BBC Radio 1 launches Annie Nightingale Scholarship for emerging DJs

BBC Radio 1 has launched the Annie Nightingale Presents Scholarship, a brand-new initiative designed to champion up-and-coming women and non-binary DJs in the Dance scene.

The Scholarship aims to celebrate and elevate talented women and non-binary people in the electronic music scene by providing them with a national platform to showcase their taste and expertise.

Each year Annie will highlight three DJs she feels are deserving of recognition for their work.

Those selected will go on to appear in a special edition of Annie Nightingale Presents on Radio 1.

The inaugural recipients are:

Martha

Martha is a DJ and broadcaster from South London with roots in community radio and documentary making. Each of Martha’s thoughtfully curated radio shows navigate the fringes of electronic music, with a clear narrative that is grounded in community and storytelling.

Martha says: “I’ve learnt most of what I know about presenting and interviewing from listening to Annie Nightingale so it’s an absolute honour to be part of Annie’s very first scholarship. I am truly excited to bring music from the fringes of the electronic music spaces that I frequent to the Radio 1 airwaves. I’m planning on taking the listener on a journey through my taste, including some surprises and a mix that will be the perfect companion whether you’re running or raving.”

LCY

LCY has independently played around the UK and Europe pushing and releasing a darker sound of electronic music. Head of new platform SZNS7N, LCY launched the label with their most recent EP ‘S1N’ and went on to release SZN001; a compilation featuring new UK artists and supported by the likes of Pearson Sound, Pinch and Om Unit.

LCY says: “Annie Nightingale’s voice and presence on air has always been a reassurance that radio is a space for everyone to enjoy and excel in. Annie has done so much within her decorative and important run on Radio 1 – pioneering is never easy but it has always been necessary. It is broadcasters like Annie that have led the way not only for themselves but for the radio figures that have followed. Being a part of this is a massive honour and I am extremely proud to have faith put in my abilities from such a legendary leader in UK based broadcasting.”

Godlands

Annabel Hartlett, known by her stage name Godlands, is an Australian DJ, songwriter, and music producer. Godlands has performed at many Australian music festivals and events including: Festival X 2019, Party In The Paddock, This That, Touch Bass, and Spilt Milk.

They will each appear on a special edition of Annie Nightingale Presents on Saturday 6 November from 10pm-1am.

Annie Nightingale says: “I was the first ever female DJ on radio and am now the longest serving presenter of any gender. Ever since I began, I have wanted to help other young broadcasters passionate about music to achieve their dreams on the airwaves, and now, we at Radio 1 are to put that on a proper footing. Each year, Annie Nightingale Presents will promote several budding DJs to hone their craft and give them each an hour-long show, broadcast on Radio 1 in a prominent Saturday night slot. We have selected three new DJs to launch this year’s academy, one each from Bristol, London and Adelaide, Australia.”

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, adds: “It feels incredibly fitting to have a female Dance icon like Annie Nightingale being able to uplift new and exciting DJs to the national stage. This has always been very close to Annie’s heart, so we’re pleased to be able to give her this annual opportunity to celebrate the newest ones to watch, and we’re looking forward to hearing what they each bring to the show.”

Annie Nightingale became the first ever female DJ on Radio 1 when she joined the station over 50 years ago. Now the station’s longest serving DJ, she hosts a weekly show on Tuesday nights showcasing the biggest and best new Dance tracks.