PRS for Music’s Post

In an inspiring move, the UK government is stepping up to confront misogyny in the music industry head-on. A recent report, highlighted by Billboard and authored by Richard Smirke, sheds light on the pressing need for stricter safety measures in studios and venues. This initiative isn't just about addressing the issues; it's about building a future where all musical talents, regardless of gender, can thrive and feel safe. At With the Band, a proudly majority-female company, we're heartened by these developments. It's a momentous step towards creating a music world where everyone's voice is heard, respected, and celebrated. Let's all unite in this endeavor – it's time to transform our industry into a place of equality and respect.    #MusicEquality #Empowerment #IndustryChange

Great article by Andrae Alexander, Ph.D. and absolutely brilliant and genius scholar who has opened up my mind to systemic racism in the music industry. Dr. Andrae is stewarding a series of case studies in the Music Industry for Sage and doing some BADASS WORK! More to come! "songwriters and artists are now social scapegoats for the corporations that have the power to affect positive systemic change for women and the other communities their songwriters and artists represent....As a society, we cannot remove intersectionality (e.g., gender and race) and life experiences from the creators of art. If women in the music industry feel unsafe, we do ourselves a disservice by circulating that fear in audio and visual media that further spreads the learned behavior throughout society. This is a cognitive poison that must be treated. More information about women in the music industry with abnormal success can be seen in case studies about Missy Elliott as analyzed through the lens of feminism and erotic capital (Garcia-Borbón & Alexander, 2024), Grammy-winner Autumn Rowe and the discussion of fame versus influence (Alexander, 2024), and Taylor Swift and her Era’s tour and its multiple impacts on society (Garcia-Borbón, 2024)." https://lnkd.in/dqm9K-ba

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 “𝗯𝗼𝘆𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯” 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗯𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗼𝗻. As a company specialising in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, we are deeply concerned about the findings of the report. The music industry is a place where misogyny is entrenched and normalised, which has a devastating impact on women’s careers and their ability to thrive in the industry. This report is a call to action for all of us! We must work together to break down the barriers and create a culture where they are valued and respected. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝗱𝗼? ✔ Try to support organisations that are working to combat misogyny. Many great companies are doing important work in the area, such as She Is The Music or the 30% Club UK. ✔ Hold artists and record labels accountable. If we see injustice, we should speak out against it. We should also support artists and labels committed to creating a more inclusive and equitable industry. ✔ Educate ourselves and others. The more we understand the issue, the better equipped we are to address it.  We believe that the music industry can be free from misogyny. By working together, we can create a culture where everyone feels welcomed and respected. https://lnkd.in/d9MWPk-Y

NEARLY ONE-FIFTH OF MUSICIANS FROM GLOBAL MAJORITY BACKGROUNDS SAID THEY COULDN’T SEE THEMSELVES IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY IN 5 YEARS TIME We cannot let that happen. It’s time to address bullying and harassment in the UK music industry. Black Lives in Music (BLiM) are launching their #YourSafetyYourSay survey on Bullying and Harassment in the music industry. https://lnkd.in/ee_qgPxz BLiM is an organisation set up to address racial inequality in the music industry and create opportunities for Black, Asian and ethnically diverse musicians and professionals. BLiM will use the anonymous survey to collect real-world data. This will inform legislation and the work of the new Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority (CIISA) and the wider music industry. It will also be used to support BLiM’s forthcoming Anti-Racist Code of Conduct and reporting tool, which will work towards eradicating discrimination, bullying and harassment throughout the music ecosystem. Roberto Neri, CEO of The Ivors Academy, said “There is no place for bullying, harassment and discrimination in music. No one in the industry should be abusing their positions and no victims should be silenced through NDAs or fearful of the implications of speaking out. It is time that freelancers are not left vulnerable and isolated. Black Lives in Music’s research is a powerful way to give voice and drive the change that we need. I encourage everyone in music to complete the survey and take us one step closer to a fair and just industry." Complete the survey in full now. https://lnkd.in/ee_qgPxz Your answers can help us shape the music industry for the better. #YourSafetyYourSay #shareyourstory #saferspacesnow #musicindustrymatters #equality #socialjustice #diversityandinclusion #inclusionmatters #changetheworld #musicindustry #musicindustrynews

