In a slight twist to the usual, November’s instalment of Industry Takeover focused solely on women in music (and its about time to be honest). The music industry in particular on the urban side of things has always seen women struggle to get the respect they deserve for doing the same, and sometimes even better job than their male counterparts. Being fully aware of this, Urban Development got together a selection of female tastemakers in all areas of the music business to express their journeys right to the top of the game in their respective areas. RWD Mag’s very own Contributing Editor amongst many other things, Chantelle Fiddy, emcee Lioness, Flavour Magazine’s Annika Allen, Charmaine Hayden, founder of Face 4 Music as well as DJ and Stylist Sarah Young all made up the panel and gave advice to the budding hopefuls sat in the audience.

“Urban Development and the Industry Takeover crew know how to entertain their crowd.”

Main points were put to each of the panel as they spoke about not being taken seriously at first. Lioness pointed out it takes a lot more for a woman to prove herself in the scene so they need to try a lot harder than men to get the same respect. Once the floor was opened up for the audience questions they were able to find out more about each of the panellists’ rise to success. Most took the same route and started with eagerness, persistence and a belief that it was what they wanted to do and there was no alternative but to keep at it until you got what you wanted. Whether that meant doing a job you didn’t like on the side for money to subsidise journalism commissions, gigging or working for free for two to three years. All in all it was definitely inspirational for anyone either taking their first steps into the industry or better still those with one foot in the door looking to take things to the next level. 

Urban Development and the Industry Takeover crew know how to entertain their crowd so after the panellists inspired the audience, the open mic section opened up with a mix of talent from accapellas to requests for the accompaniment of the band. After a handful of singers and emcees each tried their hand at the mic, an emcee by the name of Byron came on with some crazy energy, connected with the crowd immediately and won the opening slot at the next Industry Takeover in December.

“It was definitely inspirational for anyone either taking their first steps into the industry.”   

From the open mic things moved on to stars in the making, including Shani Cuppcake who happened to be managed by one of the panellists, Charmaine Hayden. Shani nailed her vocals performing her popular single, ‘Take It Low’ as well as the Ill Blu produced ‘Say Yes’. She’s going to be touring this month alongside Chase and Status so if you get the chance you should definitely get down to one of their dates to see the teen sensation perform. Bianca Monet’s RnB-Gospel influences shone through on stage as the singer/songwriter wowed the audience with the strength and control of her powerful voice (which is probably the reason why she has worked with the likes of Leona Lewis, fellow performer Lioness and Bennie Bizzie).

“[RoxXxan] reminisced bout how standing on the very same Industry  Takeover stage a year ago had helped her secure her recent signing to Polydor."

Birmingham bred emcee, RoxXxan came to the stage thanking Urban Development as she reminisced about how standing on the very same Industry Takeover stage a year ago had helped her secure her recent signing to Polydor. With the thanks out the way RoxXxan went in with pure fire and energy.

Lioness was the last artist to grace the stage, but by no means least. Earlier on the panel she had said that she often gets mistaken for a singer when she arrives at gigs because of her feminine dress sense as opposed to the generic image of a grime emcee. Personally, I think it’s pretty hard to think about what she’s wearing when the live band are playing S-X’s ‘Woo Riddim’ and she’s spitting bars without taking a breath, so forget about those image conscious fools. Lioness’ final track was accompanied by back up singers as she spat about her own tale of forbidden love, closed the show nicely.

For those that didn’t make it down you’re obviously not serious so you probably won’t be reading this anyway, but if you are, make sure you get down to the next Industry Takeover special in December, ‘Rhymes 2 Riches’ which is all about making money from the music industry and will feature a stellar panel of entrepreneurs and industry professionals.

WORDS: Nardene Scott

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LINKS

• View the latest footage from Industry Takeover - Beats, Business & Beauty: Women in Music here.
• Check out the photo gallery from Industry Takeover - Beats, Business & Beauty: Women in Music here.