Amir Wilson, an actor hailing from Shrewsbury, has rapidly risen as a young talent in the acting world. His journey began at age 10 when he responded to an open audition for the Lion King at the Lyceum Theatre. Out of 3000 hopefuls, Amir made it to the final four, and thanks to some quick thinking from his mum, he landed the role. For the next two years, he balanced primary school and performing in the Lion King, and hasn’t looked back since.

Amir's stage performance in The Secret Diary Of Adrian Mole led him to meet his agent, opening doors to film and TV roles. He has since starred as Will Parry in the HBO and BBC One series His Dark Materials, Tiuri in the Netflix series The Letter for the King, and Dickon in the 2020 film adaptation of The Secret Garden.

On the podcast, Amir shares his experiences, challenges and triumphs. From media training and staying in LA hotels to doing GCSE mock exams in a shipping container in Cardiff and filming alongside Colin Firth and Julie Walters at Pinewood Studios, his journey is full of fascinating anecdotes.

A dedicated student of film, Amir left school at 16 to attend LSA film school, which ignited a lifelong passion for the filmmaking process. He emphasises the importance of coping mechanisms for balancing work and personal life and maintaining as normal a school life as possible while pursuing acting.

Amir’s advice to aspiring actors is to stick to short-term goals to improve day by day. For those in creative fields, he suggests absorbing everything around you—watch things you wouldn’t normally watch and talk to people you wouldn’t normally talk to, as there’s much to learn from new experiences and others.

Currently, His Dark Materials is available on BBC iPlayer, offering audiences a chance to see Amir's breakout performances. Listen in to hear more about Amir Wilson’s journey so far and his insights into the acting world.

Instagram: @thepromisingcreative
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Twitter: @PrmisngCreative

Guest: @amirwilson_

Introducing HEN$HAW, the embodiment of Camden's underground spirit, blending rap, garage, dance, grime, and emo-drill into a signature sound. Raised amidst the London borough’s grit and diversity, HEN$HAW's musical journey kicked off with his grandad's gift of a microphone and recording software at a young age in 2012.

With his partner-in-crime, producer Chase, HEN$HAW lives by the motto "when, not if," a positive belief that good things will happen with momentum.

Fuelled by the beats Chase creates, for now he has chosen independence over major labels, leveraging platforms like TikTok to turn unusual moments, like ex-PM Lizz Truss's resignation, into viral hits, as seen with his track "CHALK AND CHEESE."

While navigating the trials of streaming income, HEN$HAW thrives on live shows, channeling his raw emotions into tracks like "HOLE" from his EP 'Sittin’ in the Dark’, and  "Lowkey",  which has had over 3 million Spotify streams. 

Hiis latest release "NO JK", a collaboration with The Skinner Brothers, is out now.

Instagram: @thepromisingcreative
TikTok: @thepromisingcreative
Twitter: @PrmisngCreative


Guest: @henshawgram

Hailing from South London, Marz Fay is poised to make a significant mark on the music scene as an outspoken LGBT artist delving into themes of love, pain & youth. With over 50k+ streams on her debut EP, Marz is quickly building a passionate following.

Raised in Kennington and Waterloo by parents deeply involved in community support, Marz learned early on the power of music to tell stories and inspire change. Releasing her latest EP ‘Melancholy’ in March 2024, Marz also works as an actor, spoken word artist, and radio presenter.

Growing up amid stark social contrasts fueled Marz's drive to express herself through music. Drawing from her upbringing and diverse influences, Marz crafts tracks that resonate with authenticity and raw emotion, including ‘Pour My Heart Out’ and ‘Straight Girl.’ 

With a process centered on journaling, goal-setting, and fearless experimentation, Marz's music reflects her personal evolution and unapologetic self-expression.

Beyond the beats, Marz is finding success in the media industry through persistence and hustle. From cold-emailing radio stations to landing gigs showcasing emerging talent on Reprezent Radio, Marz embodies the spirit of making things happen.

