ABOUT
Flames Collective is like no other music act in the UK right now. It is a choir, a talent incubator, and a philanthropic endeavour. Made up of 15 to 21-year-olds, the large group of over 50 diverse inner-city musicians creates a unique pathway to artistry. It has become what Musical Director Andy Gilbert describes as “one of the industry’s best-kept secrets”.
You may not have heard of them, but you will have heard them. They were the impressive choral backdrop for Raye’s triumphant performance at the BRITs the same night as her historic wins. The group formed a close relationship with the singer after a recording session where they provided backing vocals for Raye’s little sister Abby, afterwards Raye’s father called Gilbert to invite Flames Collective to sing on Glastonbury’s legendary Pyramid Stage, then her one-night orchestral takeover of the Royal Albert Hall and her appearance on the Jonathan Ross Show. “She’s like an aunt to them. Raye has said she would’ve loved to be in the group when she was younger,” adds Gilbert. The singer’s battles navigating the industry have been well-documented. “The Flames singers really connect with her music, and you can see that when they sing.” With a core group of 30 vocalists who attend rehearsals on Tuesday evenings, alumni are called on for larger performances, offering experience and peer support to the younger members navigating new opportunities.
This is not their first kudos from chart-topping musicians and luminaries in entertainment. They’ve collaborated and performed with ‘My Hood’ singer and star of BBC’s musical drama series Champion, RAY BLK, rapper Kojey Radical, Grace Carter, and Mercury Prize nominee Jake Bugg – they even appeared on a cover version of ‘Proud Mary’ for the BAFTA-winning film Rocks (2019).
Flames Collective was designed as a talent programme by the charity UD Music. Since its inception in the late ‘90s by director and co-founder Pamela McCormick, the organisation has existed to steer and champion diversity, helping Wretch32, Little Simz, Ghetts, Skepta and Paigey Cakey along the way. “Back then Black music didn’t have the same access to stages. It needed more structure and development,” she explains. When working with professional artists they also gain valuable mentorship. “We want to create opportunities for young people who may not have the resources or a network”. There have been several iterations of it. At one point it was called UD Vocal Collective, led by Sherelle ‘ShezAr’ McKenzie and Natalie Maddix who then formed House Gospel Choir, and featuring Labrinth at the start of his musical career. Now operating under a different name, and headed up by Gilbert, the group benefits from weekly sessions, tutoring through songwriting camps, yearly recording sessions and regular gigs. The mentorship mirrors how the industry works, sharing tips on how to build a fanbase via your online presence and clarifies their ambitions so they’re put forward for work that fits their vision. Demonstrating the programme’s effectiveness with talent development, former member Amie Blu, is now signed to 0207 Def Jam.
Using the analogy of a football team with the Flames Collective being a ‘squad’, each job is decided based on the artists’ level of commitment, readiness, and their vocal style, in line with the specific briefs from potential collaborators. “Not everybody will be on the pitch,” explains Gilbert. That being said, when it comes to their EP, FaceTime, most of the group had a hand in producing, singing and writing. “It’s important they feel like they’ve got ownership of the group,” he adds.
With over 50 artists in the group, the writing process is unconventional. With leading guest songwriters on hand to support songwriting camps (previous contributors include Ray BLK, Grammy nominee Taneisha Jackson & Amaria BB). Gilbert largely guides the process and gives them prompts to develop soul-bearing lyricism. ‘Unfold’ is a highlight of the EP for him. “It’s about how much of yourself you show when you’re in a relationship for the first time and how much you let somebody in,” he says. It has a mix of emotional solos and group harmonies. That contrasts with other tracks like ‘Just One Minute’ a song about romantic yearning that oscillates between the ensemble chorus and rapped verses over a looped ska-inflected melody, or ‘Breathing’ with its club-ready beat which finishes with a bold crescendo of garage production.
For young singers, the collective instils them with self-belief. Each of them has a heartwarming story of how the group is helping them mature as an artist. Ruby, 20, was scared to take to the stage at the BRITs but has been training regularly for such a moment to arise. Twenty-one-year-old Promise, who auditioned to join at 14, says having peer support has been invaluable. “It’s so nice to have someone who believes in you,” she says. Over time she’s watched her friends fine tune whether they are more of a lead vocalist, backing singer, or songwriters in a safe but kinetic experimental environment. Victoria, 17, says she’s valued the “constructive criticism” that means her “calibre of work has had crazy growth”. “We don’t argue and if you make mistakes no one laughs. We’re all just individual artists trying to make it in this industry, and it doesn’t feel so lonely or scary.” From the moment Nayana’s feet touched the Pyramid Stage and saw the crowd’s reaction she’s been laser-focused on becoming a successful solo artist, releasing her own EP and gaining a spot on the Cross the Tracks as an emerging artist on a billing that includes Erykah Badu and BADBADNOTGOOD. “This has been surreal,” she adds.
“I think these days schools and universities can wrap young people in cotton wool and they leave without real life experiences,” Gilbert adds. “Giving young talent meaningful experiences is what UD is all about” says Pamela McCormick. “The Talent House has given our community of Black creative talent a hub and a home to connect, collaborate and create incredible music. They benefit from UD’s wider family in music and media who offer practical advice, real life guidance and game changing opportunities, whether it’s performing with RAYE or getting a first job in the industry – and, importantly, they’re always paid.”
Having wowed the All Points East main stage and NFL Half Time show with RAYE, collaborations in 2025 include recording vocals for releases with Ed Sheeran (‘Camera Unplugged’), Absolutely (‘I Don’t Know Your Yet – Choral Version’) and Sasha Keable’s Apple Music Sessions. Other content sessions with Skye Newman, James Vickery, Hillari and Cian Ducrot have further expanded their repertoire. With more new music in the works and their headline Christmas show at EartH demonstrating new levels of showmanship, trust Flames to keep firing in 2026.
Meet the Members
Flames Collective is like no other music act in the UK right now. Made up of 15 to 21-year-olds, the large group of diverse inner-city musicians creates a unique pathway to artistry.
