YouTube Music’s Indie Artist Development Initiative, The ‘Foundry’, Unveils Largest Class To Date

YouTube Music has announced the largest global class to date for its Foundry — a five-year-old independent artists development initiative that underwent a revamp in 2019 to furnish marketing and promotional support over a longer period of time.

Artists selected for the YouTube Music Foundry receive dedicated partner support from YouTube and seed funding for content development.

This year’s class, for which YouTube Music says it received the most applications ever, comprises 27 artists representing 14 countries. (The 2020 class, for reference, comprised 12 artists).

The 2021 class includes: R&B singers Sinead Harnett, Raveena, Fana Hues, Ebhoni, Enny, and Chilldspot; hip hop artists SoFaygo

, Reggie, Paris Texas, Paranoid 1966, Rote Mütze Raphi, Meekz Manny, and Seehe Maut; country singer Tenille Arts; alt/indie artists Snail Mail, Ambar Lucid, Sycco, Junior Mesa, Tuyo, and SE SO Neon; Latin Urban artists Tokischa, Blessd, and Bad Milk; Latin pop star Marina Sena; Afrobeats artist Bella Shmurda; electronic star Shygirl; and popstar Doul.

YouTube notes that the Foundry launched as a workshop series, and has seen 150 artists from 15 countries come through its doors to date, including starry alums like Dua Lipa and Rosalía.

You can check out an introduction video to this year’s class right here: