01.04.2025: UK Music’s Courtney Wallace and artist Shao Dow toured a range of schools in the East Midlands with the aim of inspiring and educating young people about the music industry. The tour started on March 3 and ran until March 27 under the project funded by Arts Council England. 

Shao Dow addressing the class at Djanogly City Academy

Shao Dow is a rapper, manga author, and music entrepreneur, who has built his career up over a span of 17 years, and now tours internationally – to countries such as Nigeria, USA, Japan, and The Netherlands. His music has been featured on BBC’s “Borders”, and he has collaborated with names such as Tech N9ne and Maile Flanagan.

Covering 12 schools over seven days, each institution received a performance from Shao Dow and a workshop, where the students were able to ask questions about the rapper’s career and his experiences with the industry.

Partnering with Music Education Hubs East Midlands (MEHEM), the duo travelled to Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, and Northamptonshire/Rutlands, to talk to students, working closely with the area’s local hub representatives, visiting two schools a day on average.

Due to Shao Dow’s links with games such as Fortnite and God of War, the students really resonated with the music, and cheerfully participated in the choruses.

Shao Dow performs for students at University Academy Holbeach

Feedback was received from staff and parents alike, showcasing the amazing responses to the project:

“My daughter is a year 10 music student here, and she absolutely loved meeting you today and seeing you perform. She has been a little wobbly recently over her music GCSE and lost her passion a little since her last performance in December, but since coming home from school she’s been singing again and seems to have gotten her spark back. She said it was really interesting and she really enjoyed it – thank you! What a wonderful initiative!”

The tour included both primary schools and secondary school students, some of which were considering their GCSE options.

As well as an engaging performance, Shao Dow was very open and honest about his journey as an artist through the workshop element.

He touched on the time and effort it takes to build up a career in the industry, and signposted students to UK Music’s resources, giving our members a mention. He spoke about the value of PRS for Music, PPL, and AIM, as the winner of several AIM awards:

Best Live Performer Award Nominated – AIM Independent Music Awards 2022
Hardest Working Artist Award Winner  –  AIM Independent Music Awards 2017
Music Artist Of The Year Award Winner –  AME Awards 2017

Shao Dow discussing the power of music at Whittington Green School

We hope that this tour has been as incredible for the staff and students as it has been for UK Music, giving real insight into how such a project can inspire generations of people.