Change the Beat pledges 300 label signings for women and gender expansive artists by 2028

Electronic music non-profit Change the Beat aims to help secure 300 label signings for women and gender expansive artists by 2028 through new initiatives.

Date published: 13th Jul 2026

Change the Beat, a global non-profit supporting women and gender expansive artists in electronic music, has announced an ambitious new pledge to help secure 300 label signings by 2028.

Founded by producer and DJ Sydney Blu, the pledge sees the organisation expand its artist development mission with a renewed focus on creating direct pathways into the electronic music industry through mentorship, education, networking and label opportunities.

Alongside the pledge, Change the Beat has unveiled The Demo Room, a new initiative connecting emerging artists directly with labels and A&R teams, while continuing to grow its Remix Contest Programme, which has already helped facilitate more than 100 label signings through partnerships with labels including Drumcode, Armada, Anjunadeep, Toolroom, mau5trap and DeadBeats.

Find out more about Change the Beat, as well as information on how to apply for support - HERE

Sydney 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.

"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."

“We've already helped facilitate more than 100 label signings, but we're only getting started," She added. "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.”

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Header image credit: Neon Owl x Change The Beat