Vanessa Maria

Vanessa Maria champions music and mental health as a Speaker, DJ, Presenter and former Mental Health Representative at Bristol University. Following on from a Psychology degree, she successfully led campaigns around student mental health. Now working in development at the BBC, she merges her work in media with activism, combining her love for music with her drive to advocate around health & well-being. First making her mark in music on 1020 radio, she began using her platform to share her love for underground Trap, Rap and Drill. In the club, Vanessa’s sets showcase sounds from around the world, infusing high-energy Baile Funk rhythms with everything from Afro-Trap to Hard Drum. Having worked with the BBC, BBC 1xtra, VICE, Channel 4, gal-dem, Mixcloud, Boiler room, Notion magazine, Foundation FM, Eric Festival, 1020 Radio and Creative Access, Vanessa is dedicated to mental health advocacy in music, media and beyond.