Studio Time For Rap In Bolton

B-SHAF’s Access Bursary - Bolton

Who was involved

Artist: Bilal Shafiq, who performs as B-SHAF

Location: Bolton

Support: GM Arts Access Bursary via Bolton Council

What we set out to do

The GM Arts Access Bursaries in Bolton were created to remove some of the everyday financial barriers that stop artists from taking up creative opportunities. Small amounts of support can make a big difference, especially for artists who balance paid work with family responsibilities and the cost of living.

This case study focuses on Bolton based musician and rapper B-SHAF and how a modest bursary translated into studio time, new recordings and a growing audience.

What happened

Artist B-SHAF has pioneered what he describes as halal rap that aligns with his Muslim faith while bringing a message of positivity to listeners. His music is about his personal journey and carries an Islamic message and, as he puts it, "It is for everyone".

Through the Bolton Access Bursaries scheme, B-SHAF was awarded funding that he used to buy much needed studio time. This meant he could:

• Book professional studio sessions rather than trying to fit recording around limited home set up time

• Work with producers to record tracks to a standard that sits comfortably alongside other music on radio and streaming platforms

• Release new music more quickly, keeping momentum with his audience

The bursary came at a point where B-SHAF was gaining recognition locally and regionally. In April 2025 he was named BBC Introducing Artist of the Week, which brought a surge of interest in his work.

Being able to follow that attention with high quality recordings has been important for building on that platform.

What difference did it make

For B-SHAF, the bursary was about more than a few days in a studio. It shifted what felt possible:

"What that allows me to do is to get songs professionally recorded, and then they are uploaded straight away onto my channels and the likes of BBC Introducing."

Studio time is expensive, particularly for an artist who is also supporting a family:

"It is really nice to have received a bursary. Studio time is really expensive. Even when I am working and earning a salary, that money can otherwise go on the kids, house, food."

Having the costs covered created space for him to focus on the creative work rather than constantly juggling budgets.

The process of applying also felt accessible and encouraging:

"Applying for the bursary was easy. It was the first time I had applied for anything like that."

This matters for artists who might be put off by formal funding processes. A light touch, supportive application opened the door for B-SHAF to try something new in how he resources his practice.

A glimpse of wider impact

While this case study centres B-SHAF, he is one of several artists in Bolton to benefit from Access Bursaries.

One visual artist used their bursary to experiment with a new medium in their fibre art. They describe the impact like this:

"The main benefit of the bursary was that it gave me the opportunity to try a new medium and add a depth to my fibre artistry... I already have students asking to learn some of the techniques I learnt on this course."

For artists, small targeted support has led to:

• New skills and approaches in their practice

• Work that is ready to share with audiences, students and commissioners

• Increased confidence in applying for opportunities in future

What we are learning

From B-SHAF and other recipients we can see that:

• Cost of specialist space and training remains a major barrier. Covering studio time or course fees unlocks development that would otherwise be pushed behind everyday bills.

• Accessible processes matter. Simple, friendly application routes encourage artists who have never applied for funding before.

• Impact travels further than the individual. New recordings, new techniques and new confidence ripple out to audiences, students and local networks.

Where next?

The Bolton Access Bursaries show how relatively small investments can create tangible shifts in artists lives and work. B SHAF now has professionally recorded tracks that reflect his vision for halal rap and can stand alongside other work on platforms like BBC Introducing. Other recipients are already passing on new techniques to their own students.