Lagos, Nigeria – May 8, 2025 – Studio Monkey Shoulders is a global grassroots music program for the famous mixed malt brand Monkey Shoulders, returning to Nigeria for the second consecutive year. This year, the continued competition with legendary DJ and broadcaster Gilles Peterson once again invited Nigeria’s most ambitious, homegrown grassroots music community to apply for a £10,000 grant (Naira 20 million) to bring their large original music project to reality and highlight their live scenes at a global scale.
The fund supports DIY music venues, online radio stations, and collective independent record stores that are promoting the boundaries of sound, while promoting connections in the real world – all focusing on protecting people’s thriving in Nigeria, creating music people to encourage people to connect, create and discover music to encourage music ecosystems. In addition to funding, the winner will tell their stories through a series of films and broadcast communications produced by FM around the world.
Gilles Peterson, founder of Broadcasting Corporation, DJ and Worldwide FMexplain “I’m very happy to see the shoulders of studio monkeys growing in the second year in the second year. Working with the communities we support in 2024, I’m happy to see their projects thriving and coming to life. I’m very happy to find a community-driven project in Nigeria and the talent associated with the project in the second year.”
The impact of the program has been felt. Cultural Institutions in Lagos in 2024 Jazz Cave Received a grant from Nigeria to digitally recreate rare archive recordings and preserve Nigeria’s sound legacy.
Thank you for the plan, Jazz Cavethe recipient of last year’s Nigeria grant said, “The Jazz Band’s experience last year was memorable. We had an exclusive meeting with Monkey Shoulders, Gilles Peterson and the Global FM crew. It not only provided us with a platform, but also gave us a traditional project. Thank you for making this dream a reality.”
Nigeria joins four other global territories – United Kingdom, India, Taiwan and Germany – Similar creative collectives will be selected in each country to gain global popularity through global FM broadcasting and documentary features.
Each selected project becomes part of an international creative network curated by FM around the world, aiming to enhance the community’s voice and bring its stories to the global stage. Applications for the Nigerian Studio Monkey Shoulder Fund will be open on April 28 and will be closed on June 1.
For more information and to apply, please visit this website
About the monkey’s shoulders
In 2005, Monkey Shoulders was the world’s first mixed malt whiskey to be made, breaking into the whiskey world, and it has been breaking the conventions of the category ever since. Monkey Shoulder Mixed Malt Whiskey developed as the ultimate whiskey for cocktails is mixed together in small batches of Speyside’s best single malt whiskey and then married together. The original mixture is rich, smooth and fruity enough to mix together, but balanced enough to enjoy neatness. Recently, Monkey Shoulder was named the second best-selling and third trending Scotch whiskey brand in Drink International’s 2022 Brand Report. This unique mixture takes its name from Scotch because the muscle strains suffered by malt men during the days when whiskey was still handmade.
About Global FM
Global FM is an award-winning community and platform that will be at the forefront through music and culture, marginalized voices, alternative perspectives and shared progressive values. The radio station founded by DJ Gilles Peterson combines world-class broadcasting talent, cutting-edge technology, and an experienced team of producers and curators, reflecting the diversity of the International Music Center. Regardless of where the show comes from, Global FM is trying to voice a voice to progressive artists and cultural figures who fight inequality in all its forms. Now working at the intersection of audio, video, editorial, film and photography, Global FM works with like-minded brands to provide solutions and activations with a huge global impact, audience and engagement.
About William Grant and his son
William Grant & Sons Ltd. mixes Scots, Grant’s®, and other iconic spiritual brands such as Hendrick’s® Gin, Sailor Jerry® and Tullamore Dew® Irish Whiskey.
