DJ & Producer SHERELLE is launching a series of workshops with music industry professionals, helping to give people a foot up in the music industry
BY AC CALLAHAN, IMAGE BY EDDIE OTCHERE AND REMI BOURDEUX
Today, BEAUTIFUL announced the launch of their academy and a series of free workshops, in partnership with audio design and gear company AIAIAI. The workshops will run in October in London, where 15 students will be given access to hands-on classes, lectures and talks by some of the music industry’s finest.
SHERELLE created BEAUTIFUL in 2020, as a response to the erasure and whitewashing of Black and queer histories in electronic music. The project aims to support aspiring queer and BIPOC artists in reclaiming space and recognition within the industry.
The workshops will teach students how to navigate the music industry, better their artistic craft and learn about the history of electronic music, including the importance of Black and queer artists. Journalist, author and DJ Marcus Barnes will lead the first session on the history and political impact of Black music, with Lil Silva, Mura Masa and LCY also set to give workshops in production.
With many more sessions from professional figures, from managers to PRs lined up, the final session will be on the cultural impact of Black music, led by PinkPantheress, in conversation with SHERELLE.
Speaking about BEAUTIFUL’s debut release in 2021, SHERELLE told Crack magazine, “To me, BEAUTIFUL is a label and platform that belongs to and is for cultivating new and exciting music…within the Black and LGBTQI+ music community in and around Europe. Beautiful will make it easier for future generations and help protect and grow the scene into something beautiful”.
The main aim of the workshops is to help those starting out their career in music, nurture their development and provide education about both the business and creative aspects of the music industry. The workshops are aimed at queer and BIPOC students from various economic backgrounds, providing opportunities for those who may not have previously been able to access these kinds of resources.
Applications are open now and close on 22 August, so be quick! Artists can enroll here: aiaiai.audio/beautiful-academy
