Vans Musicians Wanted seeks undiscovered talent with Bohan Phoenix & J.I.D on jury duty
Submissions are now being accepted globally
What was initially conceived as an Asia-Pacific competition, Vans Musicians Wanted has announced that it is extending its hugely popular competition that provides undiscovered musicians with a chance for their original music to be heard by a global audience. And this time, it's open to the world.
Today, Vans Musicians Wanted opened up submissions to budding artists who are looking for their big break from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe and, of course, Asia. They've also raised the stakes this year, awarding one grand prize winner the opportunity to share a stage with Vans Ambassador and Grammy award-winning artist Anderson .Paak, who will also judge the competition alongside Nilüfer Yanya, J.I.D and Bohan Phoenix.
The artist-judges will be joined by Vans’ head of Global Music Marketing, Tierney Stout. Prizes for the top five APAC entrants include performing at the Vans Musicians Wanted Virtual Concert in December this year and a distribution package through Spinnup, a service for independent artists by Universal Music Group. The grand prize winner will be decked out in some Vans gear, Fender gear, playlisted on Spotify and Apple Music by Vans, get a one-year annual distribution deal with Spinnup and be given a chance to share the stage as the opening act with Anderson .Paak in 2021.
But there is something for everyone. All entrants will receive a free single distribution provided by Spinnup, an APAC exclusive partner alongside Universal Music Group.
Representing the APAC sphere of artists, Vans has partnered with J.I.D and Bohan Phoenix, two talents that have blown up with impressive releases, videos and a die-hard fan following. The trailblazing stories of these two artists aim to serve as a catalyst for the next generation of musicians looking to come up from their bedrooms to the main stage — just like they did. Vans chose hip hop because the genre has become a distinct language of choice for young voices and these gentlemen of the mic are the inspirational pillars of this year’s Vans Musicians Wanted.
But this competition isn't just for hip hop artists. It’s for musicians. And by musicians, they mean DJs and electronic music producers alongside singers and bands. Vans is working hard at shifting the narrative surrounding the term musician to be inclusive of musicians across all genres and backgrounds.
Since inception, more than 7,000 musicians have entered the program. Like in previous years, Vans continues to solidify its stance that it is a brand that’s close to musicians and artists, representing cross-culture through sport, fashion, street and youth-based activations.
For those in APAC countries, submit your original music to Vans Musicians Wanted here before September 30.
