Punch Records

🌟 November's rewind - here's what we were up to last month: 🔸 We brought international Dancehall sensation D'Yani to the UK for a sold-out 3-day tour in Birmingham, Manchester and London 🔸 We won "Excellence in Youth Impact" at the Social Economy Awards 🔸 We programmed 5 Masterclasses focused on Funding, Marketing and Networking for 50 of the West Midlands' most exciting, emerging Creative Professionals 🔸 We captured Redbull's Culture Clash in Jamaica which featured the likes of Beanie Man, Capleton and Valiant 🔸 We have connected over 50 creatives & entrepreneurs with 15 mentors through "ACTIVATE" with West Midlands Combined Authority 🔸 We're featured inside The Record Store & Black Music, A UK History by 2FUNKY ARTS LTD 🔸 Our Founder & CEO Ammo Talwar MBE has been awarded by CORE Education Trust 🔸 We attended CREME's Networking Lunch: Celebrating Diversity and Enterprise Expect to see a 2024 Rewind across all our platforms in the coming weeks...

Congratulations to our CEO Ammo Talwar for receiving this award from CORE Education Trust to celebrate 10 years of the trust!

Reflecting on the 2025 GRAMMY Nominations 🔹 Raye shines with three nominations for “Songwriter of the Year, Non-Classical” and “Best New Artist” at this year's GRAMMYs, for the first time in her career. 🔹 Doechii makes waves as she becomes the first female rapper to secure a 'Best Rap Album' nomination in GRAMMY history. 🔹 Beyoncé achieves a monumental milestone with her 99th GRAMMYs nomination, she becomes the most nominated artist ever. 🔹 Kendrick Lamar's track 'Not Like Us' receives an impressive 5 nominations at the 2025 GRAMMYs. 🔹 Breaking barriers, the Best Pop Vocal Album category features exclusively female artists for the first time in GRAMMYs history. Who are your standout contenders in this lineup?

🌟 October's rewind - here's what we were up to last month: 🔸 We worked with Birmingham Race Impact Group to produce their bi-annual Summit to a sold out room of over 200 attendees. 🔸 Working with 2FUNKY ARTS LTD we partnered on an incredible gig called "And Still I Rise" at Midlands Arts Centre which helped to celebrate Black History Month 2024 🔸 Partnering with West Midlands Combined Authority, we are mentoring mentors in the West Midlands to unlock more paid opportunities 🔸 BBC Introducing came to Birmingham this past month, where we were able to provide performance opportunities to the city's emerging talent 🔸 We have selected the next artist that will be releasing music through Parlay Records later this year 🔸 We commissioned Gallery37 alumni Amaan Jahangir to produce exhibition "Mixed Messages" at The Old Library during Digbeth First Friday and the reception was incredible! 🔸 Focusing on essential skills for the Creative Industries such as Networking, Fundraising and Marketing - we have kicked off a fresh masterclass series for the creative professionals that are a part of the latest Community Routes cohort 🔸 Something to watch out for... we sent a small team to Jamaica to create new work... stay tuned! 🔸 Our team had a night out to the Scare Maze at Luna Springs for a Halloween social filled with chills, thrills and tons of laughs (and a few screams)

As we continue championing companies and artists for Black History Month, we want to highlight some amazing Black-led organisations from Birmingham. 🔹 Boxout UK 🔹 ACE Dance and Music 🔹 Belly Deep 🔹 Hoodrich 🔹 Niyo Group

As a global majority city it is important to shine the spotlight on examples of exceptional work in the city, especially as it is Black History Month, we want to commend some black trailblazers within the Midlands Creative scene. 🔹 Johnathan Williams - Photographer 🔹 Keyrah - DJ 🔹 Ehi Oboite - DJ & Entrepreneur  🔹 Ayan Aden - Birmingham Poet Laureate 🔹 Paris Miami - Digital Illustrator

It's World Mental Health Day today so we wanted to share our most recent commission with Amaan Jahangir which explores themes of mental health and the complexities of intimate relationships. This exhibition featured 30 paintings created by Amaan Jahangir, inspired by text messages from South Asian culture and communities. Sending our love to those struggling with their mental health, let’s acknowledge the importance of mental wellbeing. It’s crucial to break the stigma and support one another.

We’re building a network of mentors because YOU also deserve mentoring. Do you want to be up-skilled in various areas as a creative which may increase your chance of getting paid work? Upcoming workshops include: The Impactful Mentor – 24 or 25 Oct (date & time TBC) You'll learn how to build trust, motivate mentees, and guide emerging talent with confidence. Gain practical tools to make a lasting impact as a mentor in the creative community. Next Level Mentoring – 19 or 20 Nov (date & time TBC) Focusing on overcoming common mentoring challenges, fostering long-term growth, and developing tailored support strategies. You'll refine your skills to create lasting, transformative mentoring that strenghtens existing relationships and builds new networks. Apply by emailing cas@punch-records.co.uk or call us at 0121 794 0244 https://lnkd.in/eUskU6Aq

We want to commend Ayan Aden for her remarkable achievement in being selected as Birmingham's esteemed poet laureate, and we also wish to extend our congratulations to Japmeh Kaur Gural for her well-deserved appointment as Birmingham's young poet laureate. Your passion for poetry and literary artistry is truly inspiring, and we can’t wait to see the creative journey and successes that the upcoming year has in store for both of you!

We are thrilled to announce our brand new additions, Lizzie Giles and Lamar Riviere to our team as Creative Producers. Their experience and creative talents will surely bring a fresh perspective to our projects and programmes. Welcome aboard, Lizzie and Lamar!