“Untagged 2021” marks the first-ever She Is The Music writing camp in Asia
Universal Music Publishing (UMP) China, the China division of a leading, global music publisher, and She Is The Music (SITM), a global nonprofit working to increase the number of women in music, partnered to launch a Beijing-based all-women songwriting camp, Untagged 2021, comprised of nearly 30 women musicians from nine countries and regions. This marks the nonprofit’s first songwriting camp in Asia.
With participants joining both in-studio and online, Untagged 2021 took place from June 5th to 8th in UMP China’s new songwriting space in Beijing. Writers, producers and artists gathered to create songs tailored to specific demands out of the Asian market, including virtual idol, gaming, TV & movie and video platforms in China.
Among the camp’s songwriters: Lona Chen, co-producer of the Golden Melody award-winning album ‘When Light & Shadow Meet;’ music reality show “Chuang 2020” singer-songwriter idol Chiyo (ONE Leader); MTV Super Festival’s Best New Artist Cindy Yen (JVR); China’s Central Music Conservatory composer and professor Shaolu Li; InsMode Award’s Asia Best Hip Hop R&B female artist Zoe Yu; and the first Chinese artist to enter the Billboard Dance Club Chart Top 40 Akini Jing; as well as online participants from USA, Mexico, South Korea, Malaysia, and Australia. Additionally, Golden Melody Award-winning recording engineer Hanwen Ni from Studio 21A supported the camp.
Joe Fang, Managing Director of UMP China and Hong Kong, said: “An innovative new effort out of UMP China, Untagged songwriting camps reinforce the truth that great music can come from anyone, anywhere. These camps are designed to empower songwriters to freely create, eliminating preconceived mindsets toward whom the songs are made by and instead focusing solely on the music.”
Fang continued: “After connecting with SITM and spending months learning from them, we’ve decided to focus the first of this series on our female creators across the industry and the ocean, opening up opportunities to present their works, talents and themselves directly to the China market. Extremely positive response from our clients affirms this belief and approach. It is such a great pleasure working with the pioneer in this field, She Is The Music, and together bringing this initiative into Asia.”
Michelle Arkuski, Executive Director of SITM said: “SITM is honored to have partnered with UMP China on their first female-focused “Untagged Songwriting” camp. With so much creativity and talent in China’s music market, this is an outstanding initiative that shines a light on deserving women. We are thrilled to break new creative ground and hope this will inspire likeminded efforts for women around the world.”
An independent organization promoting equality, inclusivity and opportunity for women in music, SITM has three core programs: an all-women songwriting series; the largest industry database of women working in music; and mentorship program. The global nonprofit was cofounded in 2018 by superstar Alicia Keys, Universal Music Publishing Group Chairman and CEO Jody Gerson, Grammy Award-winning producer and engineer Ann Mincieli, and Co-Head of UTA Music Sam Kirby Yoh. Other Board Directors include Dr. Stacy Smith, founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, and Rebeca Leon, cofounder and CEO of Lionfish Entertainment.
Participant singer-songwriter-artist Akini Jing said: “I never look at myself as a woman songwriter. I am just a songwriter. However, the outside may not see that way. As women, we have always been labeled by this or that. In the Untagged camp, I’m encouraged by the spirit from SITM, and moreover, inspired by those incredible girls around - their hard-working, extremely high team spirit, and loud laughter while making music together. I am very proud of us, and we all know it has just begun to make a difference.”
For its first camp, Untagged’s songwriters included: Akini Jing, Lona Chen, Chiyo, Siena Wu, Shu Li, Miao Huo, Shanshan Huang, Shaolu Li, Zulan, NoNo Chen, Lingci Kong, FAE, XiuLing Nangong, Moi Yang, Shining S.Y., NIA Yang, Lovia Yu, Yshu, Zoe Yu, Eileen (Hong Kong), Kenix Cheang (Hong Kong), Cindy Yen(Taiwan), Jiyeon Park (South Korea), NISHA (US), FLVCKKA (Mexico), Maribelle (Australia), Yise Loo (Malaysia), and Cristal Coleman (US).
