If you saw Ezra Collective’s bandleader Femi Koleoso accept this year’s Mercury Prize and dedicated it to the South London youth club that fused the group together, you may begin to understand the importance of an organisation like Intercultural Youth Scotland (IYS). 

Represented here by CEO Khaleda Noon and Creative Lead Sara Elbashir, IYS advise the Scottish Government on anti-racism education, provide safe spaces for BPOC youth to socialise and access mental-health support, and give young people a much-needed place to explore their creativity. By facilitating practice spaces, talent showcases, workshops and opportunities at local festivals, youngsters are being exposed to the performing arts in an environment where the stakes are as high as they want them to be.

We can see the impact of IYS rippling through the Scottish music scene with alumni acts such as Bemz, Chef The Rapper, Queen Of Harps and Supermann rising through the ranks. This past year, IYS have also collaborated with Gilded Balloon on their regular SixFive music event, alongside leading our first LISTLIVE gig and hosting their own slot on EHFM. At a time when public services like this are being ruthlessly axed, IYS exemplify the importance of nurturing talent from the grassroots. 

Discover who else made the cut in the The List Hot 100 on our site or in our latest issue, available at all good stockists across Glasgow and Edinburgh.