Building Beats: Empowering NYC youth through DJing, music production and mentorship

Building Beats launched in 2013 in New York City with one goal: to make music education more accessible and relevant for young people. What began as small DJ workshops has grown into a thriving creative tech hub – anchored by two core programs: bbWorkshops and bbLeaders.

bbWorkshops offer hands-on sessions in DJing, music production, podcasting and coding directly into schools and community spaces – giving young people a chance to explore their creativity in a supportive environment. 

For those ready to take things further, bbLeaders offers a deeper dive. Designed for youth ages 16–24, the flagship program provides intensive training for the next generation of producers and DJs – connecting them with mentorship, real-world experience and paid gig opportunities. 

Below you can watch a short documentary highlighting bbLeader Briette's journey as an aspiring singer and DJ. 

Everyone on the Building Beats team is an active DJ, producer or artist. With deep roots in NYC’s music scene, they’re able to open real doors for their students. Through their programs, young creatives have been mentored by artists like Riobambaaa, Krithi, PlayPlay, JWords, and Devoye, and have taken part in special guest sessions with legends including Pete Rock, Just Blaze, Harry Fraud, DJ Reborn, Bearcat, Stonie Blue and Jyoty. Collaborations with local collectives such as A. Sarr’s HeartBeats party have led to student performances at iconic spaces including Bossa Nova Civic Club.

In just a few months, students can go from cueing their first track to performing at venues like Elsewhere, Trans-Pecos, Mood Ring, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Brooklyn Museum, Apple and more. bbLeaders even run their own monthly residency on Newtown Radio, curating and broadcasting live DJ sets that help them build audiences and sharpen their sound.

The organization has also developed meaningful partnerships with companies like Serato, Dolby and others, who have supported students through gear donations, workshops and studio visits – helping to bridge the gap between youth potential and access to the music industry.

Since 2013, Building Beats has supported over 12,000 students and partnered with more than 250 organizations. They’ve created a complete talent pipeline – from early exposure and mentorship to performance opportunities and teaching artist roles – bringing the journey full circle for many of the young people they work with.

NYC’s electronic music scene is massive, diverse and ever-evolving. But for many young artists, breaking in can be tough – especially without access to gear, space or guidance. Building Beats is helping to shift that. Their students are blending genres, representing their communities and carving out their own lanes. Representation matters – and Building Beats proudly supports youth of color, women and queer artists as they make their mark.

At the heart of everything they do is a belief that music is a powerful tool for building confidence, identity and a sense of belonging. Their mission is to equip young people with the skills, networks and opportunities they need to turn their passion into something powerful – and sustainable.

Looking ahead, Building Beats is expanding its youth DJ booking network, mentorship program and creative curriculum. Their vision is to become the go-to hub for youth creative development in NYC and beyond – a place where emerging artists grow their craft, earn from their skills and help shape the future of music. 

If you'd like to support Building Beats' work, you can donate here.