4 UK artists receive PRS Foundation and BBC Music Introducing support to showcase at SXSW 2024

10 March 2024 - Press release

 

• The four artists were selected to perform by BBC Music Introducing and PRS Foundation teams of experts and tastemakers after submitting their music to the Uploader

 

PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, in partnership with BBC Music Introducing announce the 4 UK-based artists receiving support to perform at the British Music Embassy at this year's SXSW festival in Austin, Texas.

 

The four artists selected are:

• BODUR – performing on 14th March at 7:30pm – 8:00pm
• Miso Extra – performing on 14th March at 11:30pm – 12:00am
• SANITY – performing on 15th March at 8:50pm – 9:20pm
• Jaz Dhami – performing on 15th March at 11:30pm – 12:00am

 

BODUR is here to channel musical art into an exploration of self. The London-born Turkish-Sri Lankan artist harnesses an alternative electronic soundscape to embrace her dual heritage and layered identities. From the EP title to her visual aesthetics, BODUR’s creative process is shaping her as an artist who is inspiring a generation of South Asian and Middle Eastern women across the UK.

Miso Extra is the solo project and moniker behind the fast-rising London-based singer, rapper and producer. Born in Hong Kong to a British father and Japanese mother, the artist moved to Japan when she was a child and later relocated to the UK. Growing up, she learnt how to play the violin and loved to sing. Her musical influences include J Dilla, the late MF DOOM, Daft Punk and Kelis. Aside from music, anime inspired the artist, and these references have been woven into her work today.

SANITY is known for encapsulating a distinctive blend of hip-hop, jazz and soul. Her sharp commentary has a fearless instinct, expertly balancing smoothness, and potency with each line, while navigating current themes from empowerment to self-examination. Since her first festival performance at the renowned Glastonbury, the artist has captivated global audiences, showcasing her music to over 1 billion people at the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony in Australia (2018).

Jaz Dhami is one of the most versatile Punjabi artists in the world. He was the first British Asian artist to break into India's most watched list on YouTube with his ground-breaking pop anthem "High Heels." He went on to become the only South Asian to be featured in a mega collaboration by the BBC, featuring Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder and Sam Smith to launch BBC Music. Combining his Indian Classical education with his western musical influences, he has effortlessly fused Punjabi melodies with authentic western beats. Jaz Dhami has nurtured a sound that proves he is the pioneer of Punjabi R&B.

Since 2015, BBC Music Introducing and PRS Foundation have been working together to support and create a platform for the UK’s most talented artists to showcase at overseas music industry events, including Ezra Collective, Sam Fender, Nilufer Yanya and Yazmin Lacey.  So far more than 20 artists, who have uploaded their music to the BBC Music Introducing Uploader, have been selected via BBC Music Introducing and PRS Foundation’s teams of experts, tastemakers and advisors from across the UK, to perform at showcases around the world.

Westley Holdsworth, Grants & Programmes Manager at PRS Foundation said, “We’re delighted to continue our hugely impactful partnership with BBC Music Introducing to support more talented and export ready artists to perform at this year’s SXSW. So many of the previous supported artists such as Arlo Parks, Little Simz and Sam Fender, to name a few, have gone on to develop impressive and successful careers. There continues to be so many barriers to breaking into new territories and as this becomes more and more critical in our interconnected world we’re excited to be able to support these artists to showcase at SXSW 2024 and look forward to seeing the impact of this opportunity on their careers going forward.”

Kelly Betts, Editor at BBC Music Introducing said, “BODUR, Miso Extra, SANITY & Jaz Dhami are four of the incredible artists we’re taking to SXSW in Austin, Texas with PRS Foundation. We’re really excited to be there with them as they take on their first international showcase. We believe these artists are future icons in the making. The collaboration with PRS Foundation allows us to help brilliant UK talent perform their music internationally, and together we’ve supported Self Esteem, Little Simz, and Rag’N’Bone Man.”

BBC Music Introducing and PRS Foundation showcases at SXSW this year are part of a wider UK presence at the festival, highlighting a snapshot of the exciting talent making music in the country today. The British Music Embassy (BME) will be a focal point across 7 days of the festival and PRS Foundation is supporting an additional 28 UK-based artists to showcase at SXSW through its International Showcase Fund, many of which will be performing at the BME as well as across the festival.  And this year will see the launch of UK Sounds, the new initiative for UK-based music creators looking for information, resources and support to reach audiences and expand their careers overseas. Set up by PRS Foundation in collaboration with several music export organisations and partners, this vital platform highlights and represents the broad range of exciting music from across the UK and is a hub for music industry professionals and organisations outside of the UK looking to connect with export ready UK talent.