Change The Beat

Founded by electronic music artist and producer Sydney Blu, Change the Beat was established to address the underrepresentation of women and gender-expansive artists in electronic music. 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, building a community of more than 1,200 members and facilitating over 100 label opportunities and signings. 

 

A global non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting women and gender-expansive artists in electronic music, it recently announced new milestones focused on increasing representation across electronic music, with the objective of raising the percentage of women and gender-expansive artists signed to electronic music labels by creating meaningful routes to label opportunities. 

The organisation aims to support 300 women and gender-expansive artists in securing label opportunities within two years, 600 artists within five years, and 1,500 artists within 10 years.

Sydney Blu: “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."

 

Following the recent relaunch of its flagship Remix Contest Programme, the organisation 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 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.

 

Sydney Blu: “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, the organisation provides artists with practical support across music production, DJ performance, branding, and the music business. It continues to expand its activities through events, showcases and educational programmes across the UK, the 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.

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