A British homegrown urban music project taking its succesful formula and setting its sights on the US.

The grass roots project called the London Urban Collective gives 30 young people from areas of urban regeneration the chance to write, record and promote their own album with the help of music industry mentors, guest artists and producers.

The results are taking the public and the music industry by storm. As well as breaking new artists, Urban Collective offers young talent a genuine opportunity to train and develop creatively under expert guidance a privilege often out of reach.

The latest group of rappers, singers and producers have released a record which bursts with creative energy and raw talent.

Called London Urban Collective II, it also featured guest appearences by artists like JME, Skinnyman, Gemma Fox, James Pyke, and soulstress Shola Ama.

She told the Times: "Working with this project was so exciting because the buzz and atmosphere was so tangible. The girls I was working with are very talented and it's fantastic that a project like this gives them a professional environment to explore their creativity and launch their careers.

Now, the team behind the collective are hoping to do the same in New York and work with 30 people from Queens and South Bronx.

Project founder Harry Leckstein said: "Music is an international business and the UK is a powerful exporter in that market. Grass roots development is where it always begins and where real talent from any background emerges."

There have been many success stories on this year's collective already. Out of the people involved with the project James Pyke is now the presenter on a new Channel 4 late night music show, and Jide Johnstone won a character role in the new BBC film Life and Lyrics. Other performers have secured places at the British Academy of Music and contracts with music management companies.

For more information visit www.londonurbancollective.com.