Wise UP: Upcomers x Veterans

The barriers to entry in the music industry remain high, especially for people of colour. This podcast aims to bridge the gap between upcomers and veterans, to share experiences, advice, and wisdom from both sides. Ultimately, an environment is created where upcoming Black and Brown music executives and industry veterans can create mentