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ANJOOL MALDE AWARDS 2024 | Pressat

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This, the 15th Anniversary of Anjool’s passing, sees 12 more remarkable young individuals winning Anjool Maldé awards. Set up in 2010 as a legacy to Anjool Maldé (1984-2009) – Jools to his friends – the Trust makes annual awards across 6 categories with prize money to a selection of UK’s talented best young individuals with a special edge to their achievements. The Awards encourage all young individuals to ‘do well, do good’ in their lives and careers.

Innovation & Design Awards

2024 also marks the 100th year of the Royal Society of Arts’ (RSA) wonderful Design Awards. See the journey through the work of Anjool Maldé Centenary Design Award Winner Rachel Cartledge’s short animation here.

The Trust had great pleasure joining the centenary celebrations by placing its prestigious Young Innovator Award with the RSA and to offer an extra Centenary Design Award. Going forward, we hope to reposition our annual Innovator Award to align with RSA’s exciting Design for Life/RSA Spark Initiative launched at the July Ceremony. RSA:The RSA are grateful to AMMT for their support to our 100th Student Design Awards. We were very proud to deliver the Young Innovators Award on their behalf and we look forward to continuing our collaboration as we launch RSA Spark.”

2024 AWARD WINNERS

YOUNG DESIGNER

Anjool Maldé Young Centenary Designer Award (Hosts: RSA)

Winner: Rachel Cartledge (Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland)

For: From The Ground-Up – a multimedia animation showcasing the innovation of previous Student Design Award winners as individual artworks within the walls of the iconic RSA house in London.

PHOTO 1: Winner Rachel Cartledge with Gemma Shaw (from the Trust) and Andrew Grant RDI (Guest Speaker at RSA Awards Ceremony). Photo courtesy RSA-Maja Smiejkowska

Judges praised Rachel’s in-depth research and analysis, as well as the mixed method approach to animation and the creativity she exhibited. RSA staff tasked with deciding the Anjool Maldé Centenary Design Award voted for Rachel, citing how her storytelling brought to life the rich history of the design awards.

Rachel: “I think the award is a great thing because it allows young people’s work like mine to receive recognition. I also think it’s great because the prize money enables me to pursue my design career further and grow as a designer! I am going to use the award money to go towards a new laptop so I can develop my motion graphics skills outside university.” (Rachel Cartledge: Website | Instagram)

YOUNG INNOVATOR

Anjool Maldé Young Innovator Award (Hosts: RSA)

Winner: Tess Taylor (Arts University Bournemouth, UK)

For: Terra Hex – An AI soil sensor and app that promotes regenerative agriculture and accurate fertilisation to diminish farmers’ contribution to climate change while fostering community-led mitigation of climate challenges.

PHOTO 2: Winner Tess Taylor with Gemma Shaw (from the Trust) and Andrew Grant RDI (Guest Speaker at RSA Awards Ceremony). Photo courtesy RSA-Maja Smiejkowska.

Judges praised Tess’s professional presentation at the interview stage of the judging process and were impressed with her knowledge on the subject matter, how she presented her work, and addressed difficult questions. They described Terra Hex as a convincing project, which was viable and innovative. Quote from judging panel: “There is a lot of excitement about artificial intelligence these days, but Tess Taylor demonstrates what all AI innovations require: keen knowledge of the issue at hand, and a pragmatic solution.”

Tess: “I am very grateful to have been awarded the Young Innovator of the Year Award. This

recognition was unexpected but has provided me with reassurance and motivation regarding my design, Terra Hex, and future projects that aim to promote positive social and environmental impact. The award, along with the prize money, will significantly benefit my creative design journey, empowering me to continue innovating and making a positive difference.” (Tess Taylor: Website)

YOUNG JOURNALIST

Anjool Maldé Journalism Award 2024 (Hosts: Film & Broadcast Production QUB, Belfast)

Winners: Louise Simms and Sarah Morrison (1st year Broadcast Production)

For their project: Audio Package about Search and Rescue

PHOTO 3: Winners Louise Simms (left) and Sarah Morrison (right) with Frank Delaney (Awards Convenor). Photo courtesy QUB.

Frank Delaney
(Awards Convenor):As an invaluable award to reward student achievement – open to all students across the Film & Broadcast Production programmes, both undergraduate and postgraduate – it was an extraordinary achievement that this year it was given to two students in their first year.” Judges:This project is an excellent output that speaks to the wider community and addresses mental health issues. It shows an interdisciplinary approach to broadcast production by looking at how broadcast can be operationalised in social cultural contexts with a particular focus on health and wellbeing of citizen. It was exceptionally produced and crafted and displays a strong understanding of narrative creation and productions techniques.”

