Change the Beat targets 1,500 label signings for women & gender expansive artists by 2036
The non-profit is scaling its Remix Contest & launching a new Demo Room initiative to reach its goal; open to artists worldwide
Change the Beat has announced new milestones as it enters its next phase of growth. The global non-profit aims to place 300 women and gender-expansive artists with labels within two years, 600 within five, and 1,500 within ten.
The target builds on more than 100 signings the organisation has facilitated since its founding; the initiatives are open to a global audience.
Change the Beat is a global non-profit focused on representation in electronic music. Founded by artist and producer Sydney Blu, it launched in 2021 as 23by23 with backing from Native Instruments and in partnership with Beatport.
The organisation runs education, mentorship, industry access, live events, and release programmes for women and gender-expansive artists. It has grown into a community of over 1,200 members and facilitated more than 100 label signings to date, with alumni releasing on Armada, Drumcode, Anjunadeep, Anjunabeats, Toolroom, Insomniac Records, HE.SHE.THEY, Dirtybird, and REALM.
Its next phase centres on two programmes. The recently relaunched Remix Contest gives emerging artists official remix and release opportunities in partnership with labels, including SIPPY and DeadBeats, with Westend, Trace Amounts, and Sara Landry's HEKATE Records confirmed next.
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Artists connected through the programme have worked on projects tied to deadmau5, Nicole Moudaber, Eli & Fur, Maya Jane Coles, and Crystal Waters, among others.
The Demo Room is a new initiative in which participating labels share their sound and A&R priorities, and artists submit music directly for feedback from industry decision-makers.
Together with Going Global, its artist development track, these programmes support the organisation's new milestones.
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Sydney Blu comments: "Over the course of my career, I've learned that talent alone isn't always enough. Artists need access to mentorship, industry relationships, education, and opportunities to be seen and heard. Change the Beat was created to help provide those pathways."
She adds: "We're not here simply to talk about the challenges facing women and gender expansive artists - we're here to be part of the solution. Our focus is on creating real opportunities through education, mentorship, industry access, and artist development. Every signing, mentorship, contest winner, showcase slot, and industry introduction helps move the needle and creates a stronger future for the next generation of artists."
Learn more about Change the Beat here.
Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.
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