The Red Bull Music Academy first took place in Berlin in 1998, bringing together DJs and music producers from diverse musical and cultural backgrounds to exchange their ideas about music and knowledge of how life in the music industry really works.
Now in its tenth year, the annual RBMA has been held across the globe in cities as diverse in style as Dublin, New York, London, Sao Paulo, Cape Town, Rome, Seattle. In 2006 the activities were hosted in Melbourne, Australia. Structured in two fortnightly terms, 60 music enthusiasts are flown in from around the world all expenses paid, to share, learn and have an absolute ball, all the while exploring and absorbing influence from the host city Toronto and its musical scenes.
Covering all major aspects of DJ culture, including music history, technology, production and business skills, the Red Bull Music Academy invites a variety of accomplished international guests from around the world to share their knowledge and experience; everyone from industry movers and shakers, to pirate radio station operators, turntablists and sonic theorists. All are on hand to meet students and tell their own stories in their own words.
Spanning the various sub-genres within dance, hip hop and everything in between including broken beats, garage, disco, house, drum ‘n bass, dub, reggae, electronica, funk-soul-jazz, and techno, there is something for every musical taste bud. Over the years the academy has featured tutors of the highest musical calibre, including Jeff Mills, Adam Freeland, MJ Cole, Tiga, Craze, Grandwizard Theodore, Cut Chemist, J Majik, Derrick May, Michael Mayer, Norman Jay, Mark Rae (Rae & Christian), Biz Markie, Killa Kela, J-Rocc, Peter Hook (New Order), Zinc, Recloose, Peanut Butter Wolf, X-Ecutioners, Biz Markie, Peshay, Tom Middleton, D-Bridge, Derrick Carter, Mike G (Jungle Brothers), Prince Paul, Mad Professor, among many others.
For 2007, a prestigious line up of tutors has been selected, however in keeping with tradition; the identity of the lecturers will be kept under wraps until the academy begins. To gain an insight into what a day at the academy might entail is to get a glimpse into a mind-altering musical world. Each day students meet for breakfast and early morning catch-ups before heading off to check out which speaker will take their place on the Academy couch. There, armed with a mic, turntable, piece of hardware or perhaps just themselves, each lecturer shares with the students their years of musical experience, passing on invaluable know-how about the industry, technology and sharing how their dreams have pushed them forward to where they are now. From there, participants have the opportunity to involve themselves in all manner of collaborations with artists spanning the entire breadth of the musical sphere – purism goes out the door, it’s a sonic free-for-all. At night, it’s time to hit the town, with students attending one another’s show and forging unforgettable links.
The Academy has been set up first and foremost to provide attendees with an opportunity to broaden their musical horizons, gain knowledge into the industry and create invaluable networks with fellow artists across the globe. The philosophy is simple: the best of music, past & present, from around the world, under one roof, getting down just for the funk of it. The Academy isn’t a place to become an Idol-style overnight superstar and it’s not a guaranteed career maker either. Ultimately, it’s up to you to navigate your own path, but the Red Bull Music Academy could give you a major nudge forward.
Applications are open now, with info sessions happening in VIC, NSW, WA, QLD & SA, dates and details coming soon.
- Workshop Term 1: 23 September – 05 October 2007
- Workshop Term 2: 14 October – 26 October 2007
- Applications Close: 4 May 2007
Application are available for download at www.redbullmusicacademy.com.
