Music Midtown in Atlanta played backdrop to a very special experience for a group of students from Stone Mountain High School when they joined us along with Alternative R&B singer, rapper, and songwriter, 6lack, for an exclusive sound-check and conversation during the anniversary celebration of his East Atlanta Love Letter album.

6lack is an alumnus of the Atlanta-area high school and the participating student group was full of aspiring musicians, rappers and producers–all driven to succeed in the music industry. The program included a backstage tour, a private sound-check experience, and an exclusive Q&A with 6lack. All students received passes to the festival itself to experience his electric hometown performance that night.

When we asked a couple of the students about their experience, they enthusiastically shared their encounters. After finding out that they were going to meet 6lack, one of the students, Alaysha Jenkins, said she felt “elated because he is one of my favorite artists and he is from my hometown.” She felt inspired by his connection to her school and community and his advice to “become someone to impact the world with your voice,” resonated with her immensely. At that moment, Alaysha gratefully noted that 6lack became a mentor to her.

Another student, Immanuel Kumbut, was the first to ask 6lack a question during the private Q&A. “What advice can you give to an up-and-coming performing artist?” 6lack simply replied, “Just be yourself… if you be yourself, people will be more receptive and willing to listen to what you have to say.”

All Access programs help students discover pathways to success in the music industry. In addition to meeting 6lack that morning, students experienced stage setup and soundcheck for the festival performance, where they saw the off-stage careers in action that are necessary for a successful show.

When youth experience direct learning from onsite experiences and meaningful connections, they feel empowered, confident, and motivated for success. 6lack’s authenticity and drive translate into his music, and the students of Stone Mountain High School internalized his words of determination: “Whatever you’re good at, whatever it is you love… work at it every single day. Work at it till you feel crazy like you’ve got to get it done…Nobody else is going to make it happen for you.”

The impact that All Access with 6lack had on these students during this special morning at Piedmont Park is apparent and it’s Music Forward programs like these that shape future goals and inspire future leaders.

To kick off the program, our participants gathered around a large conference table and dove into a Pitch Perfect workshop. This workshop is designed to emphasize the importance of having a personal brand and communicating your personal skills and goals in a networking setting. Students worked to develop their “pitch” and practiced with each other for feedback.

After the practice session, we began the exclusive panel discussion with specially selected music industry experts. We were joined by multiple professionals from various sectors within Live Nation including Sponsorships, House of Blues, Ones to Watch, and Live Nation Marketing. Students were able to get a glance into the working world of entertainment at a major music corporation and understand the variety of pathways to careers in the industry. After the conversation, the panel turned into a space for networking, allowing the students to introduce themselves to, and exchange information with the industry professionals. In spaces like the music industry, networking and creating authentic connections with others is an important skill to hone professionally.

The final portion of the All Access event was an office tour of Live Nation HQ, in which students gained more perspective on the intricate roles and departments that make up the Live Nation enterprise. The group visited different floors of the building, meeting more music industry leaders and gaining insight into their role in the business throughout the tour. The group then ended at the front of the office on Hollywood Boulevard to say their goodbyes.

All Access helps prepare students for the transition into the working world. The program introduces students to opportunities and pathways, strengthens interpersonal networking skills, and connects students directly with professionals to build relationships in the industry. At Music Forward, the success of our programs is seen through the skills we help build and the connections we help facilitate in real-world programs and experiences like this one. We are zealously paving the way towards promising and flourishing futures for our talented youth.

Dominique Buddington is a junior at Dillard University in New Orleans studying Music with an emphasis in the Music Industry. She volunteered to help at All Access Fest in New Orleans, expecting to gain some insight into the music industry, and the advice and connections she received have actually put her on a path to exploring a real career in the industry. In between volunteer duties, she was also able to sit in on thought-provoking discussions that led her to approach panelist Bradford “Bentley” Roublow, Director of Entertainment and Talent at Bentley Barz Entertainment, after the Q&A session. Dominique said, “I went up to him after the networking panel and told him what my interests were. He works as an independent manager in the city and a local label/artist development company. We continued conversations, and now I have an internship at his company where I get to help local artists with branding, as well as being involved with events, music videos, and merch development.”

All Access Fest gave Dominique the opportunity to practice taking initiative and connecting with a professional in a networking space. Dominique has an appreciation for this opportunity, stating, “I’ve been looking for an internship for months on my own and I wasn’t finding anything until I went to All Access Fest in New Orleans and found my current internship all in a matter of three hours. I met so many people, networked with so many people in the city, and I was so glad I was able to come and experience this incredible opportunity.”

