ANNE-MARIE, GRM DAILY AND SIDEMEN'S BEHZINGA TO BE FOCUS OF YOUTUBE ORIGINALS' AUTUMN DOCUMENTARIES

FOUR-PART DOCUMENTARY SERIES 'TOGETHER WE RISE: THE UNCOMPROMISED STORY OF GRM DAILY' WILL TELL THE STORY OF HOW FOUNDER POSTY GAVE A GENERATION OF TALENT NEW OPPORTUNITIES ON YOUTUBE'S GLOBAL PLATFORM LAUNCHING ON YOUTUBE: 28th SEPTEMBER 2020 (first episode)

THREE-PART EPISODIC FILM 'HOW TO BE: BEHZINGA' WILL FOLLOW HIS JOURNEY FROM OVERWEIGHT GAMER TO ENDURANCE ATHLETE LAUNCHING ON YOUTUBE: 5th OCTOBER 2020 (first episode)

BIOPIC FILM 'HOW TO BE: ANNE-MARIE' WILL TAKE AN UNRESTRICTED LOOK AT THE SINGER DEALING WITH THE CHALLENGES OF RISING STARDOM IN THIS NEW COVID-19 WORLD LAUNCHING ON YOUTUBE: THIS AUTUMN

In Autumn 2020, YouTube Originals in the UK will release three new documentaries which represent compelling profiles of UK voices and organisations. Four-part series 'TOGETHER WE RISE: The Uncompromised story of GRM Daily' will start on YouTube 28th September (with episodes 2-4 launching 1st, 5th and 8th October respectively), three-part series How to Be: Behzinga will start on YouTube 5th October (with episodes two and three launching 8th and 12th October respectively) and feature length film How to Be: Anne-Marie is set to launch later this autumn. Further information on all three documentaries can be found below.

'TOGETHER WE RISE: The Uncompromised story of GRM Daily' is a four-part documentary telling the story of a generation through the game-changing YouTube channel, GRM Daily and its founder Posty, the young, Black, British entrepreneur who helped contribute towards giving a new generation of talent opportunities via a global platform which in turn became a benchmark for their success. Posty's story is not only a story of excellence within Black British business and culture but synonymous with Grime and Rap: seemingly from nowhere with the help of his peers, him and his team steps up and, in the face of adversity he upholds his own conviction against the odds, succeeds and continues to do so decades later.

Posty, GRM Daily founder, said: "The doc showcases the passion and hard work that has been collectively put into UK rap music to help build it to being at the forefront of British music, it's a story filled with inspiration and hope for the next generation."

The documentary series features an incredible cast including Skepta, Giggs, Stormzy, Julie Adenuga, Kano, Ghetts, Aitch, Ms Banks, JME, D Double E, Zane Lowe and Dizzee Rascal.

The three episodes of 'How to Be: Behzinga' will take a look at the man behind Behzinga ‒ Ethan Payne, best known as one of the Sidemen ‒ and his journey from overweight gamer to endurance athlete with an ultimate goal of running the London marathon. Leading up to the event, we see Ethan's vigorous routine as he trains his stamina, strength and mental endurance alongside world famous athletes. We'll also see him open up or the very first time about his incredible weight loss journey and his struggles with mental health. With the London Marathon gone virtual and the big day quickly approaching, can Ethan leave his demons behind to overcome his biggest challenge yet?

Behzinga said: "Two years ago if you'd have told me I'd be running a marathon I'd have laughed in your face. If you told me I'd be doing the stuff I've done in this doc, I would have said you're crazy. This has been one of the most eye-opening and gruelling experiences of my life. My fans and Sidemen fans know a lot about me but now the lot is laid out - we've been through it all. Pushing myself to the limits doing some epic and brutal challenges has opened me up like never before and taken me places I didn't think possible... . physically and mentally. I've experienced a lot of shit in my life, been disruptive, wild and had some dark moments, but I'm living life to the max now, I'm in a happier place and doing this docu-series has been a big part of that."

