Change The Beat Sets Target of 300 Label Signings For Women and Gender Expansive Electronic Artists By 2028

The non-profit has revealed ambitious new plans alongside the launch of its latest industry initiative, 'The Demo Room'.

Change The Beat has announced an ambitious new pledge to help secure 300 label signings for women and gender expansive electronic artists by 2028, as the global non-profit expands its mission to tackle underrepresentation across the dance music industry.

Founded by producer and DJ Sydney Blu, the organisation is entering a new phase focused on creating clearer pathways into the music industry through education, mentorship, artist development, live events and direct label access. Beyond its initial target of 300 signings within two years, Change The Beat also aims to facilitate 600 label opportunities within five years and 1,500 within the next decade.

"Over the course of my career, I've learned that talent alone isn't always enough," says Sydney Blu. "Artists need access to mentorship, industry relationships, education, and opportunities to be seen and heard. 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."

Alongside the announcement, Change The Beat has unveiled 'The Demo Room', a new initiative designed to connect emerging artists directly with labels and A&R teams. Participating labels will introduce their sound and signing priorities before inviting submissions from the organisation's community, creating opportunities for feedback, industry connections and potential releases.

The programme builds on the success of Change The Beat's recently relaunched Remix Contest Programme, which has already partnered with labels including DeadBeats and Sara Landry's HEKATE Records, with further collaborations planned alongside Westend and Trace Amounts. Previous editions have connected emerging producers with labels including Drumcode, mau5trap, Armada, Anjunadeep, Toolroom and Insomniac Records.

Originally launched in 2021 as 23by23 with support from Native Instruments and Beatport, Change The Beat has since grown into an international artist development platform with more than 1,200 members. To date, it has helped facilitate more than 100 label signings, with alumni going on to release music through Armada, Drumcode, Anjunadeep, Dirtybird, REALM and more.