The annual ASCAP “I Create Music” Expo will descend upon the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles May 7-9 for three days of panels, workshops, master classes, keynote speeches, one-on-one sessions and live performances. This year, the presentations once again cover a wide variety of concerns for songwriters and producers, including sessions on writing across genres, sorting out royalty and revenue streams, and navigating relationships with publishers, brands and other writers.
The event will also bring together plenty of big names, including headliner Meghan Trainor. The pop star will deliver a keynote at the Expo in conversation with Grammy Award-nominated producer JKash, who along with producing Trainor hits such as “No” and “Me Too” has worked with artists including Selena Gomez (“Sober”) and Charlie Puth (“Attention”). The Expo will also play host to master sessions with Jermaine Dupri and Ne-Yo, and talks between St. Vincent and rising artist King Princess and between Billie Eilish and songwriter-producer (and older brother) Finneas O’Connell, among others.
Also joining the EXPO this year are Akon, who will be a panelist at next week’s convention, as well as JoJo, who has joined the Renaissance Women In Music discussion that will also feature Lindsey Stirling, Betty Who, Gizzle and Priscilla Renae. Additional performers include Cassadee Pope, who was just added to the Writer’s Jam, and Dave Bassett, who will perform at the annual membership meeting.
With the Expo around the corner, here are three panels to watch.
”We Create Music Presented by Billboard”
Panelists such as Jason Mraz, ASCAP Latin songwriter of the year Claudia Bryant and celebrated film composer Junkie XL will discuss the triumphs and challenges that come with being a career songwriter.
“How to Make It in the NEW Music Business”
The switch to streaming has led to a paradigm shift in how the music industry operates, with new rules seemingly being invented overnight. This panel will discuss ways to navigate the changing landscape.
“Breaking Through On Social Media”
Artists just want to get heard, and in a social media era, experts from the worlds of streaming, labels and management will discuss the best ways to leverage such platforms to help build a music career.