Music education has always been challenged—from lack of proper funding to inadequate resources and facilities to poor government support. The past two years of the pandemic, however, has made it even more difficult.

With stay-at-home policies, aspiring musicians have lost access to valuable and accessible outlets such as face-to-face interactions with mentors and peers, showcases, and workshops. These interactions serve not just as a form of expression, but a way for them to gain knowledge and inspiration.

Levi’s has always believed in the power of music to inspire, foster creativity, and unite. Since 2015, the brand has partnered with respected artists and local partners around the world to develop the Levi’s Music Project, an initiative that brings music education resources to the next generation of young musicians through community-based programs.

The Kickoff

Responding to the needs of the music community especially at this time of uncertainty, the Levi’s Music Project has gone global and digital to reach more people all over the world. They started in the US with Grammy-nominated singer and songwriter Khalid through his The Great Khalid Foundation. After all, music is all around us, all the time. And what better way to support this by taking the initiative to a global scale.

Kicking off the campaign, they surprised the local Boys & Girls Club (B.G.E.P) with a brand-new music room equipped with art tablets, music software, headphones, instruments and gear. In addition to this, music students in El Paso can embark on a 4-week digital music production course.

Khalid’s time in El Paso, and the opportunity that organizations like the B.G.E.P. provided early on in his career were invaluable. “I created songs here that changed my life” he says, speaking about his Billboard hit, ‘Location’ that he wrote in the studio where his “Behind the Stage” session for the Levi’s® Music Project was filmed.

Lastly, a Remix Challenge was done where musicians are invited to remix Khalid’s hit song “Better” to make it their own via Discord. These participants were treated to live feedback workshops and more. The culminating output is a music video featuring the top musicians from the Remix Challenge to be posted on the Levi’s official YouTube channel.

Taking the Music Project Global

Taking things global means widening its scope through vast accessibility. Levi’s did just that by partnering with Discord. Discord has become one of the top places for people to gather and communicate online.

Khalid together with 15 musicians from different arts of the world launched the Always-Live educational community on Discord. This special artist-led Levi’s® Music Project server will provide full access to 2021’s Levi’s® Music Project programming for people around the globe, featuring inspiring content and exclusive workshop experiences. Created for artists, by artists.

Making it Local

For the first time ever, the Levi’s Music Project is happening in the Philippines. Levi’s Philippines partnered with singer, songwriter, and published author Reese Lansangan to bring the spirit of Music Project to life.

Through the Community Challenge, two aspiring musicians will get a chance to have a collaboration, one-on-one consultation with Reese, and Php 20,000 worth of Levi’s items.

Here’s what any participant needs to do:
1. Join the Levi’s Music Project Discord server — http://discord.gg/levismusicproject
2. Complete Reese’s song “What Is This Feeling” through your own take. You can add your own verse/rap, add new instrumental sounds, and more. Make the song truly your own.
3. Submit your entry by posting it on social media with the hashtag #LevisMusicProjectxReese from January 16-31.
4. Validate your entry through the Discord server and send the link to your post in the “SUBMIT” channel.

In addition to the Community Challenge, users can also participate in a feedback workshop with Reese Lansangan. To know more, visit the official Levi’s Philippines Facebook and Instagram page and join the Levi’s Music Project Discord. You can also read about the Remix Challenge Terms & Conditions through this link.