Change the Beat pledges 300 label signings for women and gender expansive electronic artists by 2028

Change the Beat, the global non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women and gender expansive artists in electronic music, has announced new milestones focused on increasing representation across the industry. Founded by electronic music artist, producer and industry professional Sydney Blu, the organisation creates pathways for artists through education, mentorship, industry access, live events and release programmes. Its objective is to increase the percentage of women and gender expansive artists signed to electronic music labels by creating meaningful routes to label opportunities. As part of this next phase, Change the Beat aims to support 300 artists in securing label opportunities by 2028.

Change the Beat Sets New Signing Goals

Alongside its target of supporting 300 women and gender expansive artists within two years, Change the Beat aims to support 600 artists within five years and 1,500 artists within ten years. The organisation has already facilitated more than 100 label opportunities and signings, while building a community of more than 1,200 members.

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.

“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.”

Originally launched in 2021 as 23by23, with the support of Native Instruments and in partnership with Beatport, the organisation has since evolved into an international artist development platform. Alumni have gone on to release music with labels including Armada, Drumcode, Anjunadeep, Anjunabeats, Toolroom, Insomniac Records, HE.SHE.THEY, Dirtybird, mau5trap and REALM.

Remix Contest Programme and The Demo Room

Following the recent relaunch of its flagship Remix Contest Programme, Change the Beat will also launch The Demo Room, a new initiative designed to increase access to label opportunities and strengthen connections between emerging artists and the electronic music industry.

The recently relaunched Remix Contest Programme builds on a proven model that has created official remix and release opportunities for emerging artists in collaboration with leading electronic music labels and artists. Since its relaunch, the programme has partnered with SIPPY and DeadBeats, with upcoming collaborations including Westend and Trace Amounts, alongside Sara Landry’s HEKATE Records.

Previous partners include Drumcode, mau5trap, Armada, Anjunadeep, Anjunabeats, HE.SHE.THEY, Insomniac Records, Nervous Records and Toolroom Records. Artists connected to the programme have worked on projects involving deadmau5, Nicole Moudaber, Eli & Fur, Crystal Waters, Ultra Naté, Maya Jane Coles, DJ Minx, VNSSA, Giorgia Angiuli and Azzecca.

The Demo Room will see participating labels showcase their sound and A&R priorities, giving the Change the Beat community a direct route to submit music, receive feedback and connect with industry decision-makers.

Expanding Access Across Electronic Music

Sydney Blu shares:

“We’ve already helped facilitate more than 100 label signings, but we’re only getting started. The goal of 300 signings by 2028 is ambitious by design, but it’s also achievable because we’re creating opportunities every month through our Remix Contest Programme, The Demo Room, and artist development programmes like Going Global.

“We’ve already seen labels, artists, managers, brands, and industry partners rally behind this mission, and many have discovered incredibly talented artists through our community. We invite the wider electronic music industry to join us in creating more pathways, more opportunities, and a stronger future for the next generation of talent.”

Through workshops, masterclasses, mentorship, club events, industry partnerships and career development programmes, Change the Beat provides artists with practical support across music production, DJ performance, branding and music business. The organisation continues to expand its activities through events, showcases and educational programmes across the UK, US, Canada and Europe, creating further opportunities for women and gender expansive artists to develop their careers and connect with the global electronic music industry.

With the relaunch of its flagship Remix Contest Programme, the introduction of The Demo Room and its artist development programme Going Global, Change the Beat is continuing to expand its work creating greater access to label opportunities for women and gender expansive electronic music artists. Through its growing network of artists, educators, labels and industry partners, the organisation invites the electronic music community to support its mission of building a more inclusive and sustainable future for the next generation of talent.