PRS Foundation has launched a new Hitmaker fund.
The UK’s charitable funder of new music and talent development has replaced The Writer Producer Fund with a new opportunity to support songwriters, producers and music creators to further develop their careers and writing/production credits with grants of up to £10,000.
Under the previous guise the fund has supported talent that has worked with artists including Nicki Minaj, Paramore, Stormzy, Kylie and many more. Production team The Fanatix have since gone on to secure a publishing deal with Universal as well as a record deal with Sony.
Joe Frankland, CEO at PRS Foundation, said: “The success of The Writer Producer Fund has shown the creative and career impact of significant support for those working behind the scenes. This new and improved Hitmaker fund will build upon this foundation and connect more music creators to fast-track long-term careers. I’m looking forward to seeing who applies and how the support will impact their career.”
I’m looking forward to seeing who applies and how the support will impact their career
Joe Frankland
The Fanatix production team said: "The fund came at a pivotal time for us, we were gaining momentum and knew access to funds would leverage even more opportunities and lay the foundation for upcoming project releases. We used the fund to allow ourselves more time to create, pay studio fees, marketing and equipment which helped us to continue winning key cuts, secure high profile sessions and develop projects for releases e.g Stylo G x Nicki Minaj x Vybz Kartel, David Guetta, Idris Elba, Giggs, Popcaan, Kranium, Yxng Bane, Fredo, Not3s, NSG, B Young, plus many more.
“The activity and support from the fund coupled with hard work, and a strong team helped us set up a great foundation to springboard from. We are also fortunate that the combined activity and efforts also resulted in deal offers for publishing and records which we signed recently.”
The new Hitmaker fund will have a streamlined application process and will build a community of music creators through events and an online network designed to connect talent and encourage collaboration.
PRS Foundation’s Hitmaker fund is open to UK-based behind-the-scenes songwriters, producers and music creators that have had at least three commercially exploited works, whether performed live, received media coverage, radio play, streams or released via commercial channels.
Applicants can apply for support for areas including training, creative/professional development, studio hire, purchase of equipment, maternity leave/childcare and international activity that could benefit creative development.
Applications can be made through the PRS Foundation website. The first deadline for applications to be submitted by is January 6, 2020 at 6pm.
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