New Skool Rules

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MoveMasterz 2026

Big congratz to the solo battle winner l🏆

Big congratz to the group showcase winners the girls of .minis 🏆

Baep presents: Z**I (CA) ✨

With a soulful voice, raw lyricism and hypnotic melodies, Z**I brings a sound that effortlessly blends R&B and hip-hop into something deeply personal and emotionally powerful.

Based in Calgary, the singer-songwriter stands out through her honest storytelling, smooth delivery and unique musical identity — creating records that feel both intimate and unforgettable.

📍 Catch Z**I live during New Skool Rules 2026 in Rotterdam.

**i

Helping creatives turn ideas into reality through the power of community and crowdfunding.

Mies Koppelmans (NL) works with Voordekunst, the leading crowdfunding platform for the creative sector in the Netherlands. Through Voordekunst, more than 8,000 creative projects have already been successfully funded with the support of both private and corporate backers.

As advisor and campaign coach, Mies supports artists and creators before and during their crowdfunding journeys — helping them build strong campaigns, connect with audiences, and bring creative ideas to life.

📍 Join us in Rotterdam 22–24 May.

Always tuned in to the sounds, artists and trends shaping the next wave of Dutch music culture.

Lorenzo Romeo (NL) is responsible for the music selection at FunX, where he continuously scouts the right sounds and emerging artists that connect with the station’s identity and audience. He is also actively involved with FunX Talent, the platform dedicated to discovering and giving visibility to the next generation of musical talent in the Netherlands.

📍 Join us in Rotterdam 22–24 May.

Blending Afrocentric soul, storytelling, culture and media into one powerful voice.

Augustina “MS.ABA” Austin (NL/GH) is a Ghanaian-born singer-songwriter, broadcaster, presenter and cultural curator whose work is deeply rooted in heritage, identity and connection. Inspired by artists such as Lauryn Hill, Asa and Kojo Antwi, her music blends soulful melodies with West African rhythms and gospel influences, sung in English, Pidgin English and Twi.

Beyond music, MS.ABA is known for her work in media and her dedication to amplifying and uniting the African diaspora in the Netherlands through culture, storytelling and live experiences. She also serves as chairwoman of Epitome Entertainment, where she contributes to talent development, cultural programming and creative empowerment within the music industry.

📍 Join us in Rotterdam 22–24 May and connect with artists and industry leaders from around the world.

One of the UK’s R&B tastemakers is coming to New Skool Rules 2026 🔥

Smooth Fuego is a DJ, presenter, event manager and artist manager whose platform 360RnB has played a big role in breaking both UK and international R&B artists. From hosting the BBC 1Xtra Talent R&B show to guest mixes on BBC 1Xtra, Kiss Fresh and Capital Xtra, Smooth continues to shape and elevate the modern R&B scene.

Through 360RnB, he has organized groundbreaking concerts and campaigns, including major UK events and launches for artists such as Cherrie, Amaal and Eric Bellinger — while continuing to connect audiences with the next wave of R&B talent worldwide.

📍 Join us in Rotterdam 22–24 May.

Bridging culture, strategy, and global music markets through nearly two decades of industry experience.

Dev Tejwani (US) is a music industry veteran, marketing operator, and culture strategist whose work spans grassroots artist communities, producer platforms, major artist ecosystems, and international market development. Over the past 17 years, he has worked with companies and platforms including TeamBackPack, BeatStars, Beatclub, Mass Appeal, Nas, and Timbaland, helping shape artist growth, audience strategy, and cultural positioning across multiple markets.

From launching initiatives in India to building connections between artists, operators, and industry leaders worldwide, Dev’s work focuses on understanding how culture moves — and how artists and music companies can turn momentum into long-term impact. Through his platform Beyond Crossover, he continues helping creatives navigate the intersection of music, branding, strategy, and global expansion.

📍 Join us in Rotterdam 22–24 May and connect with industry leaders shaping the future of music.

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A leading force behind the growth and international connection of the urban music industry in Europe for over 20 years!

Henca Maduro (NL) is the co-founder and CEO of New Skool Rules — Europe’s largest urban music conference and showcase festival, bringing together artists and industry professionals from more than 27 countries. With over 150 showcases, panels, workshops, networking events, writing camps, demo listening sessions, and more, New Skool Rules has grown into an international platform for talent development, knowledge sharing, and cultural exchange.

Beyond New Skool Rules, Henca has led urban talent development foundation Epitome Entertainment for more than two decades, continuously investing in artists, creatives, and global industry connections. Driven by the belief that “your network is your net worth,” she has built a powerful international network dedicated to opening doors and creating long-term opportunities within the music industry.

📍 Join us in Rotterdam 22–24 May and connect with industry leaders shaping the future of music.

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