Residency with Karen Nyame KG announced

Applications are now open to producers, rappers, vocalists, instrumentalists and DJs making or interested in any kind of afrocentric club music, such as Amapiano, Kwaito, Kuduro, Gqom, Batida, Afro-House.

Selected artists will work together in a state-of-the-art recording studio at NQ House in Manchester to create and record new tunes in just 5 days (15-19 May).

Dubbed the "Goddess of Rhythm" Karen Nyame KG has been an innovative and percussive luminary of dance music for nearly a decade. She'll lead the residency, with extra workshops from guest artists Fiyahdred, Ikonika and Gina Jeanz.

As the project explores the Queer and Black foundations of electronic music, we'll prioritise applications from Black/Global Majority music creators and LGBTQIA+ music creators.

In line with our mission to support the Northern music scene, priority will also be given to those based in the North East, North West and Yorkshire regions, although anyone from across the UK can apply.

This is a free development opportunity with travel, accommodation and access costs covered. Bursaries of up to £350 are also available to help artists take part.

Applications are now open until 11pm on Wednesday 12 April.

“We will be celebrating the Queer and Black foundations of electronic music by collectively exploring Afro Club and all of its hybrids (Tribal, UK Funky, Deep and Soulful House, Amapiano and more). Prepare to unpack the formula as we express, vibe, and create some culture-shifting grooves of our own!”

Karen Nyame KG

Find out more and apply

Visit the Get Involved section of our website.

If you know someone who you think would be interested in taking part, why not nominate them?

Send the person’s name and email address/social media profile to [email protected] and we’ll send them the application details.

Press and media

For more information and interview requests please contact our Head of Marketing and Communications Rebecca Horn.

Afro Energy with Karen Nyame KG is presented by Brighter Sound in partnership with NQ Legacy and Piano in the City.

Kindly supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, Foyle Foundation and PRS Foundation as a Talent Development Partner (supported by PPL).

About Karen Nyame KG

For nearly a decade, Karen Nyame KG has been an innovative and percussive luminary of dance music. Dubbed as the “Goddess of Rhythm”, KG’s plethora of African polyrhythms, low-end sub-basses, and energetic drum patterns are surefire to showcase the evolving sound of London’s club music hybridity and bounce.

Taking cues from a musically rich adolescence, her musical sphere is entrenched with those cut from the same cloth–collaborating with prolific acts across global and diasporic club music genres from South African Amapiano to US Jersey Club. Recently tearing the house down at Primavera Sound Festival with her iconic Boiler Room session, and the guest RA’s first ever filmed Exchange, KG has also turned in widely acclaimed mixes for tastemakers including FACT, Dekmantel, Trippin’, as well as radio shows for BBC 1Xtra, NTS, Foundation FM, Worldwide FM and more.

As well as previously having run a series of production workshops with Red Bull Music, in 2021, KG received a PRS Grant as part of the new PRS Power Up initiative - a long-term initiative created to support Black music creators and industry pro’s, as well as addressing racial disparities in the music sector.