BBC Radio 1XTRA special mention for up-and-coming music artist from our University

A student at our University has been recognised for his music on a BBC Radio 1XTRA radio show.

Yesterday evening, DJ Sian Anderson hosted the ‘online find’ segment of her show- a short slot dedicated to shining a light on new talent in the music industry. Her song of choice, “Feel it”, is the work of Biological Sciences student Shimon Atunde who, alongside his studies, is paving out a career as an independent music artist.

“Feel it” is a single which takes influences from rising afrobeat artist Mr Eazi and Canadian RnB producer Party Next Door (PND). Shimon has blended these sounds into his own unique modern twist. The track has been described as “a simple story of love that is so deep there are no words to explain it.”

Shimon was born in Lagos, Nigeria where he spent most of his life before moving to the UK. His songs tell stories of love lost and love found with a tone that combines heart-break and humour.

Alongside this achievement, Shimon also recently won the Pomerance Prize for Music at the University of Leicester for contributions to music within the university-coming in second place at the University Gospel Choir of the Year competition with Leicester University Voices.

Speaking to Shimon, he said: “Hearing myself on the radio was surreal. Even more amazing were the things that Sian Anderson said she liked about the track. This was a very big deal for me, as I got a chance to be on the same playlist as Big Shaq- Man’s Not Hot. It made my day, my week even!”

Listen to Sian Anderson’s show here (Shimon features at 1 hr 15 minutes)