The i-Create website is the result of a collaboration between the
EQUAL programme in Birmingham, Dep Studios and Pato Banton's
Muzik Links.
The EQUAL programme gets young people involved in the music industry. It
delivers a vocational programme of vocal skills, music technology and DJ
training. Studio facilities are provided by UB40's Dep
International Recording Studio. When they have completed the programme,
participants will have developed their skills and produced a professional
demo for marketing. The project tracks the students' progress and follows
them as they go on to further training or employment.
Muzik Links was set up by Pato
Banton, the famous reggae star. In 2000 he set up a commercial recording
studio in Birmingham close to a number of community facilities used by local
young people. He noticed the high levels of interest they displayed in the
studio, but recognised that they were unable to pay commercial studio rates.
Muzik Links was set up to harness young people's interest and use it as
a vehicle for personal development and career advancement. For this project,
Muzik Links provided industry professionals to act as course tutors. It
maintains an extensive
database of managers, studios, session musicians,agents and producers
and offers a one-stop referral service for students within the programme.
Students can showcase their talent by promoting and selling their CDs.