Madi Saskia x Mahalia In Collaboration With Dr. Martens Place The Spotlight On Talent Outside London

Creating access has always been a discussion point when talking to creatives about the creative industry and music industry. We’ve often seen artists and creatives from the capital and surrounding cities celebrated but the long-term growth of the music industry will 100% rely on our ability to be able to create opportunities for cultural catalysts outside of the capital, as well as the ones inside it - and creating opportunities is what a brand like Dr. Martens is known for.

They recently teamed up with Birmingham’s hottest new soul artist Mahalia and Birmingham-based soul singer, Madi Saski to announce the launch of a new development programme for musicians from the West Midlands. Developed as a part of the Dr. Martens Tough As You initiative, the “I AM ME” Development Programme offered emerging artists a series of workshops to empower them with the self-confidence, media know-how and promotional skills needed to succeed in the music industry, no matter where you come from.

We sat down with Mahalia, and Madi Saskia to talk about the “I AM ME” Development Programme and how important it is for artists outside the M25 to be seen, as well as how integral Dr. Martens have been in shining a light on artists from outside of London.

WORDS - Efosa Idubor-Williams

DIRECTOR/EDITOR - Derrick Odafi

CREATIVE PROJECTS MANAGER - Efosa Idubor-Williams

VOICEOVER - Mahalia

INTERVIEWER - Jimi Allii

In Collaboration with Dr. Martens