Women have always been forces to be reckoned with in the hip-hop community. As their leadership contributions are increasingly recognized, A3C, the essential hip-hop community conference held annually in Atlanta, strives to amplify their voices and give woman space to share their invaluable perspectives.

This commitment sparked A3C's Women In Charge programming. It connects, inspires, and educates women in the music industry through events, panels, and sessions led by hip-hop’s most influential and innovative women. Women In Charge will take place on Thursday, October 4th at the Loudermilk Center and is presented by Toyota.

The dynamic women involved in Women in Charge play every possible role in the music business, from label heads to self-made media moguls, from journalists to lawyers. They include (in alphabetical order): Asya Shein (Fusicology, President), Dia Simms (Combs Enterprises, President), Dina Marto (Twelve Music & Studios, Owner & Founder), Ethiopia Habtemariam (Motown Records, President), Janee Bolden (BOSSIP, Managing Editor), Keisha Lance Bottoms (Mayor of Atlanta), Lola Plaku (Lola Media Group, CEO + Owner), Malita the Mogul (Mogul Mentality, Founder + CEO), Nicole Bilzerian (Interscope Geffen A&M, SVP Head of Urban Marketing), Nicole Wyskoarko (Interscope Geffen A&M, EVP Urban Operations), Phylicia Fant (Warner Bros Records, SVP Media + Special Projects), Uwonda Carter Scott (The Carter Law Firm, Attorney + Owner) and Whitney-Gayle Benta (Spotify, Head of Talent Relations).

A3C Women in Charge Programming Overview

The Mayor’s Brunch

The Mayor’s Brunch (Loudermilk Center Toyota Ballroom; 10am - 12pm) will feature an intimate one-on-one conversation with Mayor Bottoms and Rembert Browne, one of America's most respected culture writers and Atlanta native. Their conversation will cover many topics including Bottoms’ journey from Frederick Douglass High School, the true culture of Atlanta, the balance of growing a city and making it open to all, while wanting to retain the essence near and dear to those “made in Atlanta.”

Featured Panel

Women leaders and trailblazers in the music industry discuss the challenges and achievements on their journey to create and build their individual brand and careers. The panel features Dina Marto, Whitney-Gayle Benta, Dia Simms, Nicole Wyskoarko, Phylicia Fant and Janee Bolden.

Mentorship Sessions

Mentorship sessions enable attendees to gain insight and advice from one-on-one conversations with industry experts Nicole Bilzerian, Nicole Wyskoarko, Uwonda Carter Scott, and Malita the Mogul.

Girl Connected hosted by Lola Plaka

A mentorship program that pairs aspiring female professionals with some of Plaku’s successful industry colleagues to help them learn the ins and outs of the business.

Meet the Founder: Fusicology's Asya Shein

Learn from Asya Shein's 15+ years in the music industry. Fusicology is a hub for progressive culture and lifestyle events, aggregating local and national event listings, relevant news, and music. Fusicology serves as a multi-faceted marketing entity for influencers that live and breathe music, fashion, style, and subculture.

An Evening With Ethiopia Habtemariam

This closing event will acknowledge the work and impact Habtemariam has made in music. After a 30-minute conversation hosted by Janee Bolden, Habtemariam will take audience questions. A mixer and meet-and-greet will follow, featuring all the women participating in the Women In Charge programming. This will be a special evening to connect with some of the most influential women in music.

A3C Festival & Conference launched the Startup Spotlight to help build Atlanta’s music tech community. Atlanta is already the cultural capital for hip-hop artists and creatives, and the city has a strong and rapidly growing tech sector. An essential annual meetup for the music tech and hip-hop communities to network, A3C is committed to building a music tech community around the already vibrant hip-hop community.

“Hip-hop is the most important, influential, and often largest user base for many music tech startups. Hip-hop artists are early adopters and frequently the most engaged community on social and music platforms,” explains A3C Director Mike Walbert. “We’re looking for companies that are reaching out to music makers. We're hoping to find and elevate tech startups that promise to transform how music is being created, shared, discovered, marketed and monetized. We feel these are the key elements that affect an artist’s life and are directly impacted by technology.”

