Thousands of women across the UK encouraged to #GETHEARD 

• ShaSimone, Ni’Sha, and Ariez Baby to receive Future Hitmaker Awards of £3,000, £2,000 and £1,000
• Winning tracks picked by some of the most influential A&Rs in the music industry including Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter and President of the PRS Members’ Council, Michelle Escoffery, Spotify UK/IE Artist and Label Partnership Lead, Safiya Lambie-Knight, and MOBO Award-winning British rapper, Tinie

Girls I Rate has announced that ShaSimone, Ni’Sha, and Ariez Baby have been selected from over 1000 applicants as winners of the 2021 #GETHEARD Future Hitmaker Competition, in partnership with PRS for Music and PRS Foundation.

The three songwriters were the unbeatable choices for the panel of judges, who were wowed by their songwriting capabilities, creative output and exceptional talent.

Girls I Rate, a movement focused on equality for young women in music, announced the 2021 #GETHEARD Future Hitmaker Competition earlier this year. In partnership with PRS for Music, which represents the rights of over 155,000 music creators and publishers, and PRS Foundation, the UK’s leading charitable funder of new music and talent development, the #GETHEARD Future Hitmaker Competition gives aspiring women songwriters the opportunity to receive funding and their first UK airplay on Girls I Rate’s weekly radio show on The Beat London 103.6FM.

Culminating in a live virtual event on Mixcloud on Sunday 27 June, hosted by GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and Girls I Rate Founder, Carla-Marie Williams, and MOBO Award winner and BBC Sound of 2017 shortlister, Nadia Rose, over 1800 people tuned in to hear the 10 shortlisted tracks. GIR DJ’s Joy & Schinx entertained the crowd playing a selection of hits from women across the globe including some of the #GETHEARD finalist songs.

The final three were selected by MOBO Award-winning British rapper, singer, composer and entrepreneur, Tinie, who sat on the judging panel with some of the most influential A&Rs in the music industry: Since ’93 Co-president, Riki Bleau, YouTube Artist Relations Manager, Sheniece Charway, Ivor Novello Award-winning songwriter and President of the PRS Members’ Council, Michelle Escoffery, BMG UK A&R Director, Felix Howard, Spotify UK/IE Artist and Label Partnership Lead, Safiya Lambie-Knight, and Downtown Music A&R Manager, Davina Merchant.

ShaSimone, Ni’Sha, and Ariez Baby will be awarded Future Hitmaker Awards of up to £3,000. Created in collaboration with Carla-Marie Williams, the Future Hitmaker Award is powered by PRS Foundation’s ground-breaking Hitmaker Fund and supported by Spotify.

Rapper, singer and songwriter, ShaSimone, has made a huge impression on the UK rap scene with a handful of razor-sharp freestyles. AKA Big Simma, the East London rapper is known for her clever word play, confidence, and bold statements. Since she hit the scene, ShaSimone has featured on Rob Bruce’s 5 Artists Under 5K and 9 Bills’ 9 Artists Due to Blow in 2021 list.

Still in the early stages of her music career, R&B and Dancehall singer Ni’Sha has been recording and working hard over the last two years in preparation for the release of her debut single in 2021. Proving to be a promising talent, Ni’Sha as already graced ShyFX’s stage at Notting Hill Carnival and Tenwest’s Camden Assembly showcase, alongside featuring on tracks with reggae legends such as Mr. Williamz, Big Zeeks and Gappy Ranks.

Ariez Baby aims to bring a new sound to the UK and has worked alongside high-class producers such as Rymez, Hargo and SVOnTheBeat; as well as artists such as PA Salieu, BackRoadGee and Jords. While working with 23 Formation, Ariez released L.I.T and most recently released Come Round Ere with 1010 LDN.

The prize also includes a six-week introductory course on Music Production and Sound Engineering at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) worth £199, a one-month membership to The Qube, and audio equipment from Girls I Rate radio show sponsor, Audio-Technica, to arm the winners with the tools to take their songwriting and performing careers to the next level.

Girls I Rate was founded by Carla Marie Williams to create a platform and voice for women to collaborate, celebrate and empower each other. The organisation recently launched its GIR’s 50:50 Pledge for gender equality and diversity, which went viral when it announced a partnership with Cambridge-based festival, Strawberries & Creem. GIR Ambassador, Nadia Rose, is a signatory of the pledge.

PRS for Music and PRS Foundation have partnered with Girls I Rate on #GETHEARD since 2016 to address gender imbalance within the songwriting profession. A reflection of the industry at large, PRS for Music’s membership is currently skewed 81.7% towards male music creators. #GETHEARD gives undiscovered women songwriters a gateway into the music business with help towards career development.

Nadia Rose, MOBO Award-winning British rapper, said: “I loved hosting #GETHEARD and listening to all the submissions, the level of talent Girls I Rate found was exceptional and I’m glad to be supporting the movement and female Future HITMAKERS!”

Carla-Marie Williams, Founder, Girls I Rate and GRAMMY-nominated songwriter, said: “I had such a hard time selecting my top 10 the level of talent was through the roof my team went through over 1000 demos. We’re just happy at Girls I Rate we can give provide the #GETHEARD future hit maker platform.”