Dominique reflected on how significant programs like these are, specifically in the city she knows and calls home. “A program like this is definitely needed, especially in the New Orleans community. There is so much raw talent in this city – I really got to see that at this event. If we have opportunities to mold and shape young people, they won’t stop chasing their dreams.”

Dominique has big plans for her future after Dillard and is feeling more motivated than ever to achieve these goals. Her focus lately has been on one word: hope. She affirmed, “This program gave me hope. Hope that I could be successful in my own city. I thought for the longest time I would have to move to be able to find something related to my career. I know now that if I work my way up, I can eventually expand and create something new.”

Music Forward strives to create clear pathways to success for youth wanting to get involved in the music industry. With resources, outlets, and professional insight at our programs, youth are able to thrive with clear direction and inspiration. With these tools and opportunities -Dominique is on her way towards a thriving future in the music industry.

Music Forward teamed up with our Ambassador and multi-platinum selling global superstar, Khalid, for a very special All Access program during his Free Spirit tour. The experience took place at Amway Center in Orlando with a group of aspiring young musicians from nearby Jones High School. The program included a private sound-check and an exclusive Q&A session with Khalid and his Musical Director, Khirie Tyler. They discussed creative processes, musical inspirations, and advice for a career in the industry.

Marchel Washington, Jones High School Senior – Class of 2020 recounts her extraordinary experience:

The day was August 16^th, I spent the whole time thinking about meeting him. I could barely sleep the night before; I was just too excited. Khalid was my prime focus that day. Free Spirit, his album, was playing on a constant loop and I was more than ready to hear him in person.

The experience was more than I expected. We were treated like VIP and skipped a long line of people just to hear his soundcheck. The music, the dancers, the lights, the people, were indescribable. It felt as if I was on a different planet, in a different place, it felt refreshingly new. If I could, I would relive that night all over again. The entire day is a memory I refuse to lose.

I will always remember meeting Khalid. He was humble and down to Earth. He did not have a complex feel as if he was better than anyone else, he felt human. His demeanor was comforting overall. I must admit, Khalid gave the best hugs ever. A lot of people say not to meet your heroes or any celebrities because they aren’t what they seem to be, but Khalid was an exception.

Khalid taught me an incredible thing. He said ’Creativity cannot be rushed; it has to flow.’ I am a poet and at times it can be hard to create. I try to force creativity, but Khalid taught me that it will not function that way. Creativity will flow when it needs to and when it is unlocked. I learned a valuable lesson I will never let go: to be humble, patient, and creative.

This experience opened my eyes and made me realize I could do and be more. It made me want to explore life more as a creative. I want to grow as a poet, create works that connect with people and bring comfort and truth. It made me want to write poems that will have the same impact that Khalid had on me. My entire outlook on being an artist has changed due to that night and I am forever grateful to the Music Forward Foundation.

 

 

 

 

 

Music Forward teamed up with Cricket Wireless and Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter, Julia Michaels, to present an All Access program with local youth. We invited ten young women with aspirations of careers in the music industry to meet Julia and talk candidly about pathways to success, the creative process, and real-world insight into the industry.  The group of participants came from across Los Angeles and represented a diverse array of musical backgrounds; they arrived with excitement and eager minds for this unique experience. They were also invited to go behind-the-scenes of a production studio to learn about the relationship between live entertainment and film before experiencing Julia’s in-studio performance as part of Live from the Cricket Lounge.

The aim of this event—as with every All Access program—was to create a space for young people to explore the music industry from an inside perspective and make valuable connections for next steps on their own career paths. Music Forward gives our participants the opportunity to channel their creativity through inspiration from others’ professional experiences within the field. Julia answered a variety of questions during the session and gave honest, genuine advice about the obstacles she’s faced within the music industry and how she has overcome them. After the Q&A, Julia performed an intimate set with an acoustic rendition of her most popular song, “Issues,” along with other new releases. To end the special night, she connected directly with the group and took photos during a personal meet and greet.

This was a particularly special event as Julia is part of our inaugural Ambassadors Council, which launched this week. The Ambassadors Council is a group of inspirational artists dedicated to empowering the next generation by contributing to the Music Forward mission. Ambassadors stand with us as advocates, harnessing the power of music to elevate the next generation.