Five music tech startups have been invited to showcase their companies to a panel of music industry veterans and hip-hop icons at the A3C Conference on October 5, 2018. Startups will participate in a multi-day experience connecting them with Atlanta’s tech community, music industry, artists and producers. The startups selected are able to engage with potential partners, advocates, and users to receive useful and actionable feedback.

This year’s finalists are The Labz, Amuse, SKIO, Buzznog, and Songlink. 2017 music tech startups included: Record Gram, Jammber, The UpNext, BrandSnap & RapChat. The startups will pitch to a diverse panel of Atlanta’s most influential culture and tech leaders: Paul Judge (TechSquare Labs, Co-Founder & Partner), Ryan Wilson (The Gathering Spot, Co-Founder & CEO) and Kevin “Coach K” Lee (Quality Control, Co-Founder).

The Startup Spotlight rounds out A3C’s programming on The Future of Music Tech, which features a series of panels, presentations and events highlighting pioneers behind innovative tech companies at the forefront of the music industry. All about the technology changing how music is created, shared, discovered, marketed and monetized, the programming takes place on at the Loudermilk Center and will culminate with the Startup Spotlight Showcase.

Panels Include:

• The Future of Creating & Collaborating
• The Future of Sharing & Discovery
• The Future of Data
• The Future of Distribution & Monetization

More about the 2018 A3C Startup Spotlight Finalists

The Labz         
Presenter: Farah Allen (CEO / Founder)
The Labz helps song creators protect and memorialize their music by centralizing their collaboration by automatically logging the contributions of individual team members, and instantly publishing their work on a blockchain-backed song information page.

Amuse
Presenter: Diego Farias (CEO / Co-Founder)
Amuse is the world’s first mobile record label combining free distribution to all major streaming platforms with a next generation A&R service on an innovative digital platform.

SKIO Music
Presenter: Omri Amouyal (VP Business Development + Co-Founder)
SKIO Music is a licensing marketplace and creator platform. On SKIO, artists can easily clear rights to remix, sample or synch directly with the rights owners. They can also set up collaborations or work-for-hire agreements using our built-in legal interface to create custom deals and split sheets.

Buzznog
Presenter: Rey Clemons (Artist Relations)
Buzznog is a direct to fan platform that provides different tools and metrics within our app to deliver content and engage with fans. They provide solutions for artists, festivals, and brands.

Songlink
Presenter: Nick Merich (Co-Founder + CIO)
Songlink enables artists to share music better and more efficiently without worrying about which music streaming platform your friends, family or fans use. Their services find each song and album on every streaming platform, so you can share one link and allow everyone to listen.
 

Independent hip-hop artists have limited time and resources, and they want to use them to make music. There isn’t always much left over to work on other creative, career-driving assets. As overwhelming as this aspect of a musician’s life can be, to be successful, it's essential make each opportunity count.

A3C's Creator Complex (October 5, 2018) brings together all the resources artists need to solve this dilemma. The program connects artists and producers with creative professionals and company experts to create valuable digital assets and provide actionable insight. Artists and producers will be able to get a headshot, master music, make beats, record music, write a bio, develop a website, optimize their YouTube page, audit their social media and add scratches to their records.

The 2018 creative partners include: YouTube, Landing Lion, AKAI, Sounds.com, Native Instruments, Motion Family, Gray Matter Collective, DJ Scratch Academy, SocialWerk, Wish Media and LANDR. The Creator Complex is in association with - and operated by - istandard.

"A3C is dedicated to providing artists with information, connections and resources to be successful, and the Creator Complex is the manifestation of that mission,” explains A3C Director Mike Walbert. “No conference, festival, or organization has developed anything like the Creator Complex, and we're immensely proud of the impact will have on artists’ lives." 

The Creator Complex takes place from 10am to 10pm on Friday, October 5th at Georgia State University's Creative Media Industries Institute. All official 2018 A3C Artists, DJs and Producers as well as Executive, 5-Day and Conference wristbands can attend for free. There are no additional expenses for experiences within the complex.