Michelle Escoffery, President of the PRS Members’ Council, said: “I am honoured to have been part of the A&R panel that handpicked three talented music creators to receive crucial support towards further developing their songwriting and producing careers. The high standard of everyone involved in #GETHEARD is truly inspiring and I am excited to see and hear what comes next. Congratulations from all of us at PRS for Music.”

Joe Frankland, CEO of PRS Foundation, said: “Huge congratulations to Shasimone, Ni’Sha and Ariez Baby, for being selected to receive the #GETHEARD Future Hitmaker Awards, we look forward to seeing the impact of this targeted grant support in boosting their careers and music creation in tandem with the other excellent prizes. It has been fantastic working with Carla and the GIRLS I RATE team as well as our friends and partners PRS for Music and Spotify to create this unique opportunity to support and champion talented women music creators who will be the hitmakers of the future.”

 Sheniece Charway, Artist Relations Manager, YouTube, said: “I’m honoured to support Girls I Rate (GIR) #GETHEARD initiative. The level of talent was amazing and the A&R level was also amazing, I’m looking forward to future collaboration with Youtube supporting GIR & female future HITMAKERS.”

Please find below the three #GETHEARD Future Hitmakers written entry submissions that accompanied their audio.

ShaSimone written entry submission

Instagram/Twitter: shasimone

My name’s ShaSimone, a Rapper/ songwriter from East London. I’ve always been a writer, I started writing poetry at the age of 16. Over the years the poems progressed to raps. I’ve always loved the 90s music era and feel very inspired by that time. So far, I’ve enjoyed my experience, there have been a lot of ups and downs but the passion for music keeps me going. Hearing my music on some of the UKs popular radio stations and the hosts saying my name really brings a sense of accomplishment to my craft. I was picked for Rob Bruce 5. To watch and Played By Kenny Allstar/ snoochiesh. I know this is just the start of my journey and I hope to reach greater heights and achievements.

“I want people to take substance and meaning from my music. I want people to feel good when they hear my songs, I know that what I’m doing is bigger than just me and my destiny is also attached to so many other people. I hope to inspire and change at least one person’s life with the journey I’m about to embark on.”

Ni’Sha written entry submission

Instagram: officialnishaaa

I have been recording and preparing for the last 2 years to make sure that I am ready for my music career, prior to releasing my debut single which will be this year. So far, I have performed on ShyFX’s stage at Notting Hill Carnival & Tenwest’s Camden Assembly showcase, and featured on tracks with reggae legends such as Mr. Williamz, Big Zeeks and Gappy Ranks. I want to #GEATHEARD as I believe the support and funding would be crucial in taking my career to the next level and allow me to develop my songwriting even further.

Ariez Baby written entry submission

Instagram: ariezbabyofficial

24-year-old female artist from South West London aims to bring a new sound to the UK. After graduating university in 2019 she focused entirely on writing and building her sound – with live performances at The Ritzy (MOE presents), Girls Of Grime and getting played on Represent radio, pulse 88 radio and Ellie Prohans First Play on KISS 100 radio. While working with 23 formations, Ariez released ‘L.I.T’ and most recently released ‘Come Round Ere’ with 1010Ldn. Ariez has worked alongside high-class producers such as Rymez, Hargo and SVOnTheBeat; as well as artist such as PA Salieu, BackRoadGee and Jords. Ariez next single ‘Call Up’ is out 10.06.21 and the EP ‘97’ is out 08.07.21. Ariez and the 1010 team are excited for the year ahead.

I hope to bring a new vibrant sound to the UK, with the end goal to take it worldwide. Growing up I’d listen to many artists such as Lauren Hill and Lil Wayne, so it’s fair to say these artists have definitely influenced how I listen and write to music and I can’t wait for the journey ahead.

Official Partners: PRS for Music and PRS Foundation

Supporting Partnership: Spotify, Metroland Cultures, Youth Music, The Beat London, Mixcloud, Royal Oak

Gifting: ICMP, Audio-Technica, The Qube

About Girls I Rate

Girls I Rate (GIR) is a non-profit organisation that launched in 2016, pushing for gender equality, female representation and recognition, educational workshops, creating internships, jobs and work experience opportunities, while celebrating and honouring girls and women aged 16-30 in the music and creative industries. Founded by GRAMMY award-winning songwriter, Carla-Marie Williams (Credits: Beyonce, Sean Paul, Britney), GIR was created to provide a platform to inspire and support the next generation of women creatives.

Between 2016 – 2020 Girls I Rate have worked alongside companies and organisations to fast become a recognised talent development partner. Hosting A&R masterclasses, Arts Academy weekenders, social events, bursary funds and most recently mentor sessions, as well as a force addressing the systemic inequality for women in music.

** GIRLS I RATE ON THE BEAT LONDON 103.6FM MONDAYS FROM 7PM – 9PM!!**

Girls I Rate has partnered with The Beat London 103.6FM to host its own show Mondays 7pm – 9pm and will showcase some of the freshest female talent from the UK and across the world. Featuring an all-female line-up of DJs including @carmen_londondj, @jasmine.deallie, @joyytotheworld_and @s.chinx, it will provide a platform on the radio for women and their music, in particular women of Black origin. It is also available to listen back on Mixcloud: https://www.mixcloud.com/girlsIrate/