‘See where my name can go': The push to find fresh musical talent in the suburbs

The Age

30-07-2025

Anthony Collin Prasad, better known as ACP, only needs to hear a few seconds of a beat, and he'll be able to spit endless bars completely off the cuff. He freestyles so well, in fact, that legendary US producer Scott Storch – who has worked with Beyonce, Dr Dre and 50 Cent – offered to collaborate with him earlier this year.
The Ashwood-based artist has only racked up a few thousand streams on Spotify. But that may be about to change.
ACP is one of four artists selected for this year's GRID series, a six-month development program aimed at boosting emerging talent from outer suburban and regional areas of Australia – areas historically under-resourced and overlooked by the music industry.
'It feels like a full-circle moment,' ACP says. 'I'll get to learn so much about the industry, and get to work with so many people – award-winners and teams with all these accolades on top of them … I want to see where my name can go.'
Following a successful 2024 program in Geelong, this year's GRID focuses on South-East Melbourne talent, including ACP and fellow emerging artists Martha, Kiid Koda and Jordz. The four musicians will each be paired with an industry professional who will teach them the business – which ACP says is rife with 'gatekeeping' – and support them as they produce singles, film their own documentary narrative and perform live.
The opportunity to be connected with someone embedded in the industry is invaluable for ACP, whose local area of Ashwood lacks the infrastructure – such as studio recording spaces – and open networks to help thrust young, talented people into the big leagues.
'The music industry can be a beautiful wreck sometimes,' he says. 'Getting yourself and your music out there, it's a beautiful cycle. But it can also be delayed by people who don't want to help others.'
Martha Kulang, who goes by Martha, experienced this first-hand when beginning her music career. The 25-year-old Narre Warren local – who traverses several genres such as Afro R&B, dancehall and rap – says a lack of networks and resources dampen an artist's confidence.