Alongside performing and promoting her EP, Marz is making a documentary exploring music's impact on mental health, showcasing her commitment to storytelling and breaking boundaries. Get ready to vibe with Marz Fay's unique blend of South London grit and creative brilliance.

Listen to Melancholy now on all streaming platforms.

Cap1talA is a UK rap and hip-hop artist whose music is as a powerful reflection of his upbringing and experiences.

Growing up in Kent, Cap1talA faced the harsh reality of racism and often felt like an outsider. However, his passion for music ignited at the age of 15, inspired by the sounds of Tyler the Creator on YouTube. Writing lyrics to beats found online, Cap1tal A eventually found like-minded individuals at his college, supporting each other to start recording their own music.

Despite facing challenges, Cap1tal A remained dedicated to his craft, working odd jobs to fund his music endeavors while exploring other artistic outlets like illustration and modeling. Cap1tal A's music now delves deep into his experiences as a black man in the UK, with tracks like "I'll Come Around" showcasing his vulnerability and openness.

For Cap1tal A, creativity is a state of mind achieved through focus and consistency. Motivated by the belief that "this is it, this is my passion," he is always looking for the next sound, the next thing he has to say.

In moments of low spirits and struggles for success, Cap1tal A turns to gratitude, reminding himself of the achievements he's already made. His advice to aspiring musicians is simple yet powerful: keep going, stay passionate, and appreciate what you have.

With his latest single "Who Gon Tell Em", Cap1tal A continues to inspire people with his positive message (‘Keep on Livin’) and raw authenticity.

Our guest this week is photographer, Sophia Leon. Hailing from Manchester, Sophia's passion for creativity led her to London in pursuit of the most dynamic environment for her artistic ambitions.

Despite receiving discouraging advice in college to avoid putting all her ‘eggs in one basket’ with photography, and pursue a more ‘marketable’ career path, Sophia didn’t give up on her passion.

Her journey into photography was a gradual yet transformative one. Starting as a creative content creator for prestigious brands like Harrods, Sophia realised the potential for freelancing in photography. Balancing freelance opportunities with her full-time job, Sophia eventually took the leap into full-time freelancing, relishing the newfound freedom it offered.

As a self-taught photographer, Sophia's education was rooted in experimentation and collaboration. From college basics to hands-on experience as an assistant, digi, and lighting tech, Sophia's dedication to learning her craft is evident in her shoots.

Sophia's approach to client selection reflects her values of authenticity and connection. For her, successful shoots are built on ‘vibes, authenticity, and trustworthiness’, ensuring that every project is not only visually stunning but also fulfilling.

In this episode of the Promising Creative, Sophia talks candidly about the challenges of freelancing, her strategies for maintaining mental well-being, and the art of pitching to new clients. 

Introducing Rashun Kur, DJ, Events and Tour Manager, and longtime friend of Billy and the show. 

Former professional figure skater from Peckham turned music industry manager, Rashun's musical passion was ignited listening to the jazz records of his great grandfather, renowned percussionist, Tony Yuta. The transition from spinning on ice to the turntables was inspired by his uncle, setting Rashun on a trajectory that began at the age of 12 with his first booking at Southbank University.

Rooted in his uncle's teachings, Rashun honed his craft with vinyl, even building his own sound system. His education at North West Kent college, studying 'Music and Technical Arts,' laid the groundwork for a career in production and event execution.

Rashun is also passionate about artist management, inspired by his father's expertise in hospitality. Currently as the Tour Manager to James Hype, their collaboration has evolved from small club venues to commanding stages at massive festivals. 

Meeting and networking with our very own Billy Hussain opened doors to managing events, sharing the stage with artists like David Guetta, and organizing events with Notion. 

Success comes with many challenges. On the pod, Rashun discusses how he openly confronts racism and online hate, using his experiences to fuel meaningful conversations.

