Shaping Music Futures
Universal Production Music and PRS Foundation Present: Futures
Universal Production Music UK is proud to announce its partnership with the PRS Foundation to launch ‘Futures,’ a new initiative that supports music creators with grants, workshops, networking, and career development.
The partnership aims to promote diversity among production music creators, especially those from underrepresented groups. It will leverage PRS Foundation’s existing initiatives such as Women Make Music, Classical:Next, and POWER UP, as well as regional support through the PPL Momentum Music Fund.
Throughout the process, music creators will have access to grant funding, mentorships and workshops from Universal Production Music UK’s production and marketing teams. Over the six months, each creator will work on two album projects, with the potential for continued collaboration with Universal Production Music’s roster.
Together, Universal Production Music and the PRS Foundation aim to break down industry barriers related to gender, race, socioeconomic background, and foster a more inclusive environment.
The partnership aims to promote diversity among production music creators, especially those from underrepresented groups. It will leverage PRS Foundation’s existing initiatives such as Women Make Music, Classical:Next, and POWER UP, as well as regional support through the PPL Momentum Music Fund.
Throughout the process, music creators will have access to grant funding, mentorships and workshops from Universal Production Music UK’s production and marketing teams. Over the six months, each creator will work on two album projects, with the potential for continued collaboration with Universal Production Music’s roster.
Together, Universal Production Music and the PRS Foundation aim to break down industry barriers related to gender, race, socioeconomic background, and foster a more inclusive environment.
Meet The First Futures Cohort
TEE
TEE is a UK-based musician and producer known for his soulful, genre-spanning sound. Since 2016, he has worked with artists including Little Simz, Ghetts, Sampa the Great, and Young T & Bugsey, while also releasing his own music. His productions have earned over 2.5 million Spotify streams and support from BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, and BBC Introducing, where he was named Song of the Week. He also co-produced “Hallelujah” from the Mercury Prize-nominated album On Purpose, With Purpose.
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Lara Simpson
Lara is a composer and violinist specialising in film, TV, and commercial music. A Berklee Valencia graduate, she has also trained with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s Film Composers’ Lab, mentored by John Lunn. Alongside scoring projects including My Little Blue Heart, she has worked as a session player and arranger with artists such as Kygo, Nile Rodgers, and The Wombats, performing at major venues including the O2 Arena and Abbey Road Studios.
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Yaatri
Yaatri is the artist project of London-based guitarist, composer and producer Liam DeTar. Drawing on his Indian, American and British heritage, Yaatri blends jazz, Indian classical influences and contemporary production to create music rooted in cultural identity and global connection. Supported by BBC Radio, Jazz FM and Rolling Stone India, Liam has performed at venues and festivals including Montreux Jazz Festival, Oslo Jazz Festival and London’s Jazz Café. Alongside his artist work, he composes production music and sync-focused projects, combining cinematic guitars, rich textures and melodic storytelling to create emotionally resonant music that bridges cultures and genres. Check out music from Yaatri on Spotify.
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Tusks
Tusks is the project of Hastings-born, London-based musician and producer Emily Underhill. Blending electronic and atmospheric pop, her work has drawn comparisons to Sigur Rós and Daughter, earning support from BBC Radio 1, 6 Music, and outlets including Rolling Stone and Billboard. Her music has also featured in major TV syncs such as Netflix’s 13 Reasons Why. Following her third album, Gold (2024), Tusks continues to craft emotionally rich, synth-driven soundscapes defined by layered vocals and cinematic production. Check out music from Tusks on Spotify.
About PRS Foundation
PRS Foundation is the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music, investing over £50 million in more than 9,000 projects since 2000. Supporting artists across all genres and backgrounds, its grantees include Mercury Prize, BRIT, Ivor Novello and AIM award winners such as Little Simz, Dave, Wolf Alice and Ezra Collective.
Alongside direct funding, PRS Foundation champions inclusive initiatives like Women Make Music, Keychange and POWER UP, helping to shape a more diverse and sustainable music industry.
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