2 years of Step Up - catch up with the awardees!
Since the creation of Step Up Fund, powered by Amazon Music in 2022, we've been privileged to witness each artist blossom into exciting new phases of their musical journey, thanks to the invaluable support provided by the funding.
Let’s see what all 22 awardees from 2022 and 2023 have been up to…
LVRA
LVRA had a dynamic year marked by the release of their EP 'soft like steel' in March, accompanied by a matching short film funded by Step-Up. The EP garnered significant attention and support from notable platforms such as Dazed, Mixmag, Metal Magazine, and others, solidifying LVRA's presence in the music scene.
To complement the release, LVRA introduced a limited edition 3D printed pendant made from sustainable bioplastic, featuring a concealed USB-drive.
In October 2023, the EP took on a tangible form with a vinyl release. To celebrate this milestone, LVRA hosted sold-out debut headline shows at Colour Factory in London and Civic House in Glasgow. These shows incorporated immersive mixed media installations that engaged the audience in the world of the EP.
Continuing their momentum, LVRA embarked on a 15-date Asia tour, supported by Carhartt and alongside their label collective, Eastern Margins.
Joel Culpepper
Joel has been on a whirlwind journey since securing the Step Up Fund in 2022. His latest milestone includes the release of the captivating EP 'Happiness Is Only A Few Miles Away' on November 10th, featuring the standout single 'Free' with the acclaimed Tom Misch.
Joel released a live session version of 'It’s Just A Broken Heart' earlier this Autumn, as well as performing a sold-out headline show at the Lower Third in Soho. The buzz around his music extends beyond live performances, with multiple national radio plays further propelling his distinct sound into the spotlight.
Elkka
Elkka has had an extraordinary year since Step Up. She dropped the DJ-Kicks: Elkka mix album, showcasing her diverse musical prowess. Additionally, she released singles 'I Just Want To Love You' and, most recently, 'DJ Friendly' on Ninja Tune.
In the early months of 2023, Elkka kicked off the year with a tour in Australia and New Zealand. Her touring momentum continued with an extensive schedule, including a 2023 EU, UK & US summer festival and club tour, featuring over 25 dates, with a highlight being the prestigious Glastonbury Festival. Adding to her global journey, Elkka graced the decks at the renowned Berghain club in Berlin. Moreover, she brought her live show to audiences across the UK and Europe during her headline tour. Elkka's dynamic presence and musical ventures have truly defined a remarkable chapter in her career.
Friedberg
Friedberg had an exciting year and they kicked things off by joining Placebo for support tour in the UK and France. The excitement continued as Friedberg embarked on an arena-support tour with the popular German band "AnnenMayKantereit." This tour brought them in front of a massive audience, performing for an impressive crowd of 50,000 people. It marked a notable milestone in their journey, showcasing their ability to engage and captivate audiences on a grand scale.
Adding to their eventful year, they also played at the First Fifty, the live launch of the Great Escape 2024.
CHERISE
CHERISE marked her well deserved spot in the music scene with the release of her album 'Calling' on July 7th, distributed by Kartel. The momentum carried into 2023 with the drop of the single 'Secrets' in March, swiftly followed by 'Elixir' and '2 Steppin'.
Adding to her diverse portfolio, she recently showcased her talent on the track 'Earth Is The Place' with Spirit Of Sunaze Ensemble. In 2022, CHERISE earned notable recognition, opening for Michael Kiwanuka at L’Olympia, Paris, and Colisee de Roubaix in Lille. She also shared the stage with Jamie Cullum during his spring/summer European tour.
This summer, CHERISE took centre stage at the main stage of Cross the Tracks Festival and enchanted audiences at Love Supreme (UK) and Elbjazz Festival in Hamburg. Her journey is marked by a dynamic mix of performances and collaborations, establishing her as a noteworthy artist.
Daniel Casimir
Since being awarded the Step Up Fund in 2022, Daniel Casimir’s journey has seen notable milestones, including the release of the collaborative single 'Lost' with Ria Moran in late 2022 and most recently producing Tess Hirst's debut album. The album's first single, 'Magic' was released on November 28th.
Casimir has devoted the past year and a half to crafting his upcoming record, and headlined a captivating show with the Daniel Casimir Big Band on March 10th at the esteemed Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club. This performance was just one among several others that showcased his exceptional talent and dedication to captivating live audiences.
Nineteen97
Nineteen97 has navigated a bustling year, marked by a headline tour across the UK and the release of impactful singles such as 'ALIVE' and 'WEATHERMAN,' setting the stage for the much-anticipated EP 'CHROME II' scheduled for April 7th.
