In many British towns, including Northampton, diverse ethnic minority communities often remain underrepresented within mainstream infrastructures. Recognising this disparity, In Music In Media set out in 2014 to bridge these gaps through music, from school years through to adulthood. Drawing on the personal successes and unconventional career paths of its team members, the organisation focused on music genres that, while influential in popular culture, were noticeably absent from standard educational curriculums particularly genres of Black origin, such as Hip Hop, Grime, Reggae, Dancehall, Drum & Bass, and EDM, along with related skills like digital music production, rapping and DJing.

The early phase of this work involved bringing mobile workshops directly into schools, showcasing these musical styles and demonstrating their educational and cultural value. In 2018, backed by funding from Youth Music, the programme evolved into Musically Unorthodox (MU), guiding students on a journey of acquiring creative skills and exploring practical ways to use them for educational and career advancement.

The impact was significant: students across the board gained new skills not typically available in mainstream education. Those thriving in traditional settings benefited from fresh, creative approaches, while students at risk of exclusion discovered alternative pathways that helped level the playing field.

Building on the inclusivity of the programme, In Music In Media introduced flexible delivery methods such as virtual workshops for rural areas or those anxious in large groups and specialised interventions for students on the verge of permanent exclusion or within the justice system.

Through additional rounds of funding from Youth Music, the Community Lottery Fund, and Northampton Community Foundation, the organisation was able to establish its own facility, The MU Creative Space, to host these programmes and have a base to run outreach programmes from.

Having identified the young people most in need and developed curricula to support them, the next step is building long-term structures and pathways for their continued growth and success. The MU Conference is our latest initiative designed to catalyse and sustain this development!

We look forward to collaborating with other stakeholders who share our passion for creating meaningful infrastructures that truly support these communities now and for the future.

Daniel ‘HD’ Johnson

Founder