Recap: Hit Songwriters Timbaland, Alex Warren, Joelle James, Sarah Hudson, Big Daddy Kane and More at ASCAP Experience 2023: Inspiring Music Creators, Celebrating Hip-Hop and Uniting the Global Songwriting Community

(L-R) Darrell Brown, Neff-U, Dayna Madison and Andre Fortier speak onstage during the ASCAP Experience 2023 on June 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP)

LOS ANGELES, June 22, 2023 – ASCAP Experience, the signature event created by ASCAP to inspire, educate and connect aspiring songwriters and composers worldwide, arrived in Los Angeles as a reimagined one-day live edition on June 21. This highly anticipated annual event brought together talented music creators from every genre imaginable, providing a platform for them to turn their passion for music into successful careers.

The sold-out ASCAP Experience 2023, formerly known as ASCAP "I Create Music” EXPO, marked a milestone in its 18-year evolution. Aspiring music creators enjoyed panels and performances that delivered practical advice, artistic inspiration and invaluable networking opportunities. The dynamic atmosphere encouraged collaboration and shared experiences among music creators.

EVENT IMAGES

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Photo credit: Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP

Big Daddy Kane (L) and Easy Mo Bee speak onstage during the ASCAP Experience 2023 on June 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP)

One of the day’s standout sessions was Celebrating 50 Years of Hip-Hop. Hip-hop pioneers Big Daddy Kane and Easy Mo Bee shared personal stories of how hip-hop shaped their lives and careers. Moderated by Datwon Thomas, Editor of Vibe, this engaging discussion highlighted the groundbreaking influence of icons like Biz Markie, Biggie Smalls, Tupac Shakur and more, captivating the audience with the history of hip-hop’s profound cultural significance. 

Another highlight was the King Stays King: Keynote Interview with the legendary Timbaland. Moderated by Ray Daniels, CEO, Raydar and host of The GAUDS Show podcast, this interview delved into Timbaland's remarkable journey and contributions to R&B, hip-hop and pop production over the past 25+ years. Attendees were inspired by Timbaland's innovative musical mind and dedication to pushing boundaries.

(L-R) Paul Williams, Hitmaka, Anna Waronker, Steph Jones, Sarah Hudson, James Fauntleroy, and Kristin Robinson attend the ASCAP Experience 2023 on June 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP)

The opening Hitmakers panel, moderated by Kristin Robinson of Billboard, offered insights and inspiration from respected music creators who have achieved major success in recent years. Steph Jones, Hitmaka, James Fauntleroy, Anna Waronker and Sarah Hudson shared their unique journeys and decisions that propelled them to their current positions. Waronker advised attendees: “Prepare yourself for a lot of rejection and know that you will recover -- you will be ok! Know about this business. Know what money is coming in and how. Create an environment where you can flourish. Know what your goal is.”

(L-R) Maria Gironas, Alex Warren, and Caroline Kimiko Jensen speak onstage during the ASCAP Experience 2023 on June 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP)

In the Social Listening panel, singer-songwriter Alex Warren, Atlantic Records executive Caroline Kimiko Jensen and moderator Maria Gironas explored the strategic use of social media platforms to expand audiences and elevate music careers. Attendees took away actionable steps to effectively grow their fanbases in the social media age. “Authentically post about yourself, about your music, anyone who has written about a tough time in their life, just keep telling the story and people will eventually listen,” said Warren.

(L-R) Jazz Tangcay, Nick Lehman, Rachel Lyske, and Lucas Cantor Santiago speak onstage during the ASCAP Experience 2023 on June 21, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Lester Cohen/Getty Images for ASCAP)

Intelligently Navigating Artificial Intelligence, moderated by Variety’s Jazz Tangcay, with experts ASCAP Chief Digital and Strategy Officer Nick Lehman, composer Lucas Cantor Santiago and DAACI CEO Rachel Lyske, shed light on the evolving opportunities and challenges presented by AI in the music industry. Attendees gained valuable insights on how to enhance their creative processes while safeguarding their intellectual property. “What we’re headed towards is a lot more like the computer from Star Trek,” said Cantor Santiago. “It creates space for creativity. That’s what every new musical technology has done, it has always made us better, faster and more creative.”



The Get Heard: Live Song Feedback session was an audience favorite: a rare opportunity to hear selected songwriters receive honest opinions from experienced industry professionals.  Grammy-winning songwriters and producers Darrell Brown and Neff-U offered real-time feedback on pre-submitted songs, providing valuable insights in front of a live audience.

The day closed out with The Writers Jam featuring hit songwriters Joelle James, JT Harding and BUZZ performing and sharing the stories behind their biggest songs.

ASCAP Experience 2023 brought music creators together for a day of practical knowledge, new connections and a strengthened passion for their musical pursuits. As the only US PRO that operates on a not-for-profit basis, ASCAP is committed to supporting music creators, providing them with essential resources and opportunities to thrive in the ever-evolving music industry landscape.

About ASCAP

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) is a membership association of more than 920,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers, and represents some of the world’s most talented music creators. Founded and governed by songwriters, composers and publishers, it is the only performing rights organization in the U.S. that operates as a not-for-profit. ASCAP licenses a repertory of over 18 million musical works to hundreds of thousands of businesses that use music, including streaming services, cable television, radio and satellite radio and brick and mortar businesses such as retail stores, hotels, clubs, restaurants and bars. ASCAP collects the licensing fees; identifies, matches and processes trillions of performances every year; and returns nearly 90 cents of every dollar back to its members as royalties. The ASCAP blanket license offers an efficient solution for businesses to legally perform ASCAP music while respecting the right of songwriters and composers to be paid fairly. ASCAP puts music creators first, advocating for their rights and the value of music on Capitol Hill, driving innovation that moves the industry forward, building community and providing the resources and support that creators need to succeed in their careers. Learn more and stay in touch at www.ascap.com, on Twitter and Instagram @ASCAP and on Facebook.

CONTACT:

Hannah Schwartz

Shore Fire Media for ASCAP

hschwartz@shorefire.com