Shropshire Star

Birmingham rapper Lady Sanity picks up award at inaugural Drake YolanDa Awards

A rapper from Birmingham has been named one of the winners of the inaugural Drake YolanDa Awards.

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Lady Sanity

Lady Sanity, a 23-year-old musician from the city, received the accolade on Tuesday alongside the likes of two time MOBO winner and anti-knife crime activist Guvna B and Paul McCartney endorsed country duo Worry Dolls.

The 10 winners of the 2019 prize were selected from more than 200 entries to the new prize by a stellar panel of industry judges including celebrity choir master Gareth Malone OBE, music editor of The Independent Roisin O’Connor, X Factor winner Matt Cardle, Ben Earle from UK country band The Shires. The ceremony was also chaired by award co-founder YolanDa Brown.

The award ceremony was also attended by Wolverhampton music icon Beverley Knight.

Beverley Knight at the awards ceremony

A total sum of £30,000 was awarded to 10 emerging artists working across music genres ranging from hip hop to funk, folk, country, jazz and indie, receiving £3,000 each.

Talking about the ceremony, YolanDa said: “It was an absolute pleasure meeting the 10 winning acts for the 2019 Drake YolanDa Award.

"There is so much amazing music in the world and the mainstream acts signed to major labels tend to dominate the airwaves and column inches.

"We are committed to help put a spotlight on as many of these amazing emerging acts as possible.”

YolanDa Brown

Gareth Malone OBE, celebrity choir master: “The standard of artistry was high and a fantastic diverse selection of musicians.

"It is so important to help the next generation of artists to find their feet in a challenging industry.”

Roisin O’Connor, music editor of The Independent and award judge: “The Drake YolanDa award couldn't be more timely.

"New musical talent needs support more than ever, so a prize that offers funding to not one, but ten emerging acts is an exciting and worthwhile endeavour.

"It was an honour to be invited to judge the artists and watch them perform, and it was wonderful to see such a diverse range of talent on display."

Lady Sanity works across a number of influences ranging from 90s hip hop to jazz, trap and grime.

Her most recent credits include performing one of her latest self produced singles at the Commonwealth Games in Australia on behalf of her home city of Birmingham and she has won series of awards such as The Urban Music Award's One To Watch Artist 2018.

Welcoming artists from all backgrounds and musical genres ranging between ages 16 to 30, the music prize was founded this year by the two time MOBO winner and broadcaster YolanDa Brown and the philanthropist James Drake to support the careers of young artists in the UK and to break the glass ceiling in the music industry.

By providing financial support to struggling artists, the award wants to provide the winners with the means to spend on touring, marketing, recording or other ways to further their careers.