RICHARD ANTWI SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCES 2021 SCHOLAR - FUTURE INDUSTRY LEADER SHANICE EDWARDS RECEIVES AWARD

INDUSTRY CHAMPIONS WRETCH 32 AND TAPONESWA MAVUNGA CONGRATULATE THE NEW SCHOLAR.

The Richard Antwi Scholarship, in conjunction with the University of Westminster, is proud toannounce that its 2021 recipient will be Shanice Edwards, who will be awarded a full scholarship for a place on the university’s prestigious Music Business Management MA course. 

Every time the Richard Antwi Scholarship opens, it has received a greater number of high calibre applicants from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. This year, following a hiatus in 2020, after an extremely competitive round of applications, Shanice Edwards has been named the third recipient of the award, which aims to provide and support pathways into the industry and enable each exceptional recipient to fulfil their aspirations in the music industry. 

Shanice Edwards is a Music Business and Arts Management Graduate, who began studying music at Birmingham’s first performing arts academy BOA. Rising from humble beginnings, she is a first-generation graduate from an extremely proud family of Caribbean heritage. She has been driven in developing her understanding of the music industry academically and has gained experience through both independent projects and voluntary work. Shanice is passionate about new artists, music creation and giving opportunities to talent and is focused on a career in the A&R field of the music industry. 

The highly regarded Richard Antwi Scholarship award comprises full course fees; a full bursary of £10,400; mentorship from the RAS Team, and professional executive coaching to support the recipient’s career pathway via work placements and networking aligned with their professional focus, skills and aspirations. 

Commenting on the announcement of the new scholar, Wretch 32 (artist, 0207 Def Jam Creative Director) said: “Congratulations Shanice, I hope you’re happy, geared up and ready to embark on this journey, and of course I’m sure we’re gonna cross paths in the future. You’re in great hands, the hands that make light work. Richard would be proud.”

Taponeswa Mavunga (Director of Africa Sony Music UK) added (draft): “Huge congratulations to Shanice on her achievement! It’s no mean feat, because by all accounts the team received a high quality of applications, so it’s a testament to Shanice’s talent and passion, qualities that Richard’s legacy continues to inspire! I look forward to seeing Shanice progress and I look forward to getting the chance to meet.”

The Richard Antwi Scholarship was founded in 2016 by friends and family, as a response to the sudden death of hugely respected industry lawyer, manager and entrepreneur, Richard Antwi, who had contributed to the Music Business Management MA course on numerous occasions as a guest lecturer.   It is an annual award, which found its first scholar in 2018. The scholarship is now funded by all three UK major record labels, music publishers, and several of the top independent music companies and music law firms: Sony Music UK, Universal Music Group, Warner Music UK, Sony Music Publishing, XL Records, Beggars Group, Young, Clintons, Hoare Associates and Modest! Management.

The University of Westminster Music Business Management MA course acts as a bridge between academic study, research, and the professional world of music business; preparing students to become the next generation of music industry leaders and entrepreneurs.  Previous scholars include inaugural recipient Jojo Mukeza, Esther Bokuma and Daniel Beckley (Associate Scholar), all of whom are now placed within the industry. 

Phillip Antwi said “Huge congratulations to Shanice on her achievement as the new Richard Antwi Scholar. She hugely impressed us with her application and we are so proud to shine the light on her exceptional talent. Richard has left a lasting and important legacy and it feels good to continue the great work to give access and opportunity for another future music industry leader.”

Shanice Edwards said “I feel so blessed and grateful to have been awarded the Richard Antwi Scholarship, the access to support I will have and the chance to connect with Richard’s close friends and family is such an amazing opportunity. To already have the organisation believe in me feels so powerful and I can’t wait to get started! I never met Richard, but I can feel how much he meant to so many, and I am already so thankful to him.”

Notes to Editors:

About The Richard Antwi Scholarship team – The scholarship is an annual award, with the exception of a hiatus year in 2020. It is run by a team who work on a voluntary basis: Dora Addei, Phillip Antwi, Will Bloomfield (Modest!), Sally Anne Gross (Course Director, Music Business Management MA, University Of Westminster), Paul Heard (musician, composer), Richard Hoare (Hoare Associates), Matt Ross (sent.tv). The team has committed to preserving the legacy of Richard’s kindness, strength and compassion, and the discipline with which he marked his life’s work. 

About Richard Antwi - Richard was a much-loved and widely respected music manager, lawyer and entrepreneur. Always ahead of the curve with sharp instincts, great ears… and a handsome smile! As Carl Fysh succinctly put it ‘Richard was quietly at the centre of everything’. Of Ghanaian heritage, Richard’s back story was written in North West London, progressing from a state comprehensive to study law at Oxford University, before embarking on a successful career which saw him play pivotal roles in the ascendance of many of the artists and executives currently making moves and running major organisations in the UK. The breadth of Richard’s support for others became abundantly clear when he passed so suddenly in 2016. The affection and respect in which he was held by so many people across the music industry and beyond, manifested in a desire to channel this goodwill and honour him in a way that captures and continues his legacy.

With thanks to scholarship funders: Sony Music UK, Universal Music Group, Warner Music UK, Sony Music Publishing, XL Records, Beggars Group, Young, Clintons, Hoare Associates, Modest! Management and Simon Stanley.

For further details contact Indy Vidyalankara / indy@indypendentpr.com / 07881 822571