Speakers
Hosts
Shniece Mcmenamin
Shniece is a singer-songwriter, session vocalist, and dynamic performer. A decade with Drizabone Soul Family saw her support Chaka Khan, Chic, and others. She later created 30-plus vocal sample packs, collaborated with Prince Fatty, Mungo’s HiFi, and more, and released 2020 EP “Disco Deception,” spawning million- stream single “Black Rabbit.”
Daniel HD Johnson
Daniel is the founder of Musically Unorthodox and In Music In Media organisation. He is also a DJ/Producer, music artist, educator, and black music culture specialist. Earning his first radio slot aged 11 his musical journey has taken him to various countries working with internationally acclaimed artists, and layed the foundations for his music studies on Reggae, Sound System and the related cultures.
Chris Cooke
Chris is the co-founder and MD of CMU, a company that helps people navigate and understand the music business through media, consultancy and training. He wrote the acclaimed ‘Dissecting The Digital Dollar’ book and ‘Music Copyright Explained’ guide. His wider business UnLimited Media also publishes ThisWeek Culture and ThreeWeeks Edinburgh.
Ashley Samuels-Mckenzie
Ashley is a Musician, video producer, and community builder dedicated to storytelling and empowering youth. Founder of the podcast ‘How I Became’, which showcases the unscripted stories of inspirational leaders. His work encompasses music, video workshops, media training, and development programs to foster growth, creativity, and positive social impact.
Speakers
Maxwell d
Maxwell D is a course facilitator, mentor and the son of Choice FM ‘DJ Natty B’. Maxwell broke UK garage with debut single “Serious” (#38). Co‑founder of ‘Pay As You Go Cartel’, he scored a UK top 13 hit “Champagne Dance,” collaborated with Ludacris on “Southern Hospitality,” and placed music in films like Ted and Fast & Furious 5, guiding new artists today through songwriting and industry expertise.
Wizdom
Wizdom is an ex-member of UK Hip Hop group GreenJade, spent 17 years performing before leading youth arts at XLP, launching ELAM School in East London’ and the ‘Big Music Project / Music Potential’. He founded We Are Impact to connect creative education with careers, co-directs Sound Connections, relaunched MOBO UnSung, and manages rising Rock/ Drill artist Crae Wolf.
Denise Stanley
Denise champions project- based and non-formal learning across creative industries. She’s designed university curricula, advised government bodies, and consulted globally. Her ‘TULIP Peer2Peer Learning’ delivers ‘CLOCK’, an innovative international programme validating practitioners’ prior learning via peer mentoring and digital credentials, turning professional action into recognised knowledge and fostering experiential education.
Lyle Bignon
Lyle is a UK‑European music, media and night‑time economy consultant with 15 years’ experience advocating for Birmingham’s scene. NTIA’s NTE Ambassador, he founded Birmingham Music Coalition in 2014, securing investment and support. He has delivered genre‑spanning events and campaigns with major artists, venues, funders and community stakeholders across the Midlands region.
DREADZ
Dreadz is a Tottenham‑born, Northampton‑based artist Dreadz fuses Caribbean roots and UK grime into a ying‑yang style of potent vocals, agile lyrics and shifting flows. After singles “Pretty N Cute,” “Back n Motion” and “Wavey Again,” he runs monthly “Dready Jamz” showcases, manages A&R at ChopLifeMusic, and readies multiple releases for UK platforms.
CONNOR ‘AON’ OSBORN
Connor is a Northamptonshire DJ and BBC Radio presenter specialising in bass- driven Drum & Bass. Performing across UK and Europe for a decade, he’s held residencies with Random Concept and Pure Science, played major venues and festivals, known for high energy sets. In 2025 he launched ‘murmur’, with its launch event sold out 4 weeks in advance.
LEON DENTON
Leon is the CEO of award-winning ‘Lay It Down’, a 2017‑launched platform nurturing emerging talent via weekly radio s hows and monthly events. He curated acts for ITV’s ‘Don’t Hate the Playaz’, hosts a third‑year stage at NMFestival, and has delivered 100‑plus artists across festivals, Knife Angel and Wallgames projects, graffiti installations, Roadmender after‑parties, boosting Northampton’s creative cultural scene vibrantly.
BIGGOSS
Biggoss is the self‑certified music fiend who energised UK dancefloors for a decade after leaving Bassline production for DJing. Driven by crowds, he champions UK Hip‑Hop, R&B and Grime worldwide, spinning sets from Amsterdam to Atlanta. He engineers, promotes, manages, founded Producer Exchange, and runs ‘Made In Brum Studios’ plus publishing arm ‘Syncd:in’.
ANTON NOBLE
Coventry-born Anton, once involved in local gangs, now leads as founder and Programme Manager of ‘Guiding Young Minds’. An award‑winning urban specialist on gang culture and serious youth violence, he mentors youth nationally, mediates conflicts as a Gang Exit Strategist, inspires audiences, and is also qualified as an expert witness to the courts.
VERONICA MAE
Veronica Mae is a former elite athlete who became paraplegic after a devastating injury, yet reinvented herself as a celebrated pageant queen and globe‑ trotting motivational speaker. Her journey exemplifies resilience, urging audiences to embrace individuality, defy limitations and pursue unconventional paths to success, proving profound adversity can forge extraordinary triumphs for all everywhere.
MORRIS THE CONNECTOR
The once involved in a life of criminality Morris, transformed his life and now runs his own high‑profile chauffeur company, driving CEOs, bankers and global pop stars. His transformation is a true testimony and he now champions disadvaged youth through his charitable organisation, sharing his story to prove positive change. and purpose can emerge from adversity.
JAY BAUGHAN
Jay is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, chairs Jaysco Holdings on three continents as entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist. Co‑founder of the ‘Pluggin Ecosystem’, he devised the ‘Dual Impact Collaboration Model’ to embed social value in public procurement, after 35 years leading tech‑enabled solutions in logistics and socioeconomic development worldwide.
SIMON STEPTOE
Simon is a classically trained musician and composer with a background in electroacoustic music and Javanese gamelan. As a qualified teacher, he has led music education and community projects across the UK. He now holds leadership roles at Deep Roots Tall Trees Choir and Northamptonshire Music and Performing Arts Trust (NMPAT), the lead organisation for the Northamptonshire and Rutland Music Hub.
Shaw trust
Shaw Trust is an employment charity, annually supports thousands of young people. Its advisers in schools and community venues offer 16‑18s plus up to 25s with EHCPs careers information, guidance, and CV help. Holding the local authority NEET contract, it runs countywide drop‑ins linking youth to apprenticeships, training, jobs and supportive professional networks.
Olivia dams
Olivia Dams Senior Youth Engagement and Careers Lead at Youth Employment UK, applies almost ten years’ guidance experience. The 2012 ‑founded non- profit social enterprise specialises in youth employment issues, offering vast free resources. It supports young people, employers and policymakers, equipping youth with skills, career tools and confidence to fulfil potential.
Chris Robinson (CDR)
UK electronic producer, performer and lecturer Chris “CDR” Robinson crafts cutting-edge production music for film, television, and digital media, while teaching music production at Northampton College. He drums for tribute acts ‘The Absolute Stone Roses’ and ‘The Madchester Experience’ and runs events company ‘Manchester in the Area’.
M U Project
Contact
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44 (0) 7762 545 275
