Midi Music Company celebrates 30 years and announces alumni Yussef Dayes and Ahnanse as Patrons

09 April 2025 - Press release

 

Respected youth talent development organisation and charity The Midi Music Company (MMC) officially announced that Yussef Dayes and Ahnansé will join as new Patrons at its 30^th Anniversary celebration event at its creative hub in Deptford on Monday evening.

Both Ivor Novello award-winning Yussef Dayes and Ahnansé (aka Wayne Francis, founder of Steam Down) started their music careers at The Midi Music Company and have gone on to become acclaimed artists shaping the future of music. From learners to leaders, both artists are former alumni of MMC and it is a full circle moment for the new Patrons.

Yussef Dayes and Ahnansé become Patrons to support the work of MMC, alongside the illustrious lineup of existing Patrons Jazzie B OBE, Skin, Normski, Shingai, Shovell and Chaka Khan.

Over the past three decades, MMC has made a profound impact by providing access to music education, supporting emerging artists and using music as a tool for positive transformation.  MMC has advised, supported and assisted the likes of Yussef Dayes and Ahnansé, as well as Steam Down, Kae Tempest, Shingai, Rebekah Reid, Chainska Brassika, and many others to international acclaim.

Yussef Dayes said "The Midi Music Company is a special place; it's for the community. It's important for spaces like this to exist. It's nice to see fresh energy at The Midi Music Company, which is making big moves, with the refurbishment of their studio with investment from Sony Music UK's Social Justice Fund. Ahnansé and I, recorded our first records in the studio at The Midi Music Company, not knowing where things would go. The Midi Music Company sowed the seeds to our success. Wozzy and the whole team at The Midi Music Company gave us space to develop. I'm honoured to be a Patron."

Ahnansé said "Spaces like The Midi Music Company are needed for young people to develop. Yussef Dayes and I are the case study that has come into existence. Our very first recordings, our album with United Vibrations, were made in the studio at The Midi Music Company, which gave us the space to develop, something that is underrated and so important. We also had the support, care and nurture of Wozzy, in terms of guidance and navigating the music industry. I've had the opportunity to give back to MMC by teaching young musicians. The cycle continues and goes on. I feel like I'm graduating up through the ranks of The Midi Music Company University. Thank you Wozzy."

Wozzy Brewster OBE FRSA, Founder & Executive Director of The Midi Music Company said "The Midi Music Company are honoured to welcome our new Patrons from our CICAS® Alumni, and celebrate our 30^th year, while expressing heartfelt gratitude to our existing Patrons for their continued support. Their involvement will help MMC reach and inspire the next generation of young people, fostering creativity, confidence and community through the power of music and we look forward to the positive impact locally, nationally and internationally we can create with the support of all eight Patrons."