Femme It Forward (FIF) is expanding its mentorship services with the launch of MUSE: Musicians Uplifting Stars Everyday. Created by FIF founder/president and Live Nation partner Heather Lowery, the new initiative has enlisted Alicia Keys, Teyana Taylor and Erykah Badu as advisors to help guide emerging female artists and creatives in the music industry. MUSE complements FIF’s existing Next Gem Femme mentorship program, which focuses on rising women of color executives and entrepreneurs in the entertainment industry.
“I have made it my mission to pave the way for future generations of women to be equipped with the tools they need to sit at any table,” said Lowery in a statement. “MUSE has lived in my heart for the last three years, and I am honored to release it into reality as a high-powered program to combat the inequities, disparities and disturbing statistics around the historic underrepresentation of women in the music industry, especially women of color.”
Keys added in comments provided to Billboard: “Finding ways to bring women in this business together to hold each other up and let each other shine is one of my most important missions! I am joining the MUSE program as an advisor because there is never enough we can do to encourage women to feel as comfortable and connected as possible to share their ideas and get their credit. We want to know each other, find each other and hire each other. I am honored to continue to give access and opportunities that will turn into careers because She Is the Music.”
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“It is a blessing to join Heather’s MUSE program as an advisor and share the truths about my climb and struggles,” added Taylor. “It looked like I was an overnight success, but that is not the case. God is allowing me to share the lessons I have learned about being a hustler, staying hungry and keeping myself humble. Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, and I am looking forward to real conversations with my peers and the next generation of female artists so that we can all find success together.”
In their roles as MUSE advisors, the three stars will participate in a moderated conversation and unique Q&A programming, led by Lowery. MUSE has also selected a team of award-winning artists and creatives as hands-on mentors. Those include songwriter/production duo Nova Wav, artists Nija, Jozzy, Rapsody, Trina and Amber Riley plus four-time Grammy-winning engineer Ann Mincieli. Music from FIF’s MUSE Labs will be featured as well in FIF’s second Big Femme Energy music compilation album, slated for late 2024.