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4th annual international Song Competition
About The Competition
Music for Water represents a campaign that streams water and music together with the intent to align the mission of JB Dondolo to remove barriers of access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for underserved communities.
This campaign is a fundraiser designed as an annual song competition that is open to anyone (see requirements to qualify and submit your water song). Through the competition, participants’ songs gain visibility and promotion which may be broadcast to tens of thousands of new listeners across the United States and internationally. Five (5) expert judges either in the music industry or closely affiliated with the industry will decide which top three (3) songs will be chosen and one of the chosen three (by the JB Dondolo, Inc. Board & Peggy Beatrice Foundation) will be awarded as the JB Dondolo “Song of the Year.”
Music for Water sets itself apart from other song competitions as a charitable campaign that serves to leverage the “universal medium and ambassador” of music to ignite a greater awareness of the importance of potable water around the globe. The participation of each artist will be instrumental in serving as a voice for those who often go unheard. Women and girls will also greatly benefit from this musical competition as the campaign will serve as a protagonist to improving gender equity through the connection to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene.
JB Dondolo recognizes the immediate need to raise funds to help those in dire need. Therefore, the recipient of the funds raised with this campaign is the homeless population on Skid Row in Los Angeles, CA, USA. During the campaign, we will seek a water song for charity and further shine a spotlight on the charitable work being done around the globe.
JB Dondolo has partnered with The Peggy Beatrice Foundation to raise awareness in a positive and respectful way and provide hygiene products to the Skid Row community. Through the provision of support and tools necessary to promote a healthy family structure, The Peggy Beatrice Foundation brings hope and restoration to communities in need, one family at a time. JB Dondolo has also partnered with I Support the Girls, an organization that collects and distributes essential items such as menstrual hygiene products, to help us reach more people experiencing homelessness, impoverishment, or distress to stand tall with dignity.
This year, the top three (3) winners will each receive a Cash Prize for their efforts. These prizes are thanks to THE COMPANY who has become a major supporter of both JB Dondolo and the Music for Water Competition.
Additionally, the top three (3) winners will be honored and recognized at the annual Voices for Water Gala where they will have their songs featured throughout the evening.
Let the music move you!
Why You Should Participate
A message from Christy Littrell, I Support The Girls (ISTG)
We are so excited to be partnering with JB Dondolo for their Music for Water campaign which this year will be benefiting the homeless population living on Skid Row in Los Angeles. Last February, we partnered with JB Dondolo to provide much needed items for the people impacted by the devastating ice winter storms in Texas. This year we will be providing menstrual hygiene products for the homeless population living on Skid Row.
We encourage all artists and musicians to submit songs for this competition which will be directly impacting the homeless population living on Skid Row. If you are interested in participating, visit: https://jbdondolo.org/musicforwater/
We are so excited to hear your submissions and we can’t wait to benefit this population living in Los Angeles. Thank you so much!
A Message from 2020 Music for Water Top Winner Shawna Linzy
Why? It’s an incredible honor in giving back and using your voice to help amplify the voice of JB Dondolo and their mission in helping to supply clean water and other necessities to those in need and this year they’re helping Skid Row. Is the next Music for Water song in you? It just may be and JB Dondolo wants to hear it!
To learn all about what’s in store with the music competition visit: JBDondolo.org/musicforwater. Good Luck!
This contest has opened my eyes to really see how scarce water is for people around the world; something that we as humans have a need for. As excited as I was for this opportunity, that was something I definitely took into account in creating my song. And in our second year, I encourage all artists and talent to submit their songs for a chance to win a distribution deal with G.M.I.R. in Germany.
This year’s fundraiser is dedicated to the homeless population in Skid Row. For more Information and guidelines on how you can participate, you can visit: JBDondolo.org/musicforwater. You can also follow me on Instagram @i.shot.omar to follow up on my music as well. I wish you good luck!
How To Submit
Submit your Music for Water song starting June 1 (9:00:00 AM EST) through August 1 (11:59:59 PM EST).
Step 1: Register and create your account here.