When given the opportunity to chase their dreams, the ambition and potential of these young women are unmistakable. And we are confident they will excel in anything they set their minds to achieve!

Legendary artists such as Dr. Dre, Miley Cyrus, Santana, and Ozzie Osbourne have recorded in this studio that is off the beaten path, yet minutes away from the Las Vegas Strip. Our group went behind-the-scenes to learn about what it takes to be a record producer!

When we arrived at The Hideout, we were greeted by the studio’s head engineer Luis “LP” Pacheco. LP showed us around the building, which includes four recording spaces as well as a warehouse where they keep hundreds of vintage microphones and other sound equipment. 

While he guided our group through the studio, he told us about how he began working as a sound engineer by starting as an intern and working to hone his skills as an engineer over the years. We walked through the historically rich hallways and peered at the golden records hanging on the wall; each shining record filled with its own background story.

LP led us back to the big studio, where we met up with another audio engineer, Tristan Hardin, and studio manager, Khloe Churko. We sat down with them for a panel discussion on the creation of music and the business of music. The music engineers have different specialties and musical preferences. LP is more involved with rappers and DJs like John Bellion and Swae Lee, while Tristan works with rock and metal artists who come through the studio, like Five Finger Death Punch, In This Moment, and Disturbed. Khloe, a #girlboss in the music industry, offered a great view of what it’s like working in a recording studio with other professionals and managing day-to-day activities. 

The panelists shared similar stories of starting as interns or assistants, moving up the ladder, and learning from other professionals along the way. Everyone emphasized that a passion for music is a requirement to work in the studio, which was great news for our students! There was time for a Q&A at the end, and our alumni had tons of questions. Our participants asked about everything from how they can get involved with the studio to detailed questions about the top-of-the-line sound equipment. Everyone on the Hideout team shared great tips for making it in the music industry and encouraged our students to keep working hard.

This incredible program was filled with insight, experience, and one-on-one connections that left everyone excited and inspired for the future of the music industry. As I start my senior year of college, this program also made me excited and inspired for my future in the music industry!

When I first started and someone would ask me what I do for a living, I would think of my job description and our mission statement. But after last week, I realized there’s so much more to that.

I think about the first Music Forward program I attended last week, a program in which our team worked with 40 young people from East LA Rising as part of an All Access workshop, which is designed to offer insight for youth on coveted gigs in the music industry. I think about how amazed I was to find the group fully engaged in our discussion. I could see the wheels turning behind wide eyes as we explored the huge music industry in a small classroom in East LA. When we called out for answers or for people to share, a sea of hands shot up in the air, eager to participate. Our workshop aimed to help the young people form their own personal “pitch”, for job interviews and meeting people in elevators, to help them identify what they were good at, or passionate about and how it connects to the music industry. I watched as they figured it out and, slowly but surely, became confident enough to share their hopes and dreams with us.

I think about the girl who responded to the mock interview question “Why do you want this job?” with “Well… my mom lost her job, and we’re about to lose our house, so I really want a job to help my mom.” This same girl came up to us later and asked for our autographs. I think about how humbling that was, to be someone that our students look up to.

These same students completed the All Access experience by taking a field trip to Live Nation Entertainment headquarters in Hollywood. They toured various floors of the expansive offices and connected with professionals across departments responsible for bringing live music experiences to millions of fans globally. Students heard about professional pathways and asked questions to get a deeper understanding of how to connect their passions to professions.

When someone asks me what I do for a living, my answer is easy: I get to be a part of something bigger than myself. I can say with pride that we are motivating the next generation to be fearless in their journey, regardless of the hurdles they face.

We are empowering young people across Southern California and across the country to move forward with confidence. That’s our mission at work, and I am so proud to be a part of it.

(DALLAS, Texas – April 25, 2019) — JMBLYA today announced a partnership with the Music Forward Foundation to provide an “All Access” educational workshop with top music industry leaders and ticket incentives for students from underserved communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth area during the May music festival.

Through this partnership, JMBLYA will donate 300 tickets to the May 3 festival, featuring Travis Scott, Lil Wayne, Kevin Gates and more, as incentives for high school students to meet campus educational goals such as class attendance, grade achievement and FAFSA application completion. Music Forward—the nonprofit organization within Live Nation Entertainment dedicated to transforming young lives, inspiring careers and championing a more inclusive music industry—will facilitate the JMBLYA free-ticket distribution across multiple Dallas ISD high schools by working in partnership with Dallas ISD and Big Thought, the arts-based nonprofit that provides programs, opportunities and experiences to youth in marginalized communities.

Additionally, 20 students from Carter High School have been selected to participate in an “All Access” tour of JMBLYA on Thursday, May 2, where they will get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of how a music festival comes together. The tour will focus on various careers associated with producing a festival such as talent buying, venue operations, live production, marketing, ticketing and more. Carter High School was chosen through the new Beyond the Classroom initiative, a collaboration between Big Thought and the Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs in which students from disadvantaged communities are provided opportunities to visit and collaborate with local artists and businesses that focus on diverse expressions of the arts.

JMBLYA and Music Forward will also co-host a music industry panel discussion with For the Students, an organization that produces speaking tours designed to educate students interested in pursuing music careers. The event will offer insights on the music industry from prominent panelists including: Sascha Guttfreund, president, ScoreMore Shows; Cortez Bryant, co-CEO, Blueprint Group/Maverick and manager to 2019 JMBLYA performer Lil Wayne; David Ali, founder, Above Ground Entertainment and manager to Kehlani as well as 2019 JMBLYA performer P-Lo; and Madisyn Holland, social media director, ScoreMore Shows.

Ogden Payne, Forbes contributor and founder of For the Students, will moderate the panel. For the Students regularly hosts live Q&As with top-tier music industry professionals at colleges and universities across the country. Their mission is to provide traditional and non-traditional students with opportunities to build their network, learn about the realities of the music business from an insider’s point of view, and understand that pursuing a career in music means more than possessing vocal and instrumental talent.

The panel discussion will be held on Thursday, May 2, 2019, beginning at 6 p.m. at the House of Blues Dallas (2200 N. Lamar St., Dallas, Texas). Participating high school students will attend, and the event will also be open to local college students and the general Dallas community free of charge.

To RSVP for the panel, click HERE. Admission is not guaranteed and will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

JMBLYA, Texas’ biggest hip-hop festival, now in its seventh year, will again offer its festivalgoers a stacked lineup of today’s hottest and most sought-after musicians. The two-city, two-day fest will kick off in Dallas on Friday, May 3, with a return to the historic Fair Park near downtown Dallas, followed by a stop in Austin on Saturday, May 4, at the award-winning, multi-purpose entertainment facility Circuit of the Americas (COTA). This year’s headlining acts include Travis Scott, Lil Wayne and Kevin Gates, along with Gunna, Sheck Wes, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Bhad Bhabie, City Girls, Maxo Kream, P-Lo, WHOOKILLEDKENNY and 10K.Caash. JMBLYA also just added several new acts to the 2019 lineup, which include some of today’s hottest up-and-coming rappers like Lil Nas X, DaBaby and JPEGMAFIA. GA and VIP ticket packages are available for purchase at JMBLYA.com.

Be on the lookout as more JMBLYA news, including the full performance schedule to be announced in the coming weeks. For more information and to stay up to date on all JMBLYA news and announcements, please visit the following channels:

WEBSITE:       JMBLYA.com

FACEBOOK:   @thejmblya

TWITTER:       @thejmblya

INSTAGRAM:  @thejmblya

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ABOUT SCOREMORE SHOWS

ScoreMore Shows is a Texas-based music promoter and event production company founded in 2009. Over the past decade, ScoreMore has solidified itself as a tastemaker in music and culture, while also becoming the premiere millennial-facing festival producer in the country. With a history of booking artists early in their careers in small clubs who have gone on to headline arenas and amphitheaters, ScoreMore has become a trusted curator in the live music scene. ScoreMore regularly routes national tours throughout the United States with a focus on the Southwest region, promoting more than 200 club shows per year with past notable performers including J. Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Chance the Rapper, The Weeknd, Frank Ocean, Tyler, The Creator and Wiz Khalifa, among countless others.

ScoreMore also oversees a growing roster of successful festival properties across Texas including JMBLYA and Mala Luna Music Festival and its partnership in Neon Desert Music Festival in addition to its partnership in J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Travis Scott’s Astroworld Festival in his hometown of Houston, Texas. For more information, visit scoremoreshows.com.

ABOUT MUSIC FORWARD FOUNDATION

Music Forward transforms lives, inspires careers and champions a more inclusive music industry. Focusing on young people ages 12-22 in under-represented communities, Music Forward sets the stage for success by providing workshops and showcases to inspire the next generation of music industry leaders and innovators. Learn more at musicforwardfoundation.org.