GIRLSofGRIME supports IWD via a fabulous #GiveToGain Freestyle Challenge
To mark International Women's Day (IWD), UK-based grassroots collective Girls of Grime teamed up with female-led freestyle platform Talkin Da Hardest to launch a Give to Gain Freestyle Challenge. The opportunity saw the group offer a chance to win a £500 cash prize and a spot in Girls of Grime live finals.
"We’re calling on the girlies to step forward, spit your truth, and share your stories through rap using IWD 2026's Give to Gain theme. Ladies, we give so much - energy, love, time and heart. And whether it becomes the biggest W or the hardest L, we gain real-life lessons every time. We want your story in a freestyle," said Girls of Grime.
Talkin Da Hardest TV is an impactful platform that provides a stage for emerging female talent and works closely with Girls of Grime to build talent development.
This fabulous competition was open to women participants, recording their freestyle on any music genre they liked.
The opportunity provided a means to further elevate and celebrate the musical talent of women creatives, and to share their voice and life experience.
Check out some of the many entries.
This one is from Boudicca @boudiccapepper, catch it here.
Another brilliant piece is from Dalia @dahliaaraee, listen to Dalia here.
And wait till Angelina kicks on in the lift with her fabulous Give To Gain rap.
Plus, catch Mereme with her awesome contribution.
And so many more women entered their great talent for this exciting opportunity with Girls of Grime and Talkin Da Hardest to support International Women’s Day and it's Give To Gain call to action.
Steering change towards gender balance in the music industry
Girls of Grime is an independent female-led grassroots organisation based in the UK. The group aims to steer change towards gender balance across the music industry.
As a Talent Development organisation, Girls of Grime is on a mission to level the playing field and bring more diversity to the industry by giving women in music the support they need to take their careers to the next level. The group offers programmes for artists, DJs, and producers to improve their skills; create opportunities for live performances both nationally and internationally and provide career progression pathways for the next generation of women in music, across all roles. The ultimate goal of the group is to create safe spaces for its future females to be able to fulfil their maximum potential.
"In 2017, as a passionate music enthusiast, I couldn't help but feel disappointed when I looked around the thriving UK music scene and noticed a significant lack of female representation across the industry, from artists to platforms. Determined to make a change and support as many women as possible on my journey, I founded Girls of Grime with a clear focus on female leadership and empowerment," says Girls of Grime founder Shakira Walters.
"Our Girls of Grime strap line reads ‘It’s not Just Music, It’s Our Culture’ as it's always been bigger than just the music. Girls of Grime represents the unheard voices of the next generation of young women, who like myself, may have not necessarily had the most privileged upbringing or any idea about how to get into the music industry. Our goal is to empower our future females and encourage them to take the lead in shaping the society they envision. Therefore, we infuse all our projects with the spirit of Grime’s philosophy while encouraging the young people we work with to guide initiatives so that they align with their contemporary culture," says Shakira. "Through Girls of Grime and my other projects, I will continue to advocate for more equitable action in support of women in music, and continue to strive for a better gender balance across the industry."
Supporting pathways to success in music
The fabulous Shakira Walters is the founding director of Girls of Grime.
Shaikira's mission is to raise the profiles of women in music, across various Black music genres and build a diverse and inclusive music industry.
Inspired by the emergence of UK Grime’s do-it-yourself culture, its disruptive nature of demanding real stories be heard, and resilience to the mainstream music industry and live space, Shakira launched Girls of Grime community in 2017 aiming to empower the next generation of female artists and professionals by offering support to facilitate their pathways to success in music.
Shakira's commitment and accomplishments are truly outstanding.
Compose and share your own IWD creation
Use your own creative talent to compose an exciting message to support IWD, and share it with the world using hashtags: #IWD2026 #GiveToGain #GirlsOfGrime