Louise Simms: “I am delighted to have received the Anjool Maldé award for our piece on K9 Search and Rescue NI. To not only be able to share the work of such an incredible organisation, but to also be recognised for it so early in my university career is an absolute honour. I feel incredibly grateful to have the opportunity to shine light on important stories like this one and motivated to continue doing so throughout the rest of my career.”

Sarah Morrison: “I was so thrilled to find out that we had won the Anjool Maldé Journalism Award, particularly as a first-year student. We produced this audio feature story for our Broadcast Storytelling module which involved interviewing a community hero. Listening to our interviewee Gabriel, I learnt so much about the reality for the volunteers of K9 Search and Rescue, as well as gaining a deeper understanding of the prevalence of individuals struggling with mental health battles. Through my experience producing this audio story and by winning this award, I feel inspired to continue to tell the stories of others in the future.”

YOUNG MUSICIAN

Anjool Maldé Jazz Prize (Hosts: Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, Cardiff – RWCMD)

Winner: Tiggy (Antigone) Blackwell

PHOTO 4: Winner Tiggy Blackwell with Head of Jazz Dr Andrew Bain. Photo courtesy RWCMD.

Judge Andrew Bain (Head of Jazz): “Antigone Blackwell is thoroughly deserving of the 2024 Anjool Maldé Jazz Prize. She is a first-rate player and improviser, and her extra-curricular dedication to the school – in scheduling and announcing AmserJazzTime for the past three years, in particular, is exemplary, and above and beyond her role as a jazz student.”

RWCMD: Tim Rhys-Evans (Director of Music): “Tiggy organises our popular AmserJazzTime events – weekly free performances fully curated and performed by our Jazz students, creating an accessible, musical experience for the people of Cardiff, and inviting our campus to act as a welcoming, social hub – every week. We are very grateful for the support of The Anjool Malde Jazz Prize which is enabling us to recognise, and congratulate, our Jazz students for their devotion to their craft, and our accessible performance programme. Llongyfarchiadau (Congratulations) Tiggy!” (AmserJazzTime concert with Award Presentation https://youtu.be/OywYIXygTIY?t=2011)

Tiggy: I feel extremely honoured and grateful to be the inaugural winner at RWCMD of ‘The Anjool Maldé Jazz Prize’. Receiving this award has given me the confidence to further develop my trombone playing as much as possible after graduating from The RWCMD, and I’m looking forward to seeing what the future holds for my music career. I’d also like to continue my dedication to jazz by organising events and concerts to showcase the talent in this industry, as well as encouraging younger people to get involved in making music.” (Tiggy Blackwell https://www.tiggyblackwell.com/)

YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER

Anjool Maldé Photography Award

(Sponsor: Reuben Kench. Hosts: Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland)

Winner: Blair Kemp

PHOTO 5: Winner Blair Kemp with Lei Cox (Head of Photography) and Charmaine Toh (Senior Curator, Tate). Photo courtesy Napier. PHOTO 6: ‘Freya’, Blair Kemp Portfolio, photo courtesy Blair Kemp.

Judges: Charmaine Toh (Senior Curator, Tate): “Blair demonstrated a genius in poetic editorial flow through beautifully sequenced imaging.” Lei Cox (Head of Photography): “Blair has consistently made fantastic work thorough his four years of studying with us. He won the Young Persons Scottish Portrait Award whilst starting his second year, and he has made a wonderful sequence of subtly connecting images for his degree show. A very worthy winner of the Anjool Maldé Young Photographer of the Year at Edinburgh Napier University.”

Blair: “I feel honoured to have received the Anjool Maldé Young Photographer of the Year prize. The funds will help me to further develop my artistic practise within the photographic medium, subsidising the cost of travel and materials such as colour film, processing, and printing. I’m extremely grateful to the Anjool Maldé Memorial Trust for supporting and facilitating young people.” (Blair Kemp: https://www.instagram.com/blairrkemp/)

YOUNG SCHOLARS

Anjool Maldé Scholarship (Hosts: St Peter’s College, Oxford)

Winners: Martha Sainty (Geography), Aman de Silva (Chemistry), Grace Hall (Music), Long (Rhonda) Tse (Biochemistry), Gabriella Moscona (Engineering)

PHOTO 7: Winners (L-R) Martha, Aman, Grace, Rhonda, Gabriella with St Peter’s Staff. Photo courtesy St Peter’s College (SPC).

