WOMADelaide and Northern Sound System (NSS) are pleased to announce the five young and emerging artists selected for the fifth edition of its exciting music development and training program, the WOMADelaide x NSS Academy.

The selected artists are Sri Lankan R&B/pop singer and keyboard player Meena De Silva, Burmese-Chinese genre bending vocalist Sandra Gan, proud Eastern Arrernte (First Nations) rapper Bousta, Nigerian Afrobeats hitmaker Bidemi and Shukurani, a soulful singer born in Tanzania with Burundian roots. 

Over the next eight months, the artists will benefit from a series of workshops and activities designed to enhance their skills and industry knowledge, culminating in the opportunity to perform at the next WOMADelaide festival, to be held 7-10 March 2025 in Adelaide’s Botanic Park. 

The first Academy workshop took place over the weekend of 12 July with Western Sydney-based Maori R&B/hip-hop artist A.GIRL, who performed at WOMADelaide 2024. The workshop was focused on the Artist Voice, with conversations revolving around the experience of being an artist in today's music industry climate. The second day of the workshop saw three songwriting rooms take place with the support of local music producers David Turley, Kirby and Harley J.

Nine Academy graduates have featured in the WOMADelaide festival since the Academy’s inception in 2020. The Academy provides a strong foundation and launchpad for young and emerging First Nations and Culturally Diverse artists.  Real world pathways have been created for its graduates, some of whom have graced international stages. 

DEM MOB, an Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjantjara (APY) Lands hip-hop group from the 2022 Academy, recently performed at New York's ‘Summer In The City' and Elsy Wameyo - who performed at WOMADelaide 2022 and was named 2022 J Award Unearthed Artist of the Year - is about to embark on a UK/Europe tour and release her debut album. 2023 Academy alumni Sofia Menguita recently completed her first national tour to celebrate the launch of her Growing Pains EP. 

WOMADelaide Director Ian Scobie said: “It’s always a thrill to see the diversity and talent of young artists hone their skills and talents through the WOMADelaide x NSS Academy. We’ve had some amazing artists flourish through the academy and go on to great success. I’m excited to see what opportunities are created for this year’s artists.”

Project Coordinator Bianca Nilsson said: “I am feeling extremely grateful to be on board with the Academy for another year. I am looking forward to working with this beautiful cohort of talented artists and looking forward to playing a part in how they grow and prosper in the next few months under the guidance of experienced Academy mentors."  

The WOMADelaide x NSS Academy is an artist development initiative and WOMADelaide Foundation project receiving assistance from the Government of South Australia, the City of Playford, Northern Sound System (NSS) and supported by Foodland. 

For more images or further information please contact Bianca Nilsson.