Change The Beat pledges 300 label opportunities for women and gender expansive artists by 2028
The non-profit organisation has also committed to extending the initiative to 600 artists within five years and 1,500 artists within a decade
Change The Beat has announced plans to provide 300 label opportunities for women and gender-expansive artists in electronic music over the next two years.
The non-profit organisation, founded by DJ Sydney Blu , will work towards this goal through education initiatives, mentorship, industry connections, live events and release programmes, creating pathways for marginalised artists to connect with labels and industry professionals.
Change The Beat says it has already facilitated more than 100 label opportunities and signings, with plans to build on that progress by supporting 600 artists within five years and 1,500 within a decade.
In a press statement, Blu shared: “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.”
The announcement follows the recent relaunch of the organisation’s Remix Contest Programme, the launch of The Demo Room, a new initiative designed to connect emerging artists with labels through submissions, feedback and industry access, and its artist development programme, Going Global.
Blu launched Change The Beat in 2021 under the name 23by23 , in partnership with Beatport and with support from Native Instruments, before it later developed into a global artist development platform. It has since grown into a community of more than 1,200 members and hosted over 30 events across Ibiza, Miami, Toronto, New York, Montreal and San Francisco.
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 fall in gender diversity on 2026 line-ups.