Brett de Gaynesford (SPC Director of Development): “This year’s five awardees have not only demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, but also a remarkable commitment to supporting their peers. It is heartwarming to see that Anjool’s legacy – his spirit of excellence, hard work, kindness and care for the community – continues to inspire a new generation of St Peter’s students every year. Thank you for making this possible.”

YOUNG SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

Anjool Maldé Young Social Enterpreneur Award

(Sponsor and Host: Tom Latchford, Founder/Chair Localgiving Foundation)

Winner: Marco Tenconi for Rhyze Mushrooms Co-operative (https://rhyzemushrooms.org/)

PHOTO 8: Winner Marco Tenconi with Award. Courtesy self

Judge Becca Sweetman (Executive & Team Coach https://www.beccasweetman.com/): “I’m excited to select Rhyze Mushrooms as the winner of the Anjool Maldé Young Social Entrepreneur Award. It was inspiring to learn about all the different ways they’re having an impact from locally grown food, to using food waste that would have gone to landfill and creating a community of mushroom enthusiasts. In a tight knit contest, the things that made them stand out were the mix of impact, scale already achieved to date and the business model, providing the potential for future growth.”

Marco: “I’m really grateful and proud to receive this generous award from the Anjool Maldé Memorial Trust in recognition of the work I have carried out through Rhyze Mushrooms. Growing food in our communities and valuing the hard work of food growers is increasingly important as extreme climatic change threatens our food supplies. We need radical and creative solutions to growing more food, more sustainably and it’s really exciting that our project has received recognition through this award. As a community project and worker’s co-operative, everything we do at Rhyze Mushrooms is rooted in principles of collaboration and mutual aid.”

CLOSING COMMENTS

Melissa Holloway
(Anjool’s university contemporary and loyal supporter of the Trust, the Founder/CEO of SmartStart Health): “Fifteen years is a milestone – with so many incredibly talented young individuals showered with Awards over the years! I’ve asked myself what Jools would have said about my start-up endeavours. And the answer would have been the same – ‘Go for it!’ as he would always encourage me with my next big idea.”

Paul Williams
(Anjool’s college contemporary and Trust Advisor): “2024 marks the 15th Anniversary of Anjool’s passing and it is a genuine pleasure to acknowledge the great work done by the Trust as a legacy to Jools. While warmly congratulating all the winners featuring above as well as past ones – we have reached the milestone of 170 award winners this year – it is a particular pleasure to thank everyone, on behalf of his friends and family, who have played and continue to play an important role in this mission. Our grateful thanks to all the supporters, sponsors and well-wishers. And the very best wishes to all the Winners as they continue to thrive in their chosen fields.”

-ENDS-

NOTES:



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The Cinematic Legacy of Michael Jackson: A Biopic Unveiled

The release of “Michael,” a biopic directed by Antoine Fuqua, delves into the complex life of pop icon Michael Jackson. Featuring Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, the film explores Jackson’s meteoric rise to fame, his personal struggles, and his enduring impact on music and popular culture. This article examines the film’s narrative choices, performances, and its reception among audiences and critics.

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In April 2026, the film world turned its spotlight on “Michael,” the eagerly awaited biopic of Michael Jackson that promises to offer a new lens on the life of the King of Pop. Directed by the esteemed Antoine Fuqua, known for his ability to craft compelling narratives, the film had built anticipation long before its release. The casting of Jaafar Jackson, a relative of the legendary artist, in the titular role, has only fueled interest, promising an intimate portrayal steeped in familial authenticity.

The film’s release comes at a time when Michael Jackson’s legacy undergoes renewed scrutiny and appreciation. Touching down in theaters globally, “Michael” traverses the expansive journey of Jackson’s life—from his early days in Gary, Indiana, to his unprecedented success and the complex personal life that unfolded under the relentless glare of public attention.

Fuqua’s direction takes viewers on a chronological journey, beginning with Jackson’s time as the frontman of The Jackson 5, where his prodigious talent was first recognized. The film seamlessly transitions to his groundbreaking solo career, punctuated by pivotal moments such as the release of “Thriller,” the best-selling album of all time, whose cultural impact remains unparalleled. The narrative does not shy away from exploring Jackson’s trials, including legal and personal challenges, providing a nuanced view that respects the complexities of his life.

