Sofia Ilyas — fostering a more inclusive environment in music

Howell’s School, Llandaff alumna, Sofia Ilyas, has an extraordinary story to tell – one of defiance, resilience and a connection to music that has guided her through some of the most challenging moments of her life.

Sofia Ilyas never imagined she would carve out a space for herself at the forefront of the global electronic music industry. As the Chief Community Officer of The Beatport Group, she is not only a leader in the field but also a determined advocate for diversity and inclusion. But before she found herself in Berlin’s thriving electronic music scene or leading diversity initiatives at Beatport, Sofia was a young girl in Cardiff, navigating a world that had set strict expectations for her future.

A childhood defined by expectations

Born into a British Pakistani family in Cardiff, Sofia was raised in an environment where education was not prioritised, particularly for women. “None of my sisters had finished their GCSEs,” she recalls. “The sort of environment I grew up in was very much, you will get married very soon, and that’s going to be your freedom, and that’s your path in life.” As she approached the end of her compulsory education, she felt a deep sense of despair. “When I was finishing my GCSEs, I was just incredibly down.” 

But a chance discovery altered her trajectory. Leafing through the Yellow Pages, she stumbled upon an advertisement for Howell’s School, in Cardiff. “I just noticed right away, ‘all-girls school,’ and then in my mind, I was like, ‘What if I got into this school and maybe I can convince my parents?’” With the help of a teacher, she completed an application in secret, forging her parents’ signatures. When she received her acceptance letter – along with a full bursary – she was ecstatic, but her mother was unmoved. “She turned around and said, ‘As if that makes any difference. You are not going.’”

Finding solace and strength at Howell’s

Despite initial resistance, the prestige of Howell’s School won over her community, and her parents reluctantly allowed her to attend under strict conditions. Her experience at Howell’s was transformative. “I remember the first year being so nervous that people would figure out I was poor, but as I met different girls, I realised a lot of them came from different backgrounds. I started observing the girls and really recognising confidence, articulation, just a completely different breed of women than I’d ever experienced.” 

For the first time, she saw young women confidently articulating themselves, debating ideas, and discussing music with passion. “I was so inspired. Seeing so many high-achieving women around me, I was like, ‘Maybe I can be something.’” But her future was still precarious. As she neared the end of her A-levels, the school called in her father to discuss university. His response was unequivocal: “She is 100% getting married.” This moment was pivotal, as Howell’s staff  posed a question she had never been asked before: “What do you want?” Without hesitation, she answered, “I want to go to London.” What followed was six months of secret planning. Straight after her final exam Sofia headed to the train station and made her way to  women’s refuge in London. The police were informed that she was safe, and in turn notified her parents. “With this, Howell’s changed my life. They gave me freedom. I literally owe my life to Howell’s.”

The search for identity in a new world

The transition to London was anything but easy. She lived in a temple for three years, grappling with the cultural shock of her new environment. “Growing up, not drinking, showing my hair in public, wearing makeup – it was all new to me.” Music became her anchor. “It was the first time in my life I had my own choices, and music was always a way to deal with my surroundings.” At the age of 28, she attended her first club night at Fabric in London. “It was a sensory overload—the smoke, lighting, sound, and music. But it changed me. I started going to live shows every week and talking to anyone behind the scenes to get closer to the industry.”

Breaking into the music industry

She found her way to Berlin, where she connected with composer Nils Frahm. “I spent hours with him, hearing his vision for himself and his career. I decided to go all in and relocated to Berlin to dedicate myself to the label Erased Tapes Records.

Despite having no formal background in music, she learned quickly. “I started expressing my opinions to artists on their careers and PR campaigns. I had no prior experience, but I had strong gut instincts.” Her bold, innovative thinking led her to sign and promote now-acclaimed artists. “It was like I was in a candy store – I was seeing opportunities everywhere.”

Her experiences in the industry also highlighted the lack of diversity. “I was always the odd one out. There aren’t many South Asian women in music or technology, and I’ve come to terms with that.” One of her most profound observations was how few artists of colour she saw in the industry. “I remember discovering Four Tet and realising he was the first artist of colour I had seen live.” This realisation ignited her passion for creating a more inclusive music industry.

Championing diversity at Beatport

Now, as Chief Community Officer at The Beatport Group, Sofia is committed to making lasting change. Her role involves analysing music sales data to track progress in diversity and pushing for greater representation of women and non-binary artists. “Very few women and non-binary artists are featured in top sales charts for electronic music. My job is to review what’s been done, what more needs to be done, and collaborate with artists, labels, and organisations to drive real change.” Under her leadership, Beatport’s Diversity + Parity Fund increased its support from $100,000 to $150,000, helping organisations focused on underrepresented groups. “Real change comes from community— everyone coming together around a table, being open about challenges.” She looks to women’s football as a model for progress: “A few years ago, no one would have imagined 32,000 people showing up to a omen’s football game, but it  happened. That didn’t just happen overnight. It took years of effort behind the scenes, and we need that level of commitment in music.”

Looking back and moving forward

Today, Sofia continues to push boundaries while reconciling with the past. Though her parents remain estranged, her sisters have reentered her life. “They now say they understand why. I think a lot of that is from having their own children, and realising that they don’t want the life we had as kids for their kids.” 

When asked what she would tell her 19-year-old self, standing on the platform at Paddington Station, she says, “You made the right decision. Don’t carry the guilt. You left a prison – don’t build another one in your mind. Life will figure itself out.”

Sofia Ilyas’ journey is not just a story of personal triumph; it is a testament to the  transformative power of education, music, and unwavering self-belief. Through her work at Beatport and beyond, she is paving the way for a more inclusive future in music – one where the odd ones out can finally belong.

GDST Life Alumnae Magazine