’23by23′ campaign launched to increase female representation on record labels

Artists including Sydney Blu, Rebekah, Baby Weight, DJ Minx and LP Giobbi, together with a host of record labels, are launching a new initiative, ’23by23′, to call on labels to commit to increasing the number of female artists on their roster.

The 23by23 campaign challenges label to increase the percentage of female producers they work with to 23% or more by the end of 2023.

“I believe in 2021 we need to do better with how we shape, brand, and release music, to support a new generation of female producers and create lasting change and equality,” Sydney Blu (pictured) commented.

“I encourage the following question to any A&R rep: Are you making your label a welcome space for women? Do you provide feedback to female submissions? Are you proactively seeking female artists who are producing music similar to the sound of your label? This is the basis of the 23by23 campaign.”

Record labels Toolroom Records, Club Sweat, Gorgon City’s Realm Records, Soma Records, Desert Hearts, Walker and Royce’s Rules Don’t Apply have already pledged their commitment to the initiative, as have firms such as Ableton Live, Native Instruments.

Ableton Live will be hosting a production course on Metapop open to women, trans and non-binary artists in partnership with the campaign and LP Giobbi’s Femme House Friday’s will be hosting a 23by23 takeover on Friday December 10 on her Twitch Channel.

Often, when a label signs one female artist they automatically think they have done their due diligence. This is a classic example where a label will deny their lack of female representation, but it is no longer a good enough reason. The 23by23 campaign seeks to acknowledge all the talented women making incredible music by committing to a more realistic goal.

“If we are wanting a diverse and equal opportunities scene then highlighting an area where this is heavily imbalanced can only be a good thing,” said Rebekah.

“Starting out on many labels as the first women producer nine years ago, its seems that only baby steps have been made in this area to have more female representation. It’s also important to note women of colour are not only underrepresented on dance labels but also affected the most by discrimination so this makes it even more imperative for diversity to be a priority.”

Making proactive, sustainable changes to a label landscape that has been male dominated for years will resonate with people, especially resonate with female producers.

You cannot be what you can not see, and labels have the power to inspire an entirely new generation of female producers and artists.