Change The Beat has announced a target to facilitate 300 label opportunities for women and gender-expansive artists in electronic music by 2028. The non-profit, founded by DJ and producer Sydney Blu, will pursue the goal through education, mentorship, industry connections, live events and release programmes, all aimed at creating pathways for marginalized artists to connect with labels and professionals.
The organization says it has already enabled more than 100 label opportunities and signings. It plans to scale that work to support 600 artists within five years and 1,500 within a decade.
Founder’s statement
Blu said: “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 added: “We’re not here to just 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 builds a stronger future for the next generation of artists.”
Recent programmes
The pledge follows the relaunch of the organization’s Remix Contest Programme, the introduction of The Demo Room (a submission and feedback platform connecting emerging artists with industry), and the Going Global artist development programme.
Change The Beat launched in 2021 as 23by23, in partnership with Beatport and with support from Native Instruments, before evolving into a global artist development platform. It now counts a community of more than 1,200 members and has hosted over 30 events across Ibiza, Miami, Toronto, New York, Montreal and San Francisco.
Wider landscape
Earlier this month, Saffron announced the return of its artist development programme for Black women and gender diverse music creators. In February, UK collective NOT BAD FOR A GIRL (NBFG) published an open letter condemning the decline in gender diversity on 2026 festival line-ups.
