Tempo & Flow Music Industry Talks

Kwame Kwaten is a music industry ledgend and hero to so many people. He has done so much in the music industry it was hard to pick out any one role, so we spoke about how he got into music, his first few clients, and how that lead to other roles. We speak about ultimate seminar and how that started, him joining the MMF, and also what he thought about the current change happening in the industry in terms of Black music, black executives and black people.

Kwame Kwaten is a music industry ledgend and hero to so many people. He has done so much in the music industry it was hard to pick out any one role, so we spoke about how he got into music, his first few clients, and how that lead to other roles. We speak about ultimate seminar and how that started, him joining the MMF, and also what he thought about the current change happening in the industry in terms of Black music, black executives and black people.

In this episode we speak to Kevin Christian-Blair who is Senior A&R Manager at Atlantic Records. In this episode we talk about how he got into music whilst working as a bar tender, then moving on to working at a small jazz label, to then eventually taking a PA role in Atlantic Records so he could get his foot in the door. We also speak on him becoming Rudimental's A&R, then signing Ella Henderson who had been on X Factor, to then signing Joel Corry and having 3 platinum hits in a row.

In this episode we speak to Nemat Abdela who is a Senior Marketing Manager at Columbia Records. We speak about her time working in the TV industry, then moving to a mobile song company, selling songs for mobile phones, to then finding her way to record label Pitched Up. She also talks about transitioning from Pitched Up to Columbia Records, and working on campaigns for artist Childish Gambino and Digdat.

In this episode we speak to Nemat Abdela who is a Senior Marketing Manager at Columbia Records. We speak about her time working in the TV industry, then moving to a mobile song company, selling songs for mobile phones, to then finding her way to record label Pitched Up. She also talks about transitioning from Pitched Up to Columbia Records, and working on campaigns for artist Childish Gambino and Digdat. 

In this episode we speak to Dellessa James who is a Music & Media Executive/Executive Producer and will be joining Amazon Music as their Senior Artists Relations Manager, leading their Black Music Strategy. We speak about how Dellessa got started in music, her journey through various BBC Radio roles, whilst working part time. We then touch on when she started producing Charlie Sloth's show, how they got Fire In The Booth to be as big as it is, then leaving BBC for Apple, and she also touches on what's next. 

In this episode we speak to Nathan Tettey who is a Music Video Creative. We speak about how Nathan got started in his career, being an intern on sets to being a runner, to eventually landing a job at Warner Records. We also speak about his own directing of videos for Drake, Dave and Headie One.

In this episode we speak to Despa Robinson who is manager of Jaykae and CEO of BE83 Music Group. We speak about how he got into music, his early days as a producer, being apart of the grime collective Stay Fresh, and also meeting Jaykae. We also touch on Jaykae's success, other artist he manages like Dapz & Tana, and the current scene in Birmingham.

In this episode we speak to Joe Kentish who is the Head of A&R at Warner Records, we speak on how he got into music, his first A&R job, having success with Pixie Lott and the Vamps, then moving to Warner Records where he signed Dua Lipa and had a lot of success. We also touch on what it is like running a team of A&R, and what advice he would give to people who want to be A&Rs and have a career in music.

In this episode we talk to A&R manager Sam Adebayo about how he got his start in music, what his early jobs were, and how he found his way into management. He touches on meeting and managing RnB artist Angel, doing a record deal in america, and signing Geko to 3beat and having silver/Gold selling songs.

In this episode we talk to A&R manager Sam Adebayo about how he got his start in music, what his early jobs were, and how he found his way into management. He touches on meeting and managing RnB artist Angel, doing a record deal in america, and signing Geko to 3beat and having silver/Gold selling songs.

Keith Harris is now a music industry consultant but is a music business ledgend. In our conversation he talks about the early days managing Stevie Wonder, how he found it working in LA, and why he moved back to London. We also talked about the recent blackout tuesday that took place in the industry, his open letter he wrote to Music Week, and why he wants to see a change, with more black people in senior positions.

Keith Harris is now a music industry consultant but is a music business ledgend. In our conversation he talks about the early days managing Stevie Wonder, how he found it working in LA, and why he moved back to London. We also talked about the recent blackout tuesday that took place in the industry, his open letter he wrote to Music Week, and why he wants to see a change, with more black people in senior positions.

