Introducing: Beats Inclusive

Here at Stage Whisper-Her, one of our goals is to help spread the word about our favorite up and coming artists, but we also want to begin featuring different groups and collectives doing some really cool things within the music industry!

So, let me introduce you to Beats Inclusive!

I had the chance to talk to recent NYU Music Business graduate, Bebe Howell, about her new passion project, Beats Inclusive.

Bebe and co-founder, Dani Velasquez, met through raving, and both have a deep love of EDM. While they hope to work in the EDM industry some day, Bebe explained that during the course of their internships, both women realized that they were among the only women in the offices they each worked in. Not only are women in the minority on the business side of the music industry, but Bebe also emphasized the fact that there are very few women EDM artists represented within the scene as a whole. It’s not that these artists don’t exist, but that they aren’t given the same platform as male DJs.

Bebe Howell

Dani Velasquez

Bebe and Dani recognized this was a major issue, and decided to take the matter into their own hands by creating a space for underrepresented EDM artists and producers. Using their Instagram and Twitter platforms (@beatsinclusive), Beats Inclusive highlights woman-identifying, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ artists and producers in the electronic music scene.

Beats Inclusive is currently focusing on their Beats Inclusive NMF playlist on Spotify, where every week they add their favorite new songs by woman-identifying, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ artists. They are beginning to spotlight artists on their page, and are using their platform to highlight different stats about women within the EDM industry, proving that there is a lack of representation for women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ people in EDM.

To Dani and Bebe, it’s important that the music industry is pushing to create a safe space for these artists. Making these artists, particularly women, feel more empowered and safe, especially after all of the sexual assault and abuse cases that came to light in the industry in recent years, will continue to be a goal for Bebe and Dani.

Check out the Beats Inclusive NMF and Beats Inclusive NMF: Archive playlists on Spotify, and follow them on Instagram and Twitter @beatsinclusive! You won’t want to miss what the women-run, Beats Inclusive collective is planning for the future!