To champion teenage voices, NCS has partnered with Karmarama, part of Accenture Interactive to launch Mixtape ‘22; an audiovisual mixtape featuring new music by young British artists using and sampling the words of UK teenagers.

Featured on the mixtape are artists Saidhu, winner of Rap Game 2021; BBC Radio 1 presenter and neo soul singer Victoria Jane; and Garage singer Emma Cannon. Each of these artists wrote and performed music featuring lyrics inspired by feelings and opinions crowdsourced from young people around the country.

Mixtape ’22 provides UK teens with a chance to hear and see themselves reflected in music made by rising stars of the UK music scene while offering a taste of NCS and the valuable life-changing experience it has to offer. The idea was created and produced by Karmarama and the track itself is produced by renowned producer duo Star.One.

NCS helps young people become world ready and work-ready, providing a platform for young people’s voices to be heard through a wide range of activities and personal development experiences. NCS has opportunities for teenagers to get involved in Summer Residential, Futuremakers paid work placements, the Connect digital hub and Changemakers community volunteering.

“We’re here to give a voice to a generation ready to speak their minds. Mixtape ’22 is a slice of youth culture made by this generation for their generation.” explained Adam Boita, Marketing Director of National Citizen Service; “It perfectly captures the upfront, honest and hopeful opinions of today’s teens, all set to a compelling sonic journey thanks to our incredible artistic collaborators.”

The Mixtape launched during a live radio show with Reprezent Radio, which broadcasts from three shipping containers in Brixton. Launch was supported by editorial coverage and social content partnerships with The Face and Verge and there will also be owned social content as well as influencer content on YouTube.

‘Music has always been used as an outlet for self-expression. And for the generation living in 2022 that couldn’t be more the case. We’re delighted to have worked with NCS as well as some incredible musical talent, to give them a platform to create a piece of pop culture that allows them to create and share a soundtrack for their generation.’ added Nik Studzinski, Chief Creative Officer, Karmarama.

NCS is an Arms Length Body of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS). Mixtape ’22 is part of the wider NCS ‘No We Can’ campaign, which aims to give a voice to a generation ready to speak their mind. ‘No We Can’ aims to inspire independence and help teenagers turn around a lifetime of being told they are too young into a collective voice that tells the world what they can achieve.