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The film’s soundtrack, featuring remastered versions of Jackson’s hits as well as unreleased tracks, has contributed to the film’s allure. Music becomes a character in its own right, driving the narrative and underscoring the emotional beats of the story. The decision to incorporate lesser-known tracks offers fans a fresh auditory experience, while the inclusion of Jackson’s biggest hits ensures the film resonates with a broad audience.

Critics have been largely positive, praising the film’s balance between spectacle and intimate storytelling. The Los Angeles premiere was met with standing ovations, and early box office numbers suggest a strong commercial performance. However, the film is not without its detractors. Some critics argue that it glosses over certain controversial aspects of Jackson’s life, though Fuqua has defended his approach as a respectful homage rather than an exhaustive exposé.

As “Michael” continues its theatrical run, the conversation around Jackson’s legacy remains as vibrant as ever. The film serves as a reminder of his indelible mark on music and popular culture, while also inviting audiences to reflect on the complexities of celebrity and artistry. Looking ahead, “Michael” is likely to spark renewed interest in Jackson’s music, potentially drawing a new generation of listeners into his orbit.

With its blend of compelling performances, iconic music, and a narrative that walks the tightrope between adulation and scrutiny, “Michael” stands as a testament to the enduring fascination with one of music’s most enigmatic figures. Its release marks a significant chapter in the ongoing dialogue about Michael Jackson, his art, and his legacy.

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The music world is abuzz with the release of Drake’s latest album, ‘Iceman’, which has swiftly climbed to the top of global stream trending charts, reaffirming the artist’s undeniable influence in the industry. Released this week, ‘Iceman’ has already shattered streaming records on major platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, illustrating not only the album’s appeal but also the strategic mastery behind its launch.

The success of ‘Iceman’ is anchored in its innovative blend of classic rap beats with cutting-edge electronic elements, a fusion that has resonated well with audiences worldwide. The album’s thematic focus on personal growth and resilience taps into the zeitgeist, offering a narrative of empowerment that is both timely and poignant. In an era where listeners crave authenticity and connection, Drake delivers introspective lyrics that explore his journey, struggles, and triumphs, creating a relatable tapestry for fans to engage with.

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The album’s commercial success is matched by its critical acclaim, with several tracks hailed as potential contenders for major music awards. Industry insiders predict that ‘Iceman’ will dominate upcoming award seasons, solidifying Drake’s status not just as a commercial powerhouse but as a critical darling.

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Ryan McKenzie Takes the Dance Floor by Storm with Global Hit

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Ryan McKenzie, the British music sensation, has captured the global music scene with his electrifying track ‘Dance Through the Night.’ This song has not only topped charts worldwide but has also become a staple in clubs and dance venues. McKenzie’s latest rendition features a fresh tech house vibe that has resonated with audiences, making it a must-play track for DJs and radio stations alike.

Since its release, ‘Dance Through the Night’ has received extensive airplay, with major radio stations such as Kiss FM, Capital Dance, and Z100 in New York featuring it prominently in their playlists. This exposure has propelled McKenzie into the limelight, garnering him a dedicated fan base and critical acclaim.

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As a global artist, McKenzie has not only focused on music production but has also prioritized connecting with his audience. His active engagement on social media platforms has allowed fans to stay updated on his latest projects and performances.

The success of ‘Dance Through the Night’ follows a series of achievements in McKenzie’s career, establishing him as a prominent figure in the contemporary music landscape. His unique sound, combined with a modern twist on classic dance music, has set him apart from his peers.

In addition to radio play, the song has also gained traction on streaming platforms, where it continues to climb the charts. The engaging visuals accompanying the track’s music video further enhance its appeal, drawing in viewers and encouraging shares across various platforms.

As McKenzie continues to expand his musical repertoire, fans can anticipate more innovative tracks that push the boundaries of traditional dance music. His commitment to evolution within the genre positions him as a forward-thinking artist in an ever-changing industry.

 

For those eager to experience this rising star’s music, ‘Dance Through the Night’ is available on all major streaming platforms, and you can watch the official music video on YouTube. McKenzie’s journey is just beginning, and he is undoubtedly a name to watch in the coming years.

To catch up with Ryan McKenzie and explore his music, visit his official YouTube channel at [Ryan McKenzie Official](http://www.youtube.com/@ryanmckenzieofficial5679) and connect on Facebook for the latest updates. With each new release, McKenzie is poised to make an even greater impact on the global music scene, solidifying his status as a leading artist in the industry.

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