Sony Music Entertainment Germany and Music Women* Germany launch third edition of Female Producer Prize

16 April 2024 - Press release

Applications open today until 15^th May 2024 for female-identifying and non-binary producers of all music genres

Winners’ prizes include production coaching, grants, free music equipment and a producer workshop at Sony Music Germany’s Circle Studios

In this year’s award, the Prize has two distinct categories instead of one.


Sony Music Entertainment Germany and non-profit artist association Music Women* Germany announce today the launch of the third edition of the Female* Producer Prize. Female* producers of all music genres based in the GSA region can apply until May 15. This year, for the first time, winners will be awarded in two categories: 'Producer' and 'Self-Producing Artist', with five awards up for grabs per category.

 

Women are still underrepresented in music production. An analysis of the Billboard Hot 100 Year-End charts showed that in 2023 only 6.5% of the producers involved were women². In Germany a charts analysis led by Sony Music showed that less than 2% of producers involved in the German top 100 single charts were female. The initiators of the Female* Producer Prize want to foster change in the industry and create a platform for female* producers. From today until May 15, 2024, female* producers of all music genres can apply online via this link www.femaleproducerprize.com (note to editors: the website is not online yet)

Award winners* in two categories
"This year, we are delighted to open the prize to two categories instead of one - Producer and Self-Producing Artist. Our aim is to promote excellent female* music producers and give them the spotlight they deserve. Successful role models are key when it comes to paving the way for up-and-coming female* producers and thus contributing to a more diverse music landscape," says Jovanka v. Wilsdorf, initiator of the Female* Producer Prize.

Increase visibility of female* producers
"With Sony Music's knowledge and network, we want to support female* music producers in establishing themselves and thus further increase the visibility of women in the male-dominated music industry. It is of great importance that women and men alike have the opportunity to work together to appreciate and utilize the diversity of ideas and perspectives,” says Henrike Blome, Senior Manager A&R at Four Music/Sony Music and this year's jury member of the Female* Producer Prize.

The Female* Producer Prize is aimed at up-and-coming female* music producers and those who have already established themselves professionally. "As Music Women* Germany, we are delighted that female* producers from all over Germany are applying for this prize. We want to promote empowerment and sustainable collaborations," says Pamela Owusu-Brenyah, board member of Music Women* Germany. 

Support in building a strong network
Together with Sony Music, Music Women Germany, Thomann, winners will receive a support package consisting of production grants, vouchers for music equipment and a producer workshop at the Sony Music Germany’s Circle Studios together with top-class producers and experts from the music industry. The winners will also be added to the Female Producer Register of Sony Music with various labels and artists. Other supporters of the initiative are Sony Music Publishing and the Female* Producer Collective, who will also offer coaching sessions and their broad network.

In the past two years, more than 300 applications were submitted, of which 12 female* music producers were announced winners, including Novaa, Nora Medín, Sheyda Minia and Mona Yim.

"The Female* Producer Prize creates visibility and helps women to be heard more in the male-dominated music scene," says Sheyda Minia, producer and winner of the Female* Producer Prize 2023.

The Female* Producer Prize is supported by RBX GmbH with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media, Thomann Musikhaus, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing and the SAE institute.

The selection criteria is based on the quality of the productions as well as a Producer’s individual musical signature. In this round, a jury made up of producers, songwriters and A&R managers will select ten finalists, evaluating applicants based on the quality of their productions and their individual musical signature:

 

The jury of the Female* Producer Prize 2024

• Henrike Blome, Senior Manager A&R at Four Music/Sony Music
• Isabel Gracefield, Producer / Mixer / Engineer, Credits i.a. Adele, Sam Smith, Tom Walker, Dua Lipa, Dune 2
• Noraa, Musician / songwriter, Credits i.a. Sting, Cro, Feder, Fakear, Medine, Jugglerz
• Vincent v. Schlippenbach, Part of the music production team „The Krauts“, Credits i.a. Peter Fox, Beatsteaks, Marteria, SEEED, Dendemann, Miss Platnum
• Inéz, Singer / Composer, Credits i.a. ÄTNA, Peter Fox, Dendemann, Nina Hagen, Solomun, Alli Neumann, Krauts, Marteria, BR Sinfonie Orchester

^[1] By using the * we want to include all persons identifying as female and non-binary persons
² Source: 2024 USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Study on popular music