Pharrell Williams to Select New Artists for SoundCloud Charity Compilation

By Jem Aswad

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – Pharrell Williams announced today that he will be hand-picking undiscovered artists for a Soundcloud compilation that will benefit Sweet Relief and Help Musicians charities.

The compilation, called “SoundCloud Presents: i am OTHER, Volume 1,” will feature music genres, styles and sounds from across the global SoundCloud community, according to the announcement.

SoundCloud has seen a 50% increase in in uploads from creators around the world over the past month, as the coronavirus-induced lockdown has set in. “We know the rise of the coronavirus has hit creators hard with a loss of revenue and work,” the company said, “but it has not stopped the proliferation of music and creativity on SoundCloud.”

In a post announcing the compilation, Pharrell said: “For our shared passion and vision for music, @i_am_OTHER and I are teaming up with @SoundCloud to discover the next creators. Starting today you can tag #SCxiamOTHER on your SoundCloud track for a chance to be featured on a compilation we’re working on.”

Here’s how creators can submit music for consideration, according to a SoundCloud blog post. The company will also be taking questions via Instagram today (April 22) in a special edition of its Creator Office Hours today at 2:30 PT / 5:30pm ET:

• Upload your tracks to SoundCloud and include the hashtag #SCxiamOTHER
• Pharrell, i am OTHER and SoundCloud will review submissions and select a minimum of 10 tracks from independent, emerging artists to be featured on “SoundCloud presents: i am OTHER, Volume 1.” There’s no limit on submissions, so  upload often to maximize your chances.
• In addition to a spot on the album, selected artists will be fast-tracked into SoundCloud’s premium marketing services program,  Repost Select , and receive funding for upcoming projects from our recently announced  $10M creator accelerator fund along with additional promotion and marketing support.
• Selected artists will be notified via SoundCloud by May 6, 2020.

Net proceeds we receive will go to  Sweet Relief  and  Help Musicians , two charities on the frontlines of providing direct relief to the artist community.

“SoundCloud Presents: i am OTHER, Volume 1” will be available on SoundCloud and distributed to all streaming services via SoundCloud’s distribution and artist services offering, Repost Select, in early May 2020.