Airtab Music has announced a new edition of Open for an Icon, offering an unsigned or emerging artist the chance to have three songs produced by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. The competition is tied to a forthcoming Janet Jackson concert film, though the announcement does not indicate that Jackson endorses or is participating in the contest.
The film, Janet Jackson: Control 40 – Four Decades of Hits, is directed by Leslie Small. Small and Jerkins will judge the competition alongside Airtab Music founder and CEO Dennis Cunningham.
Jerkins has worked with Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Whitney Houston, Brandy, Destiny’s Child, Lady Gaga, Sam Smith, Rosalía and SZA.
The competition also benefits Save Our Musicians Foundation, an Airtab-affiliated nonprofit that supports independent musicians through outreach, showcases, job placement assistance and music education programs. Airtab says earlier editions connected artists with performance opportunities at SunFest and the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball tour.
Submission dates, eligibility rules and further details are expected to appear on the competition’s website.
