The Real Fame Academy

15 September 2003

The Royal Borough Special Projects Team has produced yet another Music Of Black Origin (MOBO) Award Winner. J'Nay has won the MOBO Unsung Award for best-unrecognised artist and will be presented with his award at the Albert Hall on September 25 where he will perform live.

J'Nay won his award after two months of gruelling auditioning, seeing off thousands of young hopefuls from across the UK. His distinctive voice, compared to the likes of Marvin Gaye and Barry White, stood out when he sung his self-penned song called 'Soul Glo'.

J'Nay has come through the Royal Borough's Special Project Team. Running for over 10 years, the team is designed to nurture and channel creativity from young people in the community. The team is staffed by industry professionals and seeks to prepare students for further education or a career in visual or performing arts. They offer guidance on performing and visual arts from drama, dance and music to creative writing and painting.

The team specialises in music and has produced a very impressive list of success stories including: Terri Walker, (Mercury Music Prize and Music of Black Origin (MOBO) Nominee 2003) Misteeq (MOBO Award Winners), Another Level, (MOBO Award Winners) Blessed Voices (Channel 4 Gospel Award Winners) and Ekklesia (GMTV Gospel Award Winners).

N'Jay's mentor and Special Projects Musical Director, Stephen Cole said: "J'Nay is the latest nu-soul kid on the block. I am delighted to see him rewarded for his years of hard work. He really is talented.

He continued: "The UK music industry is slowly waking up, believing and investing in the explosion of young urban talent who are producing "real music" as opposed to the hype of the "Fame Academy types".

Notes for Editors: On Offer…. Interviews with J'Nay, Stephen Cole and Ian Comfort, Director of Community Education.

For further information contact Media and Communications.