Five IWD Initiatives for Women Battling the Bias in Music

Five IWD Initiatives for Women Battling the Bias in Music

IWD is all about #breakingthebias this year, which means a call to arms against the centuries of prejudice experienced by women globally. In reality, you know, outside of the virtual veil, every day should be ‘women’s day’, every day we should experience equal treatment. And yet there’s no denying that the bias in the music industry is still incredibly prevalent.

Young Music Boss, who is founded by Jusnah Gadi and led by an all-female team made a post to Instagram recently calling out all the presumptuous email lingo we receive, from “Yo bro” to “Dear Sir”, and they are not wrong to point it out. And still, this is just one minimal example of the many hurdles women have to overcome in order to break into the industry. Keep reading below to see five examples of initiatives to support women breaking the bias this IWD.

Daily Paper launches ‘Sisterhood is Flourishing’ in collaboration with non-binary collective ‘Girl’s Can’t DJ’

Daily Paper has decided to champion International Women’s day with a limited edition T-shirt series and campaign video which features the London-based women and non binary collective “Girls Can’t DJ”.

Radiating true confidence and empowerment, the campaign embodies the essence of sisterhood; loving, inspiring and protecting each other whilst flourishing alongside one another. Parts of the T-shirt’s proceeds will be donated to Sistah Space, a community-based non-profit organisation in London who works with women and girls of African heritage who have experienced domestic or sexual abuse or who have lost a loved one to domestic violence.

Kith releases new collection with unseen images of the late Aaliyah, proceeds go to ‘I Support Girls’ foundation & the Detroit School of Arts

The beloved artist’s brother praised Ronnie Fieg (Kith’s founder) in a statement. “Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Detroit, and went on to touch the whole world with her light and creativity,” Haughton said. “That’s why I felt that Kith would be the perfect partner to release unseen photos of my sister on their incredible fashion designs.

Inspired by the fact that Aaliyah—as the Kith team found out during the development of the new collection—graduated from Detroit School of Arts with a 4.0 GPA, the brand shot a short film in the Michigan city highlighting the school’s dance team, as well as principal Dr. Mayowa Lisa Reynolds.

As for the collection, fans can expect to see Whitman-captured photos of the singer—who died in a plane accident in 2001 at the age of 22—on a variety of pieces, including the “Rock the Boat” hoodie in black and white. 

“Aaliyah was born in Brooklyn, grew up in Detroit, and went on to touch the whole world with her light and creativity,” Haughton said. “That’s why I felt that Kith would be the perfect partner to release unseen photos of my sister on their incredible fashion designs.”

Spotify launches ‘With Love,’ for IWD, in partnership with Invisible Hand and Pod People

Spotify UK and Ireland have launched the With Love, campaign alongside four leading ambassadors from the platform’s previous EQUAL initiative to share the music and stories of women creators, artists, activists, and nonprofits around the world. 

Spotify is starting off International Women’s Day With Love, three podcast playlists produced in partnership with Invisible Hand and Pod People. These recordings celebrate 24 women of all experiences through a collection of “love letters.” Taking part will be Griff & Sigrid, Nova Twins & Connie Constance, Self Esteem & Kelli Blanchett and TSHA with EFFY.

In these recordings, women from around the world have shared their stories meant for either their past self or someone else who had a significant impact on their life. Artists like Fefe Dobson and Pyra; songwriters like Jennifer Decilveo and Kuinvi; creators like Munroe Bergdorf and Rintik Sedu; and activists like Dominique Morgan and Lauren Wasser all share their stories in these playlists. From what they wish they had known, to gratitude for the women they’ve known, these personal anecdotes give an intimate look at experiences from a wide array of women.

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KICK GAME x WINGSTOP have joined arms to create SNEAKHXR FEST, 12/03

Unexpected collaborations are sometimes the most ingenious. Two brands that have been championing the UK and US creative scenes for the past few years in their own unique ways. The mindful brands have thusly joined together to create SNEAKHXR FEST, 

Both Kick Game & Wingstop have a little American DNA within their brand image, from the ‘sneakers’ they sell to the flavour of their wings – which is inevitably an irresistible concept for most Gen Z and millennials alike. That being said, both brands have grown into the local communities and cities in which they operate, and are now working alongside local culture across music, fashion & entertainment in the UK.

Kick Game’s founder Robert Franks commented: “We’re incredibly excited to have Wingstop working with our brand… We want to collaborate with brands that make sense and will resonate with our customers. We know Wingstop will do this.”

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Sisters In Sound’ event supported by Mahalia, 08/03

Expect a night filled with glowing faces and unreal talent as Sisters in Sound put the spotlight on young female talent in the DJ and music production scene, the Sisters In Sound showcase will be headlined by East London DJ and activist in the female DJ community, Jordss who will be on the decks alongside young women she has mentored as part of the wider project. 


Led by youth charity, Small Green Shoots, the Sisters in Sound project was launched earlier this month by Mahalia as part of her Dr Martens Tough As You mentorship. The event is the culmination of the project and will be a powerful celebration of young women of colour wanting to take their first steps in the industry, from DJing to event management. The initiative is extremely close to Mahalia’s heart given the fact that she was supported by Small Green Shoots as a young artist starting out in the scene.