VOICES OF THE CULTURE: HOW SWIZZ BEATZ, TIMBALAND & D-NICE UNITED THE WORLD THROUGH MUSIC

JUNE 22 @ 12PM ET / 9AM PT 

Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and D-Nice are more than music legends. They are beatmaking humanitarians, dedicated to lifting us up through the power of music. Founded by Swizz and Tim in the early days of the pandemic, the wildly popular Verzuz presented virtual music battles between Gladys Knight & Patti LaBelle, Erykah Badu & Jill Scott, Earth, Wind & Fire & the Isley Brothers, Ne-Yo & Johntá Austin, Snoop Dogg & DMX and more. The series generated joy and excitement when we needed it most, as it celebrated music creators and the enduring power of their legacies. In an equally vital fashion, legendary DJ and artist D-Nice brought the party into our homes with Club Quarantine, his beloved IG Live series of perfectly-curated sets of funk, disco, hip-hop and R&B. The club overflowed with energy and surprises and attracted everyone from Rihanna to President Joe Biden. 

Join us for an in-depth conversation with Swizz Beatz, Timbaland and D-Nice and learn how they developed Verzuz and Club Quarantine as platforms for empowerment, inspiration and expression for the Black music community. They will also reflect on how their work has shaped the sound of hip-hop and R&B today. To kick off the session, ASCAP will present its Voice of the Culture Award to all three champions for their profound impact on music and culture. 

 WRITING PROUD: HOW TO HARNESS THE POWER OF SELF-EXPRESSION

Music is a powerful tool for self-expression. But for music creators in the LGBTQ+ community – especially creators still exploring their own identities – it can be difficult to decide how much of yourself to put into your music. We’ve convened a roundtable with Gizzle, Leland and Darrell Brown - three out and proud music creators who have crafted major songs for pop and hip-hop stars, country greats and drag queens, and themselves. These incredible songwriters will share their lived experiences of being gay within their sectors of the music industry; how it’s impacted the music they write, and how their music has in turn changed how they see themselves. They’ll also offer valuable advice – for creators of all stripes – about how to express and explore your authentic self through your music. Watch on IGTV @ASCAP now.

• Gizzle, rapper/songwriter
• Leland, songwriter/composer/executive producer 
• Darrell Brown, songwriter/producer (moderator)