Rapper and grime artist Reepa helped young people in the city in October last year
Aspiring musicians in Wolverhampton will be able to get help from industry experts to develop their skills thanks to a £30,000 grant.
The Road2Release project at Wolverhampton Art Gallery first ran for a week in October with local grime artist Reepa.
It has since been extended for six weeks with three groups across the year to offer more in-depth support for under 25s.
The funding from the Youth Music aims to "support projects that trial new ways of working, sustain grassroots programmes, or disrupt the status quo", the city council said.
Participants will gain access to music industry experts and hands-on experience in a professional setting as well as paid opportunities to develop and showcase their skills, said charity Youth Music, which helps marginalised young people to make and monetise music.
The programme was set up to nurture local talent and "reimagines the role that museums and galleries can play in supporting the music industry," a spokesperson added.
Councillor Chris Burden, cabinet member for city development, jobs and skills at Wolverhampton City Council, said they were "thrilled" to receive the funding.
"This initiative is a testament to our commitment to nurturing young talent and providing them with the resources and opportunities to thrive in the music industry," he said.
"By partnering with local artists like Reepa, we are creating a vibrant, supportive environment where emerging musicians can connect, learn, and grow.
"This project not only enriches our community but also empowers our young people to pursue their passions and build successful careers in music."
Last summer the grime artist wrote a visual love letter paying homage to his home city of Wolverhampton to show people "the pride I have for our community, for our people".
Tell us which stories we should cover in Wolverhampton
Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, external, X, external and Instagram, external.
Music festival set to arrive in Wolverhampton
Rapper pens love letter to shine light on home city
Young musicians get bigger stage after £10k donation
Music course aims to support young men
Youth Music Trailblazer Fund
Wolverhampton club’s licence to be reviewed over after hours alcohol sales
Sport Wolverhampton train worker is on track for London Marathon charity run
West Midlands train commuters can earn almost £11k in side hustles
Birmingham 'snubbed' in list of best areas to start a UK business
Woman wanted on recall to prison arrested as police probe multiple shop thefts
Homes approved next to M5 despite pollution ‘cancer risk’
'Our daughters will be with us', say dads of Southport victims running London Marathon
Trump criticises Zelensky as Ukraine refuses Russian control of Crimea
Flintoff 'thought he had died' in Top Gear crash
'We'll do Paddington proud' – Tom Fletcher reveals details of musical
'Crimea is lost' and Reeves 'ready to cut tariffs'
Anti-Hamas protests on rise in Gaza as group's iron grip slips
Why South Africa and Ukraine are wooing each other – and what will Trump think?
Five cards China holds in a trade war with the US
The church Pope Francis kept returning to – and chose as his final resting place
What is Doge and why is Musk stepping back?
Lola Young leads nominations for top songwriting awards
Royal Watch: Get the latest royal stories and analysis with Sean Coughlan’s weekly newsletter
The Doctor and Belinda embark on an intergalactic journey home
The nightly lives of four bickering vampires
José Mourinho: 'To win the Champions League is to be immortal'
New darkly comic drama set in Birmingham
Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.
Musical talent in Wolverhampton nurtured through £30,000 project – BBC