Step 2: Upload your song and complete the submission form
Step 3: During the voting period of September 1, 2023 to September 14, 2023, share on your networks (remember, every person can vote once per day).
Step 4: Top 3 will be announced on October 1, 2023
Timeline
⦁ June 1 – Submissions open (9 AM ET)
⦁ August 31 – Submissions close (Midnight ET)
⦁ September 1 – September 14 – Public Voting
⦁ September 15 – September 30 – Judging
⦁ October 1 – Announce Top 5
⦁ December 2 – Announce Top 3, cash prize awards, song of the year
About Our Partners
-envisions a world where the underserved are embraced and restored through resources and outreach, starting at the family level and working its way to entire communities.
Through the provision of support and tools necessary to promote a healthy family structure, the Peggy Beatrice Foundation brings hope and restoration to communities in need, one family at a time.
is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that collects and distributes donations of new and gently used bras, and individually sealed tampons and maxi pads to women and girls nationally and internationally. Whether they be homeless, refugees, in transitional housing, or fleeing domestic violence, I Support the Girls works to ensure women and girls should never have to compromise on dignity. Since its founding, ISTG has collected and distributed over 2,000,000 products to 180,000 women through 400 vetted partners. ISTG has 45 affiliates across the United States and international affiliates in Canada, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, Mexico and Pakistan.
We encourage all artists and musicians to submit songs for this competition which will be directly impacting the homeless population living on Skid Row. If you are interested in participating, visit: https://jbdondolo.org/musicforwater/
We are so excited to hear your submissions and we can’t wait to benefit this population living in Los Angeles. Thank you so much!
To learn all about what’s in store with the music competition visit: JBDondolo.org/musicforwater. Good Luck!
So, if you are an artist, songwriter or musician and you are looking for a way to expand your audience but also giving back here is a perfect opportunity for you to do though. Starting June 1st through August 31st you will be able to submit one original song to show your support in this project but also advancing in your music career. So, if you are interested you can check out more information at JBDondolo.org and I am so looking forward to hearing your song.
Connect With The Community
Fundraising Goal: $15,000
Donation Recipient: Skid Row
Of the estimated 550,000+ unhoused people in America, more than 10% of them live in Los Angeles. Of the estimated, but underreported, homeless population, up to 10,000 people live on Skid Row.
Also known as Central City East, Skid Row is a neighborhood in Los Angeles covering 50 blocks that is known for its condensed homeless population for nearly a century.
Current hygiene services make it possible to give everyone living on Skid Row a chance to shower once every 3-5 days, yet access to hygiene remains one of the most critical barriers to restoring people’s dignity, health, and self-worth in this area.
As it relates to COVID-19, Los Angeles County saw an additional 40 to 60 deaths per month beginning in March 2020 for the homeless population. Not all these deaths were officially labeled as attributed to COVID-19, however. Throughout six months of analysis, only 36 deaths were labeled as COVID-19 related. While this suggests an underreporting issue, it also suggests that many of the homeless likely have perished due to the disease. Among the numerous factors, lack of access to sanitation and hygiene is one such probable reason.
Homelessness in Los Angeles County is also expected to increase by 20–40% once the eviction moratorium ends on June 30 indicating that the need to provide potable water, sanitation, and hygiene is more important than ever.
Meet The Judges
Gerard Williams
Gerard “Hip-Hop Gamer” Williams was born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn started playing video games at the age of 4.
His Grandmother, Margaret Williams, was a hardcore gamer and passed along the passion to her grandson.
Shawna Linzy
Shawna Linzy is a gifted and unique singer/songwriter and award-winning actress with Arkansas roots. She has appeared in and her original music has been featured in award-winning films and award-winning podcasts.
Mario Bonds
Mario Bonds is a multitalented singer/songwriter, motivational speaker, fitness model, and journalist best known for appearing on American Idol, The Glee Project, and PBS’ docuseries Blind Love. Determined to show the world that a person with a disability can rise to meet any challenge.
Legal Advisor And Board Member
Many recognize Takura by his trademark bowtie, but his real trademark is the passion and skill that he brings to fight every case for every person he represents.