Mediaspec has a history of supporting young talent, whether that be emerging music acts or production facilities, or supporting educational establishments to thrive.

Today sees a new development in our support for talent as we welcome for the first time a Young Producer In Residence to the Mediaspec offices who will be with us for the week.

Glasgow-based Blair Ferguson writes and produces his own music and is beginning to make waves in the US hip-hop world by working with some of the brightest up-and-coming talent in the rap industry. At just 15 years of age that's quite something! And it was enough for Mediaspec to invite Blair to spend the week learning more about the industry.

Writing and producing under the name BLK Beats, Blair will spend the week producing music that Mediaspec can use in promotional videos, while learning about Pro Tools and other industry-standard editing tools, and visiting suppliers to gain a better understanding of the music and post-production industries.

Says Blair: "I'm really looking forward to working with Mediaspec and I'm grateful for this opportunity. I've just finished my prelims for Nat 5 certificates at Kelvinside Academy, while at the same time working on beats for acts in the States, so it's been a crazy time. Now to spend a week making music and being around the industry is just a dream come true and I can't wait to get started."

Eric Joseph, Managing Director of Mediaspec, is also excited: "There's nothing we like better than seeing talent develop, and in all the years of Mediaspec we've seen so many acts, studios and film-makers grow into big names in the industry. So to now be working with a young talent still at school is great for us. Blair already has a talent well beyond his 15 years, and we hope this will be the start of a great relationship, but will also give Blair invaluable experience of the industry."

If you'd like to hear more of BLK Beats, listen to his first official track with Californian rapper Yxng Viz, music written and produced by Blair:

https://soundcloud.com/yxngviz/yxng-viz-10-missed-calls-prod-blk-beats