Adding to the excitement, he dropped the latest single 'BACKSEAT,' accompanied by an iconic music video that further cements his creative prowess. Nineteen97's continuous flow of engaging releases and dynamic visuals highlights a year of artistic exploration and growth.
Deyah
Deyah has been on a great journey following the Step Up, and her momentum continued with the release of the single 'So We Go' in January 2023. Currently, she's taking time to delve into the creative process, teasing us with the anticipation of what she has in store for her upcoming projects.
In 2022, Deyah made a significant impact with the release of standout singles such as 'Suffa,' 'Black Glamour,' and 'Maranatha.' The acclaim these tracks received in the press further solidified her presence in the music scene. As she takes this moment to craft new material, the excitement builds for the musical gems she'll unveil in the near future.
VUKOVI
VUKOVI have soared to new heights since their involvement with Step Up. The momentum kicked off with the release of the EP 'I EXIST' on LAB Records towards the end of 2022, swiftly followed by the impressive 'QUENCH' EP on September 29th.
The band continued their prolific run by dropping the highly acclaimed album 'NULA' on October 7th, amassing an impressive 8 million streams worldwide. Setting the tone for 2023, VUKOVI launched into the year with the single 'CREEP HEAT' and, most recently, unleashed 'MERCY KILL,' coinciding with their signing to the esteemed Sharptone Records.
Their journey included a dynamic UK tour and a noteworthy support slot for the legendary Baby Metal across the UK. Looking ahead, VUKOVI is set to embark on an expansive European tour starting in February 2024, culminating in a standout performance at Welcome to Rockville in Florida, marking their venture into the U.S. music scene. The band's trajectory continues to impress, solidifying their position as a force to be reckoned with in the global music landscape.
Amahla
Amahla has been making waves with the release of 'Enough,' a contemporary anthem reminiscent of the timeless 'A Change Is Gonna Come,' earning a prestigious spot on the NMF UK playlist. Venturing into new musical territories, they expanded their repertoire with 'Ça Suffit,' their first French-language song, and a French version of 'Enough.' Notably, the first-year proceeds from the latter are dedicated to supporting charities for women and children in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Amahla orchestrated a memorable launch event at the House of Koko, providing fans with an intimate setting to connect with the artist's latest creations, as well as a secret Jazz club gathering that was exclusively curated for superfans.
Looking ahead, the artist is gearing up for another significant milestone—a highly anticipated mixtape scheduled for release on January 19th.
Amie Blu
Amie Blu has enjoyed an amazing past few months since the release of "Step Up." The music video for her single, 'No Spine,' stands as a testament to this exciting journey. Skillfully recorded live in a studio alongside a guitarist, the video creatively integrates a myriad of lamps, offering a tantalising glimpse into the visually stunning experience that awaits the audience during her live show performances.
Amie has been diligently shaping her artistic vision, having recruited a seasoned Musical Director and secured top-notch rehearsal venues. As an added treat for her live show attendees, she is currently curating an exclusive book. This special edition will encompass behind-the-scenes photographs, exclusive content from art shoots, and insights from the music videos associated with Amie's EP 'Crumbs in My Bed.' This bespoke creation is set to be a heartfelt gift to those attending her live performances, providing an immersive and unforgettable experience for her fans.
Aziya
In just a few months since Step Up, Aziya has been very busy. In September, Aziya unveiled her EP 'Lonely Castles - she describes "Lonely castles as a kind of metaphor for the isolation we can feel, in a
world where we have an overwhelming amount of connection at the tip of our fingers". ‘Noteworthy ‘is the single 'Atomic' amassing over 2 million worldwide streams.
She has well over 280,000 followers on TikTok, and Aziya now has partnered with the legendary UTA worldwide, who now stand as her global agents.
Looking ahead to 2024, Aziya has made substantial investments in elevating her live performances, gearing up for a series of tour dates and festival appearances in 2024, details of which will be announced soon.
B-ahwe
Over the last few months B-ahwe delighted fans by unveiling two captivating singles ‘Ride 2 Nowhere’, ‘Infected’ & most recently ‘PercentAge’. The singles garnered remarkable attention from press, radio, and playlist placements, leaving us eagerly anticipating her upcoming releases.
She released these with their accompanying music videos, setting the stage for the launch of their complete project, the '26% MIXTAPE,' which was released on November 15th.
Embarking on an autumn tour, she graced cities including Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol, and London.
Calva Louise
This year Calva Louise graced several festivals, including Riot Fest in Chicago, Arrecife en Vivo in Lanzarote, and Misery Loves Company in Bristol. In addition, they recorded a live session with Audiotree in Chicago, scheduled for release on January 18th.
