Member Article

North East music entrepreneur backs London grime music label

North East entrepreneur Richard Upshall has made another six-figure investment in a music business, just weeks after investing in Teesside artist management startup Phresh Creative.

Investing in London-based Creating Monsters Ltd, a production, management and artist development label, Richard says the move complements his existing activities in the industry through his own recording label RU Listening.

In addition to managing artists such as Alice Olivia, DJ Ironik, Scorcher and new production group Designer Doubt, Creating Monsters also own the rights to Grime Live, which brings together the UK’s best Grime and Urban acts performing live under one roof.

The event has previously been held at The 02 arena and featured performances from some of the biggest Grime artists such as Giggs, Devlin, AJ Tracey, Big Narstie, Ghetts, Fekky and Scorcher.

Grime Live III will take place towards the end of 2017, as will its first international show which is heading to the Middle East for the first Dubai takeover.

Richard, who will become chairman of the London-based company, will be working alongside Creating Monsters Ltd’s MD Matthew Haynes who previously worked at RU Listening.

Richard said: “Grime is definitely having its moment and making its way into the mainstream, so I couldn’t think of a better time to get involved with a project like this.

“With a combination of my entrepreneurial experience and passion for music, together with Matthew’s impressive industry expertise, I’m sure that Creating Monsters has a very promising and exciting future.”

Matthew Haynes added: “Richard’s investment is part of a huge development for the company, which comes at an exciting time for British music.

“With Richard’s involvement and financial backing, people can expect a lot of big releases from us in the future, as well as the exciting prospect of taking Grime Live to international territories, which will help us bring some of the most talented mcs and rappers in the world to new audiences.”