Beyond his personal journey, Rashun is gearing up for a significant project called the Creative Project, set to launch in 2025. This initiative aims to mentor and empower young talents from his local community in various aspects of the industry, ranging from lighting design to becoming industry managers themselves. 

Rashun's mantra echoes loud and clear: "If you don’t do it, you’re never going to know."

Instagram: @thepromisingcreative
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Twitter: @PrmisngCreative

Guest: @rashun.k

Gus Burgess and Austin 'Dope' are the architects behind the "L-Dopa" brand and magazine. 

With the release of their inaugural edition, "The Fly Issue" in 2023, they've carved out a space to amplify the voices of talented creatives in their community.

Beyond the allure of cool ideas and visionary concepts, Gus and Austin stress the importance of hard work to bring projects to life; recognizing that sometimes just a small per centage of the creative process lies in that initial spark.

On the pod, Gus and Austin candidly share their journey, emphasizing the often-overlooked skills and administrative tasks that it’s vital to learn quickly when launching a new project.

Gus is an artisan in his own right: creative direction, photography, editing, curation and branding. His philosophy encapsulates the essence of self-empowerment: "If you want something, you can create it yourself." The brand, an evolving fusion of fashion, style, and a DIY aesthetic, embodies their dynamic creative spirit.

As we eagerly anticipate the next edition of "L-Dopa," the duo contemplates diverse mediums for their storytelling. Whether through another print magazine or innovative forms like unique objects or clothing, Gus and Austin embrace the endless possibilities of creative expression.

To aspiring creatives, Gus and Austin offer straightforward advice: stop overthinking and start creating. Stay true to yourself, embrace your authenticity, and believe in the power of your unique voice.

Instagram: @thepromisingcreative
TikTok: @thepromisingcreative
Twitter: @PrmisngCreative

Guest: @l_dopamagazine
@gusburgess
@dopesolitary

Cam Edwards is a producer and DJ, known to many as one half of Sigma. With roots in the underground, he has also achieved the rare feat of a string of huge Drum ’n’ Bass hits. 

After graduating from Leeds University, Cameron started working for an events agency, booking flights for massive DJs such as Chase & Status. This provided the perfect opportunity to share the music he and Joe Lenzie (soon to become Sigma) were working on with the new contacts he was forging.

After relocating to London and remixing the work of other artists, including Skepta, Sigma soon built their reputation as emerging beatmakers.

Sigma's music has always been grounded in drum’n’bass, although they’ve enjoyed massive chart success with ‘Nobody to Love’ and ‘Changing (feat. Paloma Faith)’. Their collaborations with diverse artists have expanded their creative horizons and impact. Their recent release, ‘London Sounds’, represents a return to pure D ‘n’ B sounds.

As an accomplished producer, Cam offers valuable advice to aspiring musicians and producers seeking to establish themselves in the industry. 

Meet photographer Todd Duncan. Picture this: three years ago, Tod stumbled upon a camera in a charity shop, and there occurred a spark; a moment of inspiration. Here is a photographer whose journey behind the lens began unexpectedly but has since become a storm of activity and success. 

Todd doesn't believe in reshaping or remolding his subjects' personalities. Instead, he captures the raw, unfiltered essence of individuals, preserving their emotions and personal styles in every frame. 

Todd Duncan's portfolio boasts collaborations with renowned brands such as Levis', House of Holland, and Sergio Tacchini. His artistry has breathed life into their campaigns, bringing a natural and distinctive flair to every project.

Career highlights so far? For Todd, one moment shines out: discovering that his work is now gracing the walls of schools in Japan, celebrated as a example of photography. This achievement, he admits, is both humbling and exhilarating, showcasing the potential impact art can have on people from diverse corners of the world.

For those aspiring to carve their own creative paths, Todd offers simple advice: "Do what makes you happy." Don't shy away from new experiences, even when you lack expertise, as it's through experimentation that you discover your unique style. A breakthrough may be just around the corner.