TikTok is starting a summer songwriting academy to help diverse students break into the industry. The Gen Z app, known for organically creating viral music stars, is launching the Summer Songwriting Academy in partnership with After-School All-Stars, Sony/ATV, and Syracuse University. The initiative was started to assist students of color with less access to resources to find a platform to “express the experiences and inequalities of their communities.” Thirteen students have been selected to partake in this year’s remote program. Every week, artists like Timbaland, Jozzy, and Jack Harlow will livestream themselves sharing tips about their creative process and the stories behind some of their biggest hits, using the hashtag #BehindTheSong. (Rolling Stone, Black Enterprise)