In 2017, A3C launched the Creator Complex to help provide additional value for artists traveling from across the world to Atlanta. The response from the creatives and music makers was overwhelming. Collectively, A3C's partners will contribute an estimated $100,000 worth of free services and assets to over 500 artists and producers.

“The A3C Creator Complex is a one-stop-shop for priceless resources that all artists, producers, DJs, and creatives are in desperate need of,” says J Hatch, co-founder of istandard. “To be able to move through a space that provides support, knowledge and a structure to an individual's career path is truly an experience that cannot be found at any other festival or conference. Not only will attendees gain access to these opportunities, they will leave with high-quality, tangible materials that will enhance their awareness level within the industry they are trying to penetrate. istandard is proud to partner with A3C to power the Creator Complex and continue to bring a level of urgency to the music creator as they elevate their status professionally.”

Georgia State University's Creative Media Industries Institute (CMII)’s mission is to contribute to Atlanta’s emergence as a global creative capital. CMII was formed to strengthen connections between arts and media students and the region’s creative industries. CMII is a creative media/arts center with production and post-production studios, research labs, and entrepreneurial suites.

“The Creative Media Industries Institute at Georgia State University is proud to partner with A3C for the second annual Creator Complex being hosted in our state of the art facility. Connecting content creators and entrepreneurs with media industry professionals is crucial to the CMII mission,” notes Steve Jones, Professor of Practice/Music at GSU’s Creative Media Industries Institute. “The Creator Complex is an opportunity for many of our students to absorb knowledge from these professionals and to gain assets that will help them further their careers. This is a win/win/win for CMII, A3C and the attendees.”

Experiences

• Page Reviews w/ YouTube
• Websites w/ Landing Lion
• Make Beats in the AKAI Pro Lab
• Headshots w/ Motion Family
• Remix Sessions w/ Sounds.com
• Guidance Sessions w/ Native Instruments
• Writers Room w/ Gray Matter Collective
• Scratch your Records w/ DJ Scratch Academy
• Mastering w/ LANDR
• Bio Writing w/ Wish Media
• Social Media Audits w/ SocialWerk

2017 By The Numbers:

• 55 Podcasts Recorded
• 60 Websites Designed
• 100 Bios Written
• 100 Beats Produced
• 60 Albums Mastered
• 40 Logos Designed
• 75 Freestyles Recorded
• 120 Headshots Taken

The 2018 A3C Creator Complex Experiences

Optimize Your Page with YouTube
Join the YouTube team in the Artist Lounge where you'll be able to meet us 1:1, optimize your channels with an audience development specialist, use YouTube Live, partake in feedback sessions, and create content for your growing YouTube channels.

Build a Website with Landing Lion
As an attendee of the Creator Complex you will receive special access to the Landing Lion studio, where you can create a website that will help you build your brand and amplify your music career … in just a half hour! Book a 1:1 consultation with experts from Landing Lion, a leading web-publishing platform.

Produce at Beat at AKAI's MPC Experience
Make fire beats at the MPC Live and MPC X demo stations. MPC specialists will be on hand to answer any questions and provide pro-tips.

Get a Headshot by Motion Family
Resident photographers will be shooting head shots and full body profiles. Artists will be provided between 3-5 unmarked head shots and/or full body profiles within 14 days.

Make a New Beat at the Sounds.com Remix Sessions
Creators will sign into Sounds.com and be given a sound pack to work from and 90 minutes to make the best track you can. Special industry judges will pick the 3 best remixes per session to receive a brand-new software package from Native Instruments.

Artist Guidance Session by Native Instruments
Native Instrument Product Specialists & guest producers will be available to give you guidance in exclusive 1 on 1 sessions for producers and artists and answer any of your technical questions.

Co-writer and record new music with Gray Matter Collective
Writers/topliners will be able to submit for an opportunity to work closely with WLPWR [producer for Eminem, Wiz Khalifa, Yelawolf, Big Krit, Asap Rocky, The Game & more] for potential sync opportunities in film, tv and video games. 10 Selected writer/topliners will choose beats from WLPWR & team, write and record based on descriptions presented for said sync opportunities.

