MUMBAI: In his show on Friday 10 April, BBC Asian Network presenter Yasser announced that the station will be showcasing the best current and emerging British-Asian artists at the BBC’s Maida Vale studios in front of an intimate audience.

Taking place on Wednesday 29 April, the showcase will be hosted by Asian Network presenters and champions of new music, Yasser, Kan D Man and DJ Limelight. And the performances will be broadcast in their shows later that week.

Mark Strippel, Head of programmes for BBC Asian Network, says, "This New Music Showcase is part of the Asian Network and BBC Introducing’s commitment to championing emerging British-Asian talent, bringing artists and bands to a wider audience and supporting their development."

Registration to apply for the limited number of tickets is now open. Registration closes on Saturday 18 April at midnight.

The artist/bands performing are:

Zack Knight, an exciting British Asian singer and songwriter who first started out writing for household names such as Tinie Tempah and Ginuwine.

Jay Kadn (formerly known as Junai Kaden), the latest multi-talented musician to hit the British Asian music scene. He has achieved two No. 1 world iTunes hits with ‘Aaja Mere Naal’ (Come With Me) and ‘Nai Chaida Tera Pyaar’ (Don’t Need Your Love).

TazZz, a British rapper and music producer who recently had a top 3 hit with ‘Ayaan’ in the official Asian download chart.

Raphaella, a singer-songwriter of Persian, English and Scottish heritage. Her Reload Sessions have accumulated over half a million YouTube plays to date.

The 107, a Birmingham-based harmony group who specialise in R&B and pop.

Cold Fever, a 23-year-old London-based producer who makes 'desi reggae' and electronic music.

Inayik & Waeck. Inayik is a Birmingham-based poet with a really unique flow, and mostly collaborates with childhood friend and music producer Waeck.

Steel Banglez, a multi-talented producer born and raised in the heart of the East End. He plays a number of Indian classical instruments, has studied electronic music production and has produced for a number of acclaimed UK Asian and Urban artists.

Their performances at the showcase will be played during Yasser, Kan D Man and DJ Limelight’s specialist music shows on the BBC Asian Network on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 May, then heard in shows across the network from Monday 4 May. Also as part of the showcase, some of acts will be collaborating together on a brand new track, written/led by producer Steel Banglez, which will be available as a free download on BBC website.

The majority of the bands and artists who are performing have uploaded their music via BBC Introducing, with others sending it direct to BBC Asian Network. Tracks from all the acts have been played on Yasser, Kan D Man and DJ Limelight’s shows across the past few months.

Additionally, launching in Tommy Sandhu’s show (6-10am) from Monday 20 April and throughout that week, the network is running a VIP ticket competition for one person, plus five of their friends, to attend a special pre-show performance by Zack Knight and Jay Kadn at Maida Vale ahead of the main showcase.

BBC Asian Network is a national digital radio station that broadcasts to an average audience of 619,000 listeners a week. The network provides speech and music programmes that appeal to anyone interested in British Asian lifestyles. The station broadcasts the best in Bollywood and Bhangra music, as well a whole host of other music genres, and also provides a platform for new and emerging artists. Asian Network also broadcasts news, discussion programmes and documentaries that reflect British Asian arts and culture.

With over 500,000 tracks uploaded to the BBC Introducing website and 130,000 artists registered since its launch in 2007, it provides a network dedicated to supporting the best emerging talent from across the UK and a platform to propel them onto the national stage through Radio 1, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music and the Asian Network, plus giving up-and-coming artists broadcast opportunities on BBC Radio, Television and Online alongside the chance to perform at major festivals and showcases. Over 500 acts have performed for BBC Introducing at major UK festivals since its launch.