Audio streaming subscription service Spotify, global concerts powerhouse Live Nation, and Gold House, the leading Asian and Pacific Islander changemaker community, are introducing the inaugural cohort of their Futures Music Guild initiative to uplift rising Asian music artists: Ruby Ibarra, Anik Khan, and Thuy Tran.
Chosen by a selection committee of diverse industry API titans, these three music artists will showcase their outstanding talent by participating in Spotify masterclasses and recording Spotify Singles—a series of original artist recordings made in Spotify’s in-house studios—that will be released globally on the platform for streaming.
"Spotify is proud to be partnering with Gold House as part of our continued investment to amplify & support emerging API artists. Through our Asian employee resource group, SPACE, we've had a long standing relationship with Gold House. This includes our support for initiatives including Gold Open, collaborating on editorialized API playlists 'Gold Beats', and amplifying the importance of diversity & allyship. We’re excited to build on this work and celebrate this vibrant community of creators and to usher in a new generation of talent through the Gold House Futures Music Guild," says Priscilla Chan, Spotify’s Associate Director of Consumer Business Development, and Co-Lead of SPACE, the company’s API-focused Employee Resource Group (ERG).
After recording their songs, these artists will have the chance to take them to the stage. Gold House has partnered with Live Nation to present the “Gold Nation Showcase,” a concert on May 19th to celebrate and exhibit the work of these rising API music artists during Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Taking place at The Peppermint Club, a Live Nation venue in Los Angeles, the artists will have the unique opportunity to perform in front of industry decision-makers, luminaries, and fans in an intimate setting.
Ruby Ibarra
“Live Nation is dedicated to using our influence to support diversity and unlock opportunities, from growing our hiring pipeline to diversify our workforce, to finding ways to help artists breakthrough industry barriers and play on stages around the world,” says Michael Chua, VP at Live Nation Entertainment and Co-Lead of Asian Nation, the company’s API-focused Employee Resource Group (ERG) which is spearheading this initiative. “Gold House is doing some amazing work for creators and we look forward to expanding mentorship, growth and success opportunities for API artists within the live business.”
Artists will also participate in a ‘live business’ masterclass—led by Christine Cao, Live Nation talent buyer, with appearances from LN executives across divisions as well as invited industry guests. The in-person workshop, held at LN headquarters in Los Angeles, will provide the finalists with a primer on navigating the touring business and growing their fan base on the road.
The Futures Music Guild is a crucial pillar of Gold House Futures, a program unveiled in December 2021 to advance the success of emerging API creatives, entrepreneurs, and social impact leaders. Those selected as Futures receive direct investment from prominent partners, skill-building and world class mentorship from industry titans (at Warner Music Group, Transparent Arts, and more), and mainstream brand-building promotion. Beyond the unique music industry opportunities outlined above, all three music artists will be able to take part in programming offered by partners such as Condé Nast and Facebook to advance their leadership and business skills.
"Despite being the majority of the world and the fastest-growing population in the United States, Asians and Pacific Islanders have been long-omitted and misrepresented in music and media. Investing in the most promising API musicians enables us to further see ourselves in even more spaces to inspire new generations in our community--and in every community,” said Mikkoh Chen, Gold House Head of Futures.
For more information about the Futures Music Guild and its upcoming programming, visit goldhouse.org/music.
