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Girls I Rate announces A&R event for female songwriters
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 26 April 2017
Girls I Rate and Island Records have announced that they will hold the #GetHeard A&R Weekender next month, offering 100 women aged 16-30 the chance to get their music heard by industry professionals.
Founded last year, Girls I Rate aims to improve opportunities for women within the creative industries. This event will be held at the London headquarters of PRS For Music, an organisation whose female membership still only accounts for 16% of the total number of songwriters for whom it collects royalties.
Taking place at on 6 May, it will be hosted by Girls I Rate founder and Beyonce songwriter Carla Marie Williams, Capital Xtra DJ Manny Norte and Lily Allen. Two panels will listen to the music on offer and provide feedback, while the day will end with a networking session hosted by BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Sian Anderson.
Says Williams: “My mission is to engage with as many young females as possible, to break down stereotypes and assumptions in the creative industry and help give young women opportunities by pushing for more equality and diversity within the creative industry! I also want to empower young females to believe anything is possible. This is why events such as #GetHeard are so imperative”.
PRS Executive Director Of Membership And International, Karen Buse adds: “Girls I Rate is an exciting and much-needed initiative, and I am proud that PRS For Music will be hosting the #GetHeard Weekender. So many young women can be put off entering what often feels like a male-dominated industry, so it’s invaluable to have organisations such as Girls I Rate to break down stereotypes and really support and champion new talent”.
Meanwhile, discussing his company’s involvement in the event, Island Records President Darcus Beeses says: “It has always been important for us at Island to champion women in all areas of the industry; from the incredible artists we have worked with over the years, including Amy Winehouse and PJ Harvey, to the powerful women in key positions at the label. Girls I Rate is a fantastic initiative that we need to be a part of. At a time where the music industry is experiencing growth again, we need more open discussions like #GetHeard to continue striving for equality and diversity every day. We still have a lot of work to do”.
To apply to attend, submit SoundCloud links of your music to ArtsAcademy@girlsIrate.com by end of today.