Add Scratch to your Records with DJ Scratch Academy
World class turntablists and DJs will add some additional flare to your original track to stand out.

Master your Music with LANDR
Instant mastering for a maximum of 15 tracks. Masters will be sent automatically via email once completed on-site.

Write your Bio with Wish Media
Press professionals will review, consult and edit press releases and artist bios. Artists will leave the sessions with a professionally written bio and/or press release.

Audit your Social Media Profiles with SocialWerk
SocialWerk representatives will do candid 1 on 1 Social Media Audits with Creator Complex Attendees to identify strengths and areas of opportunity on their various social platforms and help create a basic plan going forward for their online presence.

Hip-Hop is a springboard, a sounding board, and an inspiration for some of America’s most innovative, creative grassroots initiatives. The 14 year old organization dedicated to educating and empowering the artists and entrepreneurs that shape hip-hop culture A3C knows the importance of supporting creative non-profits working hard to make an impact in their communities.

Last year, A3C launched the Action Summit for social justice to create a place to discuss social justice challenges, learn from community leaders and develop actionable initiatives. This year’s Action Summit features Killer Mike, Talib Kweli and Trae The Truth.

“Hip-Hop and justice have often gone hand in hand, and A3C wants to underline that,” says Mike Walbert of A3C. “Our Action events are our way of paying tribute to this powerful current in the music we love and to help support the music makers and lovers who use this power to do real good in their communities.”

Over the past three years, the A3C Action programs have given more than $30,000 to 17 non-profits chosen from more than 500 applications. In 2018, the A3C Action Accelerator will invite another group of activists seeking to create real change for an intensive bootcamp in Atlanta. Co-developed and led by the Center for Civic Innovation, the training embraces all aspects of growing and running a non-profit: management, sustainability, scalability, messaging and marketing. The one-on-one work with A3C Action participants culminates in a Pitch Night (October 5, 2018) at the Action Summit, where one organization is selected by a panel of judges to receive $10,000 in funding. 

“The A3C Accelerator shines light on some of the most incredible grassroots ideas from around the country,” says Rohit Malhotra, Director of the Center for Civic Innovation. “Every year, we are inspired and humbled by the stories of people who, against many odds, are building programs for people in their community. It’s amazing to just be a part of their journey, and in a time like right now, their work is necessary to showcase.”

These grants are often the first, deciding influx of financial support these nascent change-makers see. As Malika Whatley of 2016 winner Chop Art enthused, “A3C Action was the financial first bet that was ever taken on ChopArt from an institution. It helped other funders begin to look at us and make investments as well, and media outlets interested in telling our story.”

This year’s A3C Action Accelerator cohort includes: 

Hip Hop Mentoring Cypher Sessions: A creative wellness program that uses hip hop to engage teens on issues of critical thinking, emotional wellbeing, and social justice

Words Liive: a technology-powered, music-based literacy program that automates the connection of literary concepts to popular music by producing lesson plans for educators

Cool Moms Dance Too: Fun, multigenerational fitness and dance classes designed to improve the mental and physical health and connectedness of families

Supreme MCs Rule Hip Hop Expression Program: A music education program that uses hip hop as a gateway to self-discovery and positive coping skills

FlexIn FlexOut: Workshops get youth dancing inside detention and foster care facilities, coupled with programming to continue the mentorship once kids get outside

The public can engage with a passionate community, learn about creative ideas and discover new ways to create change at the Action Summit on October 4-5, 2018 at the Auburn Ave Research Library for African American Studies. Speakers include Talib Kweli, Killer Mike, Shanti Das, Trae the Truth, Dr. David Wall Rice, Representative Bruce Franks, Jr. and other prominent artists, activists, and academics to be announced. 

“I think the Action Summit is what makes A3C stand out from the rest of music festivals and conferences,” notes Stic of Dead Prez, “and this aspect represents its investment and involvement in elevating the community consciousness in a real way.”