'How to Be: Anne-Marie', told by Anne-Marie, her family, friends and collaborators, will take a look at how she's emerging from this strange period during the coronavirus pandemic where the world paused in many ways and moved on in others. She's looking at "how to be" in the moment, after having time to pause, reflect and figure out what she needs right now. Throughout the film, viewers will hear from Anne-Marie's inner circle about why she holds her family and friends so close, as well as watching exclusive interviews with Anne-Marie's collaborators about her growth as an artist and her new material.

Anne-Marie said: "I let YouTube into my life over the past few months and I can't wait for you to see the finished film. I always try to be open and honest with my fans and what really excites me about this collaboration is that it's an unfiltered look into my life; from writing and recording to downtime with my friends and family. Doing what I do can be pretty fast-paced, so to have a bit more time during the lockdown to think, digest and reflect on some of my favourite moments from career to date has been both emotional and cathartic. We'll also be looking at the year ahead, which I'm so excited about."

Luke Hyams, the Head of YouTube Originals EMEA said: "YouTube's open platform has allowed creators and artists from across the UK use it to connect with fans, build a community and start a business. Anne-Marie, Behzinga and GRM Daily are three of our most powerful and inspirational stories of what's possible on the platform. With these bespoke documentaries, YouTube fans have an exclusive opportunity to look behind the scenes at their unique personal lives and challenges, history and aspirations, in a way they've never seen before. It's been fascinating to see how they each have faced up to the unique challenges that 2020 has thrown at them and continued to thrive, building a path to the future."

'How to Be' is a series of documentaries touching on the personal life, struggles and challenges of their subject and exploring their impact on UK society. The series will continue into 2021.

Production Credits

TOGETHER WE RISE: The Uncompromised story of GRM Daily is produced by Warner Music Entertainment, which is the TV and Film division of WMG led by Charlie Cohen in the US and Kate Shepherd in Europe. The show's director is Theo Williams, producer is Joss Crowley and executive producers are Kate Shepherd and Laura Collins.

How To Be: Behzinga is an Electric Robin production for YouTube Originals. Director: Kevin Batchelor; Executive Producers: Kevin Batchelor, Ross Brandon, Chris Jones; Series Producer: Barney Newman; Producer: Steven McVeigh; Assistant Producer: Larissa Moran; Editor: Kazeem Manzur; Head of Production: Jacqui Saunders; Production Managers: Claire Birch, Fergus Elphinstone.

How To Be: Anne-Marie is produced by Renowned Films. The film is directed by Sally Freeman who is also Executive Producer alongside Kate Maddigan, Tim Withers, Max Welch and Duane Jones for Renowned Films. The producer is Becky Mansell, head of production is Daniel Lilly and production manager is Nuroon Miah. Edinburgh TV Production Company of the Year, Renowned Films is a leading unscripted producer headquartered in London and LA whose credits include Backyard Envy for Bravo, Copwatch America for BET, The Cut for Redbull USA and UK, The Modern Game with David Beckham, Messi Neymar JR, Side Hustles for DAZN and Budweiser, Generation Grime for Sky, Rated Awards on Channel 4 and Broadcast Nominated Best Original series Peng Life.

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ABOUT YOUTUBE ORIGINALS

YouTube Originals are award-winning, creative and engaging scripted and unscripted series and films for fans all over the world. Spotlighting both YouTube creators alongside Hollywood's biggest stars, YouTube Originals provide an experience that only YouTube can offer. By tapping into the platform's growing global community, fan engagement capabilities, and innovative content mixed with pioneering live streamed specials, there is truly something for everybody.

ABOUT ANNE-MARIE

Anne-Marie's rise to stardom has been nothing short of meteoric. A former 3 x world karate champion and West End child star, the Essex-born pop phenomenon has quickly grown to become one of the globe's most-loved and successful musical exports; a modern-day artist whose music and personality perfectly meshes together wit, strength and celebration, amplifying a message of self-love. Since bursting onto the scene in 2016, Anne-Marie has remained a key figure within the pop sphere. Prior to the release of two million-selling debut album 'Speak Your Mind', she released a slew of global hit singles, including four UK Top 10's, which saw her become a staple name in the charts' upper echelons: her breakthrough 'Alarm'; the Clean Bandit and Sean Paul collaboration 'Rockabye' [the official UK Christmas No.1 in 2016]; 'Ciao Adios'; friendzone anthem and Marshmello collaboration 'FRIENDS'; as well as the nostalgic Ed Sheeran co-write "2002". A home to her playfully infectious pop and idiosyncratic storytelling, 'Speak Your Mind' debuted at No.3 in the UK's Official Album Chart upon its release in 2018 and subsequently saw Anne-Marie crowned as the UK's biggest-selling debut artist of the same year. Off the back of the album, Anne-Marie secured further high-profile collaborations including James Arthur for 'Rewrite the Stars', taken from 'The Great Showman: Reimagined' soundtrack, and Lauv on 'f*ck, I'm lonely'. Not to mention a global support tour with Ed Sheeran across the UK, Europe and North America on his record-breaking Divide run, alongside a course of sold-out, global headline shows that culminated with two sold-out Hammersmith Eventim Apollo shows last year. Newly-announced as a Mind Charity ambassador, 2020 saw Anne-Marie return with her storming comeback anthem 'Birthday'. A track that's reaped more than 120 million global streams since its release in February, it secured huge support from partners across the globe including her home market, where it enjoyed A List rotation across Capital and Radio 1 alongside a spread of TV appearances and front covers with Glamour, The Observer and Gay Times. In addition to the single, A-M dropped her sentimental ballad, 'Her, direct to her fans shortly after and most recently, she unleashed her Doja Cat collaboration, 'To Be Young'. A true testament to her loveable personality and mighty talent, over her career to date, Anne-Marie has become a BRITs Critics Choice finalist; Nordoff Robbins 'Best Newcomer' winner; 9 x BRIT Award nominee [the most nominated act at 2019's ceremony]; an official ambassador of The Princes Trust and MIND charity; Stylist Magazine 'Artist of the Year'; Royal Academy of the Arts committee member + more.

ABOUT GRM DAILY

GRM Daily is the epicentre of black British music culture in the UK. Founded in 2009, the platform is renowned as an influential launch pad for the country's emerging and established talent. More than just a YouTube channel, GRM's capabilities include advertising campaigns, content production, event production, creative consulting and so much more. The platform has a deep understanding of how to engage with its users, with over 3 billion YouTube views, 3 million subscribers and a combined social reach of over 2.3 million. It is the most viewed urban music channel and website in the UK.

ABOUT BEHZINGA

Born Ethan Payne, Behzinga is one of the UKs most popular YouTubers with over five million subscribers across his two YouTube Channels and millions of fans and followers on all major social media platforms. He is one seventh and a founding member of The Sidemen who have collectively amassed 25+ billion views on YouTube. Ethan was born in East London in 1995 and grew up without a father figure in his life. He was exactly what his mother Ruth wanted, "a mischievous little boy". Bursting with energy and creativity he was a disruptive pupil at school and regularly got into trouble. As a teenager Ethan also had to deal with his mum surviving cancer. Making it through school he channeled his energies into games development at college and even more so in his bedroom where his YouTube career took off. Fast becoming a personality in the online gaming community, he dubbed himself Behzinga and became synonymous for his cheeky chappy personality and infectious laugh. It wasn't long until the stars aligned with JJ, Josh, Tobi, Simon, Harry & Vik - The Sidemen were formed. Being overweight and growing up without a father figure have been two reasons why Behzinga has been on the receiving end of many jokes. With a turbulent past behind him, a career taking off and the pressures of a high volume of videos to upload along with his perfectionist nature it all became too much. Behzinga experienced negative thoughts and undiagnosed depression and in a 2020 video revealed he contemplated ending it all. It was an eagerly awaited boxing match that never actually happened that took Behzinga on a fitness journey, transforming his life, his mental wellbeing and his attitude towards life. In two years, Behzinga had lost 30KG and became as synonymous for health and fitness as he is for gaming and Sidemen videos. In early 2020 it was revealed a YouTube Originals docu-series, 'How To Be: Behzinga' was to be made all about his life whilst also focusing on the biggest ever challenge - running The London Marathon for Teenage Cancer Trust.