A collaboration set to shake up the city’s youth-driven D&B landscape, UKF and RIOT Noise have partnered with the Young Urban Arts Foundation (YUAF) to present ‘The DROP Drum & Bass Takeover’ taking place between 2PM-8PM on 29th and 30th October at Greenwich Peninsula. This innovative event aims to empower young Londoners through exclusive workshops led by top industry professionals, showcasing the transformative power of music and creativity.
The two-day event will feature workshops in music production, radio presenting, topline writing and DJ workshops, delivered on YUAF’s state-of-the-art double-decker outreach media bus. Young creatives aged 16-25 will have the opportunity to learn from acclaimed artists including BBC Radio 1’s Charlie Tee, Anaïs, Jackum, Shosh, and Subten.

Born in 2009 from the vision of Indigo Reign, one of the first female Drum & Bass MCs, YUAF has since touched over 22,000 young lives across the capital and is known for delivering empowering and creative outreach workshops. The charity targets hard to reach areas where young people don’t have access to opportunities and are at high risk of child exploitation or becoming a victim of crime. In a city where youth funding has been slashed, its work is a vital lifeline bringing hope and inspiration into communities starved of opportunity.

Day to day, the charity’s team of producers, songwriters, lyricists, and visual artists hit the streets, estates, and schools, delivering beat-making workshops going on to connect young creatives with training and work experiences in an often impenetrable job market.

Indigo Reign (Kerry O’Brien), Founder of YUAF expresses, “Drum & Bass was my lifeline growing up, so for my charity to partner with UKF, RIOT Noise and the UK’s leading DJs and producers on this event, to raise awareness, give back and empower more young people together is a very powerful thing. We all understand the power of music and creativity and the ability to create safe havens, increase well-being and change lives. I’m so excited to see what amazing things we can achieve together, and a huge thank you to every single person who will contribute and has brought this magical event together”

UKF is the home of bass music, has been at the forefront of beats and bass to a global audience for 15 years and will be celebrating at the mighty Drumsheds in December and have handpicked artists from their lineup who are giving their time to give back.

Luke Hood, founder of UKF says, “We’re thrilled to be working with YUAF on their mission to empower the lives of young people by collaborating on a special two days of programming on their bus, to help discover and bring through the next generation of bass music fans.”

Nicky Maciocia, founder of RIOT Noise says “At RIOT Noise, we believe in the power of music transforming lives. We are humbled to be partnering with the Young Urban Arts Foundation and UKF as part of our commitment to empower the next generation of artists. Together, we’re equipping young people with the skills to produce music and DJ, fostering creativity and self-expression in urban communities.”

Laura Flanagan, Marketing Director at Greenwich Peninsula adds, “We are delighted to support YUAF’s mission to enrich young lives through music, arts, and creativity. Our past collaborations with YUAF have been incredibly rewarding, and we’re excited to offer new opportunities to young people on Greenwich Peninsula and across London.”