators. Addressing the gender imbalance in the music industry – particularly with regards to encouraging more women and gender minority producers – is incredibly important to us.
Our EQUAL initiative launched earlier this year and is our global commitment dedicated to fostering equity for women in audio and celebrating their contributions. In addition, our hope is that the Created By Women playlist – featuring songs 100% written, produced and performed by women – will encourage more all-women collaboration. Hopefully we’ll be seeing some of the next grantees featured on this playlist and more very soon.”
Hitmaker 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
Find out more and apply for Hitmaker support