In early October, supported by the Step Up Fund, the band embarked on their most ambitious music video project. Jess has been diligently crafting the footage with Unreal Engine and After Effects, producing an epic, cinematic music video that serves as a continuation of the Mixtape narrative. The band released mixtape 'Over The Threshold' on December 1st 2023, along with this video for the title track. They successfully sold out a limited edition Mixtape Vinyl Pre-order with Blood Records in the UK, and the band is gearing up to launch another limited edition Vinyl of the Mixtape with Romanus Records in the US.
Chalk
This year, Chalk embarked on a European Festival tour, captivating audiences across France, Belgium, Austria, the UK, and The Netherlands. Their journey gained momentum after delivering two unforgettable performances at the Reeperbahn Showcase Festival, propelling them to the forefront as one of the first 50 acts announced for Eurosonic 2023.
Setting a historic milestone, Chalk became the youngest act ever nominated for a remarkable four awards at the prestigious NI Music Prize. This esteemed event stands as Northern Ireland's premier celebration of homegrown talent. The band secured coveted spots on the shortlist for Best Single, Best Live Act, the Joe Cassidy Award, and the BBC Introducing ATL Artist of the Year categories. This recognition reflects Chalk's exceptional talent and solidifies their status as trailblazers in the music scene.
Declan Welsh and The Decadent West
have achieved significant milestones this year, marking a dynamic period for the band.
Notably, they unveiled their highly anticipated second album '2,' on October 27th. The release showcased their continued evolution and distinctive musical style. The band further solidified their presence on the live music scene by delivering a memorable performance at the renowned Transmit festival.
Wrapping up this period of notable accomplishments, Declan Welsh and The Decadent West successfully concluded an extensive tour across the UK and Europe, further establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with.
Graft
Graft unveiled their inaugural lead single, "Nostalgic Love," heralding the arrival of his much-anticipated EP. He showcased his talent at the illustrious PRS Presents: Hip Hop 50 event, commemorating 50 years of music and culture at the iconic Brixton Jamm.
In addition to his compelling performance, Graft have been immersed in several collaborative songwriting sessions alongside esteemed artists, making music for projects set to be released in 2024 and 2025. This marks an exciting upcoming chapter for Graft.
Jalen Ngonda
Jalen has had an exceptional year, gracing nearly 100 stages, which notably included his inaugural headline tour spanning the USA, Canada, UK, and Europe. Noteworthy sell-out performances at The Moth Club in June and Jazz Café in November underscored the growing demand for his music.
Anticipation continues to build as KOKO in London is already sold out for next April, following suit with the previously sold-out shows in Manchester, where an additional date was added to meet overwhelming demand.
Adding to his triumphs, Jalen's album, "Come Around and Love Me," has achieved impressive milestones since its release on September 8. The album has seen remarkable success with 4000 vinyl copies sold and a remarkable 12 million streams worldwide, attesting to the widespread appeal and resonance of his musical creations.
Nix Northwest
Nix Northwest recently completed a writing retreat at Migration Studios in the Cotswolds in late August. He described the experience as extraordinary, with the writing camp featuring Nix's entire band and some of his favorite artists, including Hilts and Jianbo.
The outcome of the retreat proved to be nothing short of remarkable. Nix, inspired by the creative environment, has produced numerous new songs and instrumentals that he eagerly anticipates developing further.
They recently started their membership at Thin White Duke, a recording studio in Soho, which Nix has found to be an incredible space. Collaborating with his friend Xadi, they've already conducted several sessions. Encouraged by their collaborative chemistry, Xadi and Nix have lined up additional sessions.
Tara Lily
Tara Lily has almost finished her debut album—a seamless fusion of jazz and electronica that encapsulates her musical voyage. Her latest release, 'Double Time’’ amassed an impressive 100,000-plus streams.
Tara Lily has secured an indie deal with the prestigious label Tru Thoughts, laying the foundation for the imminent release of her much-anticipated debut album. She also recently performed at the Artist & Manager Awards 2023.
Tara Lily recently unveiled 'You Can Go - King Krule remix Ft Jadasea,' a collaboration that not only showcases her versatility but also serves a noble cause. All proceeds from this release are dedicated to urgent relief for Palestinian children, underscoring Tara Lily's commitment to making a positive impact through her art.
As the calendar flips to 2024, we eagerly await her U.K. Tour in April, generously sponsored by Amazon.
TWST
Since being granted the Step Up fund, TWST has been on a whirlwind journey. She captivated a capacity crowd at The Grace in London with a sold-out headline show and unveiled her latest creation, TWST0002 (Off-World), on November 29th.
Notable publications such as Notion and Dazed have highlighted her distinctive talent, showcasing the widespread recognition she's quickly gaining. Notably, her single 'Catch Me' was chosen by BBC Football as the empowering soundtrack for the Welsh women's international football team's entrance onto the pitch.