TikTok Launches Songwriting Academy to Empower Students and Support Communities

Musicians on TikTok create songs every day that have a positive impact on their community, allowing them to emotionally and creatively connect with their audience. TikTok has partnered with After-School All-Stars, Sony/ATV, and the Bandier Program to launch the inaugural Songwriting Academy. The Songwriting Academy provides All-Stars students with the opportunity to showcase their unique voice and perspective through the creation of original lyrics, guided by industry experts. Students will follow a curriculum designed by The Bandier Program, covering music theory, technology usage, and the business aspects of the music industry. The program aims to support communities affected by the inequities brought by COVID-19 and the ongoing racism exposed through police brutality, the death of George Floyd, and others in the Black community.

To celebrate the Songwriting Academy, notable musicians such as Timbaland, Jozzy, Tiagz, Jack Harlow, JetsonMade, DJ Dahi, Ilsey Juber, Tainy, Anitta, Melanie Martinez, and Mikey Keenan have been invited to share their personal success stories. Starting on June 24th at 3pm PST, artists will go live each week for the next four weeks to share their stories and creative processes behind some of their biggest songs. The TikTok app will feature the hashtag #BehindTheSong on the Discover page, allowing the music community to share their creativity. To join the livestreams, simply tap the TikTok Summer Songwriting Academy banner on TikTok's Discover page or visit @afterschoolallstars on TikTok. During these unprecedented times, the program aims to provide a creative platform for a new generation of songwriters who may not have had access to such opportunities to express themselves through music.