What does Beyoncé's latest entry into country music have to do with leadership? Imagine you're a young African American girl. You've grown up listening to country music. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Every time you hear the question, you have your answer ready. A country music singer! You spend hours practicing. You follow the playbook. Surely, you'll achieve your dream, right? Then you grow up ... You try and you fail. Maybe everybody WAS right. Country music is only for White men. No one looks like you. No one sounds like you. No one is in your corner. You have no one to mentor you. You have no one to look up to. Eventually, you give up. The status quo remains. Enter Beyoncé. Her venture into country music is not just a testament to her talent. It's a bold statement on the power of inclusion and representation. By lending her outsized influence to the genre, she's not only honoring those WOC in country music that came before her but illuminating a path forward for young aspiring artists of color who will now have more courage to enter the space. In short, she's changing the game and shaping the future of the industry. As leaders committed to fostering diversity, inclusion, and belonging in our own industries, let's take a page from Beyoncé's book. Let's keep breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes, and creating spaces where everyone can see themselves represented at the top. Where everyone can aspire to be at the top themselves. After all, true innovation springs from having diverse voices at the table. #Diversity #DEI #deib #Innovation #BreakingBarriers

New Post: Latin Artists Fuel Dramatic Growth of Spain’s Live Scene - https://lnkd.in/g8ZpZccT - Thirty-three shows by Latin artists — including Christian Nodal, Camilo, Emilia, Nicki Nicole and Eladio Carrión — are set to take place at the WiZink Center arena in Madrid this year, out of a total of 97 planned concerts. That’s triple the number of shows by Latin artists who performed at the venue in 2019. Nearby, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, which will soon reopen after a three-plus-year renovation, Mexican star Luis Miguel will be the first artist to play two back-to-back shows at the venue when he headlines in July. The numbers provide a glimpse of Spain’s shifting musical tastes and exploding touring market. According to the country’s Association of Musical Promoters, 2022 ticket revenue reached a record gross of 459 million euros ($492 million); the 2023 Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona drew 500,000 fans over two weekends, according to the concert promoters association. For touring in Spain, the pandemic also demarcated a distinct before and after, with Spanish-speaking acts coming from Latin America and the United States now touring in Spain more than English-speaking acts. “We could, perhaps, consider Rosalía as a precursor since she introduced and popularized internationally style that had not yet fully taken off in Spain and is now incredibly popular and growing day by day,” WiZink Center director Paz Aparicio says. Related Spain’s Music Market Is Booming As It Welcomes Latin Talent From Around The Globe 03/08/2024 Rosalía’s global appeal helped catalyze the shift, along with listeners who are now more open to music in a variety of styles beyond Spain’s long-dominant traditional pop. And Latin music’s growth in the United States — where the genre’s revenue has surpassed $1 billion with a 24% growth that outpaced the overall market, according to IFPI — has also bolstered demand overseas. “The U.S. is the country with the greatest strength and influence in the development of cultural and commercial phenomena. In fact, Spain and Europe have always looked more toward what has come from there. It has always been our main reference,” explains Alfonso Santiago, CEO of Last Tour, which promotes festivals such as Bilbao BBK Live and BIME Live. “I believe that the high number of Latinos in the U.S. is key, the fact that music in Spanish is occupying more and more space there every day is very important.” Today, Spain’s Latin touring scene is very eclectic, making the country a key market for new Latin artists. “In the past, very little Latin was produced in Spain, and programming more alternative artists was very

A friend of mine attended the First Night of the Proms this year and shared how amazed she was to see the extraordinary talents of the Female Conductor! The annual Proms brings the U.K. together in celebration of classical music, with large scale symphonic and choral work leading the evening festivities.   The Conductor commands the musical vision of the orchestra, setting the tempo and flow through physical movement as well as verbal instructions. Much energy, passion, talent and charisma is required to ensure the musicians are in harmony!   I believe these traits are necessary in leadership too and previously wrote a post about CEOs as conductors where I shared the following:   A leader, whether CEO or conductor, is someone who not only listens but commits to what has not happened yet. The conductor is always a step ahead of the musicians, preparing them for the music they are about the perform. A maestro cannot play all the instruments, just like CEOs cannot control everything. You must learn to give away power, and let the music happen.   I personally think we are all Conductors, setting the rhythm and tempo of our lives!   I would love to hear your views – how do you keep the musical flow throughout your life?   PAST POST ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eR-RDQ7p   The Guardian article: https://lnkd.in/eb5HVPGz   #music #conductors #leadership #leaders #BBC #Proms #linkedinforcreators #topvoice #topvoiceshare #linkedininsiderUK

Championing Equity in Music: A Spotlight on Willie "PROPHET” Stiggers, CEO of Black Music Action Coalition As the music industry continues to evolve, leaders who advocate for equity and inclusivity are more important than ever. Prophet Stiggers, the visionary CEO of the Black Music Action Coalition (BMAC), is at the forefront of this vital movement. In a recent interview with Rolling Out, Prophet shares his insights on the challenges and opportunities in the music industry, and how BMAC is spearheading initiatives to ensure that all voices are heard and valued. His dedication to creating a more just and equitable industry is truly inspiring. From advocating for artists' rights to pushing for systemic changes, Prophet's leadership is paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future in music. As he aptly puts it, "We must continue to push forward and demand equity for all." Read the full interview to learn more about Prophet Stiggers’ impactful journey and BMAC’s mission: https://lnkd.in/eeECiEpY #MusicIndustry #EquityInMusic #Leadership #BMAC #Inclusion #Diversity #ProphetStiggers #BlackMusicActionCoalition #RollingOut #BusinessExchange

New Post: Urgent action required to tackle “endemic” misogyny faced by women in music - https://lnkd.in/gg2EUq4P - Women pursuing careers in the music industry face “endemic” misogyny and discrimination, the Women And Equalities Committee (WEC) has warned. In a new report published today (January 30), the WEC said “urgent action” was required to tackle the issue, and noted that the sector is “dominated by self-employment and gendered power imbalances”. The document – titled ‘Misogyny In Music’ – described the industry as a “boys’ club” where sexual harassment and abuse is common, and the non-reporting of such incidents is high. Victims who do speak out struggle to be believed or may find their career ends as a consequence, it claimed. The WEC stated that women in music still encounter limitations in opportunity, a lack of support and persistent unequal pay – with these said to be intensified for those facing intersectional barriers, particularly racial discrimination. It said that female artists are “routinely undervalued and undermined, endure a focus on their physical appearance in a way that men are not subjected to, and have to work far harder to get the recognition their ability merits”. Following up on the report, the WEC – a cross-party committee of MPs – has made “a series of strong and wide-ranging recommendations” and urged ministers to take legislative steps to amend the Equality Act. This would ensure that freelance workers have the same protections from discrimination as employees, and would bring into force Section 14 to improve protections for people facing intersectional inequality. Home Recording Studio Stock Photo. CREDIT: mixetto/Getty Images The WEC also recommended that the UK government should legislate to impose a duty on employers to protect workers from sexual harassment by third parties, a proposal the government initially supported and then rejected last year. It said that both the music industry and government should increase investment in diverse talent and make more funding available to the schemes that support it. The WEC added that pathways to careers for women working in the sector must improve, particularly in male-dominated areas such as A&R, sound engineering and production. Additionally, the committee urged record labels to commit to regular publication of statistics on the diversity of their rosters. It said that all organisations with more than 100 employees should be required to publish data on the diversity of their workforce, as well as gender and ethnicity pay gaps. The report highlighted non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) too, citing distressing testimonies of victims who had been “threatened into silence”. In turn, the WEC has called on ministers to prohibit the use of NDAs and other forms of confidentiality agreements in cases involving sexual abuse, sexual harassment or sexual misconduct, bullying or harassment, and discriminat