Innovative grassroots organisation SDS Entertainment (Setting Da Standards) have announced that they will be launching a new online platform focusing on helping budding talent in the Croydon area.
Funded through the The Arts Council’s National Lottery Project, the new website will be hub to serve many different functions; a creative hub designed to help artists perform live and build their fanbase, as well as an educational platform for young artists to start acquiring awareness and a familiarity with the music business.
SDS Entertainment was founded in 2018 by Makeda Bennett-Amparbeng and Jade Reid, who both have experience in the industry through producing international showcases and artist management.
Following the 2017 abolishment of Form 696, a racially-motivated inhibitor of many black artists performing live and earning money, Makeda sought to curate an initiative devoted to supporting young creatives by rehabilitating the Croydon’s arts community via live performances, workshops and exhibitions.
They played a pivotal role during The ENDS Festival last year, helping to curate their ‘Future’ stage, dedicated to homegrown talent in the Croydon borough. This led to the inclusion of rapper Marc Jones on the bill, amassing over 3 million streams on Spotify and garnering support from BBC 1Xtra, GRM Daily and Link Up TV since then.
SDS Entertainment works closely with Mykaell Riley, director of the Black Music Research Unit at the University of Westminster and acclaimed music producer as well as with Wozzy Brewster OBE, founder of The Midi Music Company and a key figure n the development of many artist’s careers like The Noisettes, Kate Tempest, Katy B and Yussef Dayes.
Featured on BBC Radio London and BBC Radio 5, this is only the beginning for SDS as they plan to launch an artist development programme in 2020 to facilitate the ongoing penetration and mainstream breakthrough of UK acts.
To find out more about SDS Entertainment, go to their website or check them out on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
#Peace.Love.SDS