Mistajam who is a Broadcaster, DJ, Label Creative Director, Producer and Artist, talks us through how he got started in Radio, how he got his first show on BBC 1xtra, the many different shows he had, and how that evolved to currently having a show on BBC 1xtra and a show on Radio 1. He also talks us through how he became a creative director at a label which saw him have a number 1 single, have stages at many festivals, and how he met Craig David. We also discuss his artist career and how that came about and also what the future holds.

Oksi who is Senior Marketing Manager at Warner Records, talks to us about how she got started, her first job at Warner Music Group and how she transitioned into a marketing role at Warner Records. She also speaks about Steel Banglez marketing campaign and Mist's marketing campaign. She speaks about what her next moves are and what the future also holds for her.

Mel is a freelance radio plugger and CEO of Three Thirty Music and Co Director of Salute The Sun Management. She talks about how she started out in the promotions team then gradually became a radio plugger, spending 16 years at Atlantic Records working with international acts like Missy Elliot but local acts like Ed Sheeran and others. She also talks about why she left Atlantic records to set up her own company and she tells of some of the acts she is currently working with. We also discuss working on the Wiley singles and what the future holds.

Shane is manager to the talented Mostack, and also CEO of Mizermillion Entertainment, and Co-MD of Dreamlife Records which is a label under Sony Records. He talks about how he got into music, how he met Mostack, doing Mostacks record and publishing deals and adjusting to life as a manager. He then expands and talks about how Dreamlife Records happened, his relationship with his fellow business partners and whats next in line. He also spends time answering questions and giving advice.

Shane is manager to the talented Mostack, and also CEO of Mizermillion Entertainment, and Co-MD of Dreamlife Records which is a label under Sony Records. He talks about how he got into music, how he met Mostack, doing Mostacks record and publishing deals and adjusting to life as a manager. He then expands and talks about how Dreamlife Records happened, his relationship with his fellow business partners and whats next in line. He also spends time answering questions and giving advice.

In this episode we are joined by Whitney Asomani who is a Marketing Executive and Manager to Sugababes. She talks about her journey from attending the Brits school, to workin at ITV in the music department, then onto BT Sport, then to Since 93/RCA records. We also talk about working with NSG and the campaign she delivered which saw them achieve a top ten single. She also answers questions we had coming in via our Insta Live  about Sugababes and marketing music artist in todays world. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.

Adex is manager of the talented Aitch, and also CEO of NQ which is a talent & entertainment company. He talks about his upbrining living in Germany, then moving to England, his time as a promising footballer, and then how he fell in love with music. He goes into detail about meeting Aitch, there first record deal, and what the future holds. He also answers questions that come in and drops some great gems for those seeking advice.

Adex is manager of the talented Aitch, and also CEO of NQ which is a talent & entertainment company. He talks about his upbrining living in Germany, then moving to England, his time as a promising footballer, and then how he fell in love with music. He goes into detail about meeting Aitch, there first record deal, and what the future holds. He also answers questions that come in and drops some great gems for those seeking advice.

Tasha Demi is a Marketing & Creative consultant working on different artist projects who are signed and unsigned, whilst also being co-manager to british rapper K-Trap. During the conversation with Big Lloyd, she talks about her journey, how she done multiple internships for free to get her foot in the door, then how she worked at Polydor working on campaigns for American artist plus Ramz & Stefflon Don, to working at Sony with Aitch, to leaving and setting up her own companyy. She also answers questions we had coming in via our Insta Live and also gives her top tips for having a successful marketing campaign. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.

Rich Castillo is A&R Director at Atantic Records in the UK and one of the top black A&R's in the country. He is known for signing N-Dubz, Young Adz, and Stefflon Don. During the conversation with Big Lloyd, he talks about how he got started and transitioned from being in a boyband to working for influential manager Jonathan Shallit, to then going on to A&R for various companies. Rich touches on important things that happened at each stage of his career and how it helped him progress. He also answers questions we had coming in via our Insta Live and also gives his top three tips for making it as an executive in the business. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.

Rich Castillo is A&R Director at Atantic Records in the UK and one of the top black A&R's in the country. He is known for signing N-Dubz, Young Adz, and Stefflon Don. During the conversation with Big Lloyd, he talks about how he got started and transitioned from being in a boyband to working for influential manager Jonathan Shallit, to then going on to A&R for various companies. Rich touches on important things that happened at each stage of his career and how it helped him progress. He also answers questions we had coming in via our Insta Live and also gives his top three tips for making it as an executive in the business. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did.