A3C is more than just a festival and conference, but essentially an annual Hip-Hop reunion! This is where artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, technology, activism and media experts all come together in the name of Hip-Hop culture. Our A3C Conference hosts tons of panels, workshops, mixers, mentor sessions and interviews with hundreds of industry professionals to learn, connect and create.
There’s never a dull moment. In fact, A3C has 5 different tracks, Artist Accelerator, Beatstars Summit, Labelx, Music Tech and our Action Summit . No worries on where to start. Here’s a helpful guide to decide which tracks may be best suited for you based on your position, passions and goals.
For Who: Independent hip-hop artists and managers
Purpose: This track enables Hip-Hop artists to take control of their career and elevate to new levels. Panels will allow you to network with innovators and industry leaders to learn about current trends, resources, future technology and press. Get tips on creative marketing, digital branding strategies and making the most of your music career.
Speakers: Angela Rye, IMPACT Strategist and CEO, Steve Rifkind, Wav Media Head of Talent, DJ Drama, MC Lyte, Sunni Gyrl Inc CEO, Amber Grimes, Spotify Urban Manager
Events: Keys to Artist Development with Today’s Top Managers, Artist’s Essential Guide to Hip-Hop, Mentorship Session: Women in Charge, Marketing Music: Creating A Digital Strategy, Press Relations Do’s and Don’ts, and many more!
For Who: Entrepreneurial Producers and Beatmakers
Purpose: This track empowers producers and beat makers to become entrepreneurs and create new revenue streams. Panels allow you to network with peers and influential music industry professionals while experimenting with the newest hardware, software and technology. You can create new music and collaborate with Hip-Hop’s most talented artists.
Speakers: Don Cannon, Producer and A&R, Producer Sonny Digital, Music Group and CEO, Producer Zaytoven, Producer Bangladesh, Producer StreetRunner
Events: Meet and Greet with DJ Drama and Don Cannon, Super Producers: Driving the Sound of Hip-Hop, Live Beat Making, Making Waves: Placing Beats, Producing Hits and Making Money, Publishing and Licensing, and many more!
3. LABELX
For Who: Innovative labels, music companies and collectives
Purpose: This track allows you to connect with innovators in the music industry to stimulate originality and entrepreneurship. Connect with top labels, music companies and collective in the forefront of the rapidly evolving music industry in these panel to discuss trends, technology, cultivate growth and promote best music business practices.
Speakers: A-Trak, Fools Gold CEO Producer, Justice Baiden, LRVN Records Owner, Dina Marto, Twelve Music Studios Owner, Tia Swint, Empire Distribution Marketing Manager, Brian Hobbs, SXSW Festival Programmer
Events: 10 Years Of Fool’s Gold Records: Running an Independent Label, Keys to Artist Development with Today’s Top Managers, Curating the Next Wave of Music Experiences for the Culture, Creative Deal Making: A Look Inside Today’s Artist Deals, Alternative Financing: Know Your Options, and many more!
4. MUSIC TECH
For Who: Startups, music industry, entrepreneurs and investors
Purpose: This track is to connect with music tech startups, end-users and music industry leaders to spark innovative partnerships. Panels will allow you to discover new music technology that impacts how artists share, create, market and monetize music. Meet and learn from those behind the most innovative tech advances in music.
Speakers: Fadia Kader, Instagram Strategist Partnerships Manager, Lars Murray, Pandora SVP Strategic Partnership, Allen Nance, Techsquare Labs Founder, Jewel Burks, Amazon Team Lead Visual Reasearcher, Abe Batshon, Beatsars CEO, Dallas Austin, Rowdy Digital Media CEO
Events: One Live Podcast with Angela Rye, Music Tech Experience Kickoff Brunch, The Future of Music Streaming: Playlists and Music Discovery, Creative Interface: Hip-Hop + Tech Presented By Wework, Monetizing Mounds of Data From Streaming Music, and many more!
For Who: Activist, academics and artists
Purpose: Sponsored by Center for Civic Innovation and the Hip Hop Caucus, this track is for those who are ‘bout that action! Panels will feature rap artist, activist, a founder of non profit organizations who embrace art, music and hip hop culture to advance social justice and civic engagement. Come connect and learn from community leaders and develop actionable initiative to that will inform and empower you to shape the future of your community through social impact.
Speakers: Joey Womack, Goodie Nation Founder, Nora Rahimian, #CultureFix Founder, Liz Havstad, Hip Hop Caucus Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director, Timmothy Anne Burnside, Curator of the National Museum of African American History and Culture
Events: A3C Action Pitch Competition, It’s Bigger Than Hip Hop: Emcess, Social Justice and Activism, The Hidden Activism of Outkast, The Future of Hip Hop in Academia, Police Brutality and Racial Profiling, any many more!