In The Absence of Female A&R’s

A&R’s play a pivotal role in the production and delivery of today's commercial music industry. They are the person within a label who is responsible for scouting and developing new talent. A&R’s are the linchpin between artists, labels, publishing and other aspects of the industry which work to nurture talent and make music into a product. 

In 2023, females make up 18% of A&R’s in the UKs commercial music industry. In the field of A&R, women are hugely underrepresented with 82% of roles disproportionately occupied by men, the result of which is a ripple effect impacting the sounds and images we consume through music. 

In 2022 The Jaguar Foundation reported on the impact of gender representation in Dance music and the findings were stark. It found that absence of representation resulted in lack of consideration for the safety of female artists, and audiences. Findings which translate across all spheres of the music industry. 

When executed well, good representation has the power to break stereotypes, highlight different perspectives, celebrate cultures and build community. However, diversity and inclusion is a topic to be addressed from the top down to preserve authenticity, especially when it comes to art. 

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

This is why we have partnered with Parlay Records to create and deliver a development programme for regional women in music who have A&R potential. We want to create the opportunity for women to influence what they hear and the way that they are represented through music.  

We have put together a 12 month programme which will give 2 trailblazing females the opportunity to speak directly to major labels and key players in the industry. We will help them understand how the machine works and what it takes to create and market an artist. We’ll help them gain as much knowledge as possible before we give them the networks and the budget to kick start their own careers with their first A&R project. The A&R academy will begin this November and will help us to illustrate the impact that good representation can have on the industry and its consumers. 

Written by Nikki Riggon