UNITEDMASTERS AND CASH APP HAVE GIVEN AWAY $100,000 TO ARTISTS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONS AS PART OF “CASH FOR CHANGE” GRANT PROGRAM

“Cash for Change” put the Spotlight on Artists Advocating for Social Justice With Powerful Protest Music 

BROOKLYN, NY - September 3, 2020 – After thousands of submissions, the “Cash for Change” program has come to a close having given away $100,000. UnitedMasters, the leading platform for independent artists partnered with Cash App earlier this summer to launch the “Cash for Change” grant program giving a total of $100,000 to 25 artists over 25 days. These artists received payment directly to their Cash App accounts with half of the winnings being donated on their behalf to a social justice organization of their choice. 

As social unrest and a rallying cry for change continue to envelop our nation, UnitedMasters and Cash App partnered to amplify voices from around the country that might not otherwise be heard. Through this program, any artist could speak up through their music by submitting their songs for consideration.  

The campaign highlighted stories and messages from young artists and gave them the chance to support social justice organizations that mattered most to them. Some of the organizations that received support throughout the campaign were: Black Lives Matter, The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, My Block, My Hood, My City, The Equal Justice Initiative, The Bail Project, Color of Change, Campaign Zero, and Know Your Rights Camp.

The 25 winners saw a significant increase in streaming activity after being selected as a Cash App winner, with streams for some artists increasing from 50 to +1,000%.  Break out artists include Makis Raqeem, who saw a +7,541%, increase and King Fatai who saw a +1,374% increase respectively. Twelve-year-old Atlantan Devon Sangs was handpicked by UnitedMasters's Founder Steve Stoute on the very last day of submissions and saw significant growth with a +1,113% increase on streams following his participation in the campaign.

"We launched this project in partnership with Cash App to make sure that the voices and messages of our young generation of artists could be heard - at a time of great need in this country. Throughout the process we’ve discovered tremendous talent and deeply impactful stories.” said Lauren Wirtzer-Seawood, President of UnitedMasters. "These artists have furthered the dialogue that is so necessary right now and we’re proud to support them and the social justice organizations they've chosen."

Cash App’s Artistic Development Lead, Garrett McManus, added: “Teaming up with UnitedMasters on this impactful program has allowed Cash App to provide more artists with the space and the means to create freely. We’ve always been committed to uplifting artistic expression, and we couldn’t be prouder to lend our support to artists during this important moment in time.”

Artists submitted their song through the UnitedMasters app with winners selected by the UM A&R team. At the end of the contest, a #CashForChange playlist was created and shared via social platforms. 

About UnitedMasters 

Launched in 2017 by Translation founder and music industry veteran Steve Stoute, UnitedMasters provides a new industry alternative for independent artists. UnitedMasters gives artists access to premium music distribution services, a suite of tools to help them directly connect with fans, and opportunities for unique partnerships with some of the world’s biggest brands. The UnitedMasters platform enables artists to operationalize their independence and maximize their creative and economic potential while allowing them to maintain full ownership over their master recording rights. 

About Cash App 

Cash App​ is the money app. It's the easiest way to pay people back, keep track of spending, or invest in stocks. Sending and receiving money is totally free and fast, and most payments can be deposited directly to your bank account in just a few seconds. With Cash App, you can also invest in your favorite companies with as little as $1, buy and sell Bitcoin instantly, get a paycheck deposited right to the app, or create a unique $cashtag that you can share with anyone to get paid fast. You can even use the free Cash Card to spend the money you keep in the app anywhere you like. Customize your card with a laser-etching, and we'll deliver it to you directly. Download Cash App for free at​ ​cash.app/download​.