Urban Music Festival back in 2005

Youth charity The Prince’s Trust has announced that a second Prince’s Trust Urban Music Festival - a celebration of urban music and culture - will take place on 16 and 17 April 2005 at Earls Court, London.

This year's event - the first - showcased US and UK hip hop and R&B acts including Jay-Z, Beyonce, Jamelia, Alicia Keys, The Streets, Roots Manuva, Amy Winehouse, Dizzee Rascal, Lemar and Mos Def. Acts are now being approached for next year's event.

Using the influence of urban music, the festival hopes to engage with some of the UK’s hardest to help young people, promoting the many positive routes to success through the urban industry. In the lead up to the event, the youth charity will be organising The Prince’s Trust Unsigned Talent Nights to support raw music talent. Unsigned artists, MC’s, music producers and Streetdance crews will be given the chance to perform at the Festival alongside the top acts.

As part of the 2004 festival, The Prince’s Trust set up over 50 workshops, zones and businesses at Earls Court as well as the popular Battle Stage. The urban industry’s leading players, including artists such as Roots Manuva and Rock Steady Crew’s Crazy Legs, gave practical advice on everything from MC-ing, music production, B-Boying and Beatboxing to urban clothing and music magazines. The Battle Stage in the main arena gave a platform to the best B-Boys, MC’s and music producers in the UK.

For more information on The Prince’s Trust and the Urban Music Festival 2005, see http://www.princes-trust.org.uk

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