Licensing giant PPL PRS has given its backing to an independent music business which helps young people learn the art of making music.
The music licensing business is working with Leicester’s HQ CAN to expand the mentoring and support it offers. HQ was set up by former Leicester Mercury business executive of the year Yasin El Ashrafi to offer workshop, professional recording equipment and support to young people going through unemployment and mental health issues.
The support from PPL PRS – which is also based in Leicester – will ensure that young people who enjoy creating music can continue to access all the facilities that are provided by the team at HQ.
The partnership will also see the pair work together on events such as Brew Beat, a beer and music festival planned for September in the city centre. On top of that PPL PRS help HQ offer part-time roles to music creators along with studio time and visits from PPL PRS employees.
The licensing body, which collects revenues from businesses that play music for their staff and customers, will also help HQ with funding bids and support events for musicians to learn how to make money from their music. And they will work together to create case studies to showcase Leicester’s exciting and diverse music scene.
Mr El Ashrafi – who also manages nine artists through his HQ Familia record label – said: “I’m ecstatic to have formalised this partnership with HQ & PPL PRS.
“To be able to facilitate creatives into part-time work with flexible working hours is a game changer, this will help us to enable them to follow their dreams of a career in the music or creative industry whilst earning a wage in a great environment which is also only a few minutes from our creative hub.
“We have a lot of exciting things planned and this is the start of something special for Leicester.”
PPL PRS managing director Andrea Gray said: “We have been following the HQ journey for the last few years, and the work that Yasin and his team do with the young people of Leicester is fantastic.
“Obviously being able to offer some part-time roles to local young people, which also allows them time to continue making music, is a real reflection of some of our core principles of collaboration and valuing music.
“We have a number of music artists working here at PPL PRS, and creating this partnership with HQ will be a great opportunity for them to access studio time and production facilities.
“We are excited to work with Yasin, and continue to showcase the amazing talent we have here in Leicester.”
