Tomorrow’s Warriors: A Grime Supreme

Tomorrow’s Warriors

Tomorrow’s Warriors is a leading talent development organisation, creative producer, learning and training provider, consultancy and charity specialising in jazz. Founded in 1991, we help aspiring young artists discover their magic, nurture nascent talent, achieve creative ambitions, and build engaged, diverse audiences.

We champion diversity, inclusion and equality. Whilst inclusive, our pioneering Young Artist Development Programme primarily supports the early careers of young musicians, with a focus on Black musicians, female musicians and those whose financial or other circumstances might lock them out of opportunities to pursue a career in the music industry.

Tomorrow’s Warriors has proved a crucial development platform for many of the artists now tearing up the international jazz scene – Moses Boyd, Nubya Garcia, Cassie Kinoshi and Nérija, Femi Koleoso and Ezra Collective and so many more…

“It’s thanks to the incredible work of our Music Leaders, the teams from The Music Works and Jazz Stroud and the talented musicians and producers, who were all so dedicated, that A GRIME SUPREME managed to build so many bridges between communities.”

Gabriel Starkey, Tomorrow’s Warriors Learning, Outreach and Engagement Co-ordinator.

A GRIME SUPREME CONCLUDES IN GLOUCESTER AND STROUD… FOR NOW!

Tomorrow’s Warriors has been working with The Music Works and Jazz Stroud, alongside an incredible group of young musicians to deliver A GRIME SUPREME in Gloucester and Stroud. The energy and results have been incredible, and it was fitting that the project concluded with a community showcase and panel session at The Music Works, followed by a headline concert at the Goods Shed featuring the young musicians involved and special guests Moses Boyd and XVNGO.

The inspirational Music Leaders working on A GRIME SUPREME featured iconic British producer Swindle, TW alumni Mercury-nominated jazz drummer Moses Boyd, PhD Neuroscience student and jazz-drill pioneer, XVNGO (Deji Ijishakin), plus genre-fluid MC and Gloucester native, Rider Shafique. 

From September – November 2023, Tomorrow’s Warriors delivered: 

  • 3 workshop days 

  • 2 live public performances at The Music Works Gloucester and The Goods Shed Stroud

  • 3 Panel sessions with the A GRIME SUPREME team for Gloucester community

  • Inspirational performance from Moses Boyd and XVNGO

  • 275+ learning opportunities

  • Facilitated the creation of at least 8 new songs

  • Workshop for young people with leading audio technicians, DnB Audio.

Additionally, the project is already delivering an ongoing legacy with the opportunity for participants to record at Real World Studios, plus two festival performances secured for 2024.

Testimonials

We had high expectations of the impact of A GRIME SUPREME but the outcomes in Gloucester far exceeded them. However, it’s the response from the participants that we were most moved by and shows we have gone some way to bridging the divides.

Here are just a few testimonies from the young people involved in the programme:

‘I was getting emotional when I came off stage and I was looking at everyone and I was thinking ‘this is what I’ve wanted to do my entire life’. The fact that Tomorrow’s Warriors has been able to give us a platform to start that and to make connections like this… it’s been such a good project, and I don’t want it to end.’ Tilda

‘Everyone has really been there for me on this project, and it hasn’t just impacted me musically but emotionally and mentally, and helped a lot of my social confidence – I can connect with people a lot now – not just with music, but also without it.’ Nile

‘Working with the TW team has been honestly so influential and inspiring. They really do look after you, they really do help you out so much. For me, personally, having Moses around, him just telling me stuff, helped me grow in my talent and my work so much more because of what he’s taught. He’s been so generous.’ Jayden

‘I think one of my proudest moments was getting over my social anxiety… just going into the mindset of you’re here for the music, you’re not here to care about what anyone thinks. You’re here for the music, and that’s one thing I’m really proud of.’ Funke