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Alicia Keys made a key point in her acceptance speech for the Global Impact Award at the 2025 Grammys: \u201cIt\u2019s strange that we don\u2019t think of women as producers like Quincy [Jones], Dr. Dre or Swizz [Beats], but women producers have always powered the industry,\u201d she shared, shouting out the likes of Patrice Rushen, Grimes and Solange Knowles, as well as citing her own experience trying to earn respect as a producer in her own right.<\/p>\n
Ebonie Smith<\/u><\/a>, the founder and president of Gender Amplified<\/u><\/a>, has been working on countering that lack of opportunity and recognition for women and gender-expansive producers since 2007, when she was a senior at Barnard College. \u201cWith the support of my senior thesis advisor in the Africana Studies department, I conducted an ethnography on women music producers in the NYC metropolitan area. Through my research, I discovered that many of these women didn\u2019t know each other, despite working in the same field,\u201d Smith tells PAPER<\/em><\/em>. \u201cThis realization led me to create the first Gender Amplified conference in the spring of 2007, bringing together the women from my thesis for a groundbreaking event focused on women in hip-hop production. The energy in that room was unforgettable, and after graduating, I continued the work \u2014 transforming Gender Amplified into a thriving community and movement.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Going on to become senior audio engineer and producer at Atlantic Records, Smith has worked on the likes of the Broadway cast album of Hamilton<\/em><\/em>, Janelle Mon\u00e1e’s Dirty Computer<\/em><\/em> and Cardi B’s Invasion Of Privacy<\/em><\/em>. She\u2019s thus been able to see first-hand “the macro and micro systemic challenges that women and gender-expansive music producers face.\u201d Through Gender Amplified, Smith has helped up-and-coming women and gender-expansive producers connect, grow and break down barriers through community events, recording initiatives and Ctrl Room Series, a songwriting and production camp.<\/p>\n Gender Amplified\u2019s first EP, In Bloom<\/a>,<\/em><\/em> is a product of the special alchemy that comes from that Series, which has produced long-lasting relationships and creative partnerships, the results of which are blossoming via this sonically rich three-song EP. \u201cI will never forget the first time I heard ‘Future Number<\/u><\/a>,’ a song created in one of our camps in 2022 [and featured on the EP],\u201d Smith says. \u201cI was moved to tears \u2014 not just by the lyricism, but by the brilliant concept of a woman calling her younger self from a future number to reassure her that everything will be okay.\u201d Indeed, in each song on the EP, one can hear the confluence of multiple voices and musical backgrounds.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The EP features Olivia Reid<\/u><\/a>, virgogabrielle<\/u><\/a>, Lyd Marie<\/u><\/a>, Dance Arts Center<\/u><\/a>, Caro <3<\/u><\/a>, Kinseli Baricuatro<\/u><\/a>, Ms. Madli<\/u><\/a> and Madeline McQueen\/Alice Fraser<\/u><\/a>, and was made possible by the creativity and advocacy of Smith and Natalie Sears, Gender Amplified\u2019s Operations Manager. <\/p>\n PAPER<\/em> chatted with Smith about her important work, the process behind In Bloom<\/em><\/em>, and what Gender Amplified\u2019s work means in our fraught political moment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n You’ve been able to see so many sides of the industry through your work as a producer, songwriter and artist. How has your experience in the industry shaped Gender Amplified’s work and mission?<\/strong><\/p>\n One of the things I\u2019m most proud of about Gender Amplified is that our work isn\u2019t just theoretical \u2014 it\u2019s rooted in real experiences, not just academic papers or distant discourse. Having spent 12 years working on high-profile projects at the major label level, I\u2019ve had first hand exposure to both the macro and micro systemic challenges that women and gender-expansive music producers face. I\u2019ve lived those challenges myself while navigating the industry, but I\u2019ve also witnessed the incredible progress being made.<\/p>\n In recent years, we\u2019ve seen a surge of new initiatives supporting women in production, and many women are actively breaking barriers \u2014 winning awards, earning major nominations and contributing to some of the biggest records in the world. Thanks to my access and experience, I\u2019ve had the unique privilege of seeing both sides: the obstacles that still exist and the victories that deserve to be celebrated. Many of the women leading this charge are not just industry peers but also friends, and that makes this work even more meaningful.<\/p>\n This perspective has directly shaped Gender Amplified\u2019s business model, ensuring that our focus remains on actionable initiatives that genuinely move the needle \u2014 rather than performative efforts. By prioritizing tangible opportunities, resources and community-building, we\u2019ve created a platform that goes beyond surface-level advocacy to make a real impact in the industry.<\/p>\n Gender Amplified has been championing women and gender-expansive producers for years, but<\/strong> In Bloom<\/em><\/strong><\/em> marks the organization\u2019s first official music release. What inspired this evolution, and what impact do you hope it has on the industry?<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019ve always believed that the music created in our Gender Amplified camps should be released into the world for people to hear. So many producers, regardless of background, struggle with having incredible tracks sitting on hard drives, never seeing the light of day. In today\u2019s streaming economy, those tracks could be generating income and providing valuable exposure instead of collecting digital dust.<\/p>\n Our move into music distribution has been a long time coming. Finding the right partner took time, but when I met with Cat Kreidich at Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), I knew we had found the right fit. Her leadership and the dedication of her team have been instrumental in guiding us through this process. It truly makes a difference to work with people who are excited about the music we\u2019re creating.<\/p>\n Our producers deserve a partnership that offers both the full strength of a major label and the hands-on, thoughtful approach of a dedicated team. This collaboration marks a major step forward for Gender Amplified, ensuring that the incredible work coming out of our camps reaches audiences and makes the impact it was always meant to.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/h3>\n
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