Under the Radar: Sean Focus

Edinburgh-based Sean Focus is the only Scottish act to receive the backing of Amazon Music’s celebrated black music platform +44. Alongside extensive marketing (including a billboard ad currently on Edinburgh’s Leith Walk) he’ll benefit from development funding too.

His music is rooted in afro-pop, hip-hop and dancehall, and influenced by his Zimbabwean heritage and upbringing in the Scottish capital.

Championed by BBC 1Xtra’s DJ Target, Apple Music’s Charlie Sloth, Reprezent Radio and BBC Introducing, he was a regular fixture at Edinburgh’s Sneaky Pete’s and Glasgow’s SWG3 before the pandemic.

Sean Focus is an experienced producer, sound engineer and a music entrepreneur. He founded his own Imvaize Music Group, incorporating a record label, studio, production house and PR agency, currently representing and developing a wealth of underground talent, see https://www.incaseineversleep.com For more on +44 see https://www.instagram.com/plus44uk/ and for more on Sean see https://www.facebook.com/officialseanfocus

Olaf Furniss and Derick Mackinnon run music industry seminar and social night Born To Be Wide visit www.borntobewide.co.uk

Applications are open for European development and mentoring programme JUMP. Coordinated by six European festivals / conferences, the UK partner Un-Convention, alongside MaMA (France), Athens Music Week (Greece), Linecheck (Italy), MIL (Portugal), and Nouvelle Prague (Czech Republic), are seeking applications from music industry professionals from throughout Europe, with innovative ideas. Successful applicants will have travel, accommodation and tuition costs covered. Apply at https://www.jumpmusic.eu/apply

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription to support our journalism.

To subscribe to scotsman.com and enjoy unlimited access to Scottish news and information online and on our app, visit https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions

Joy Yates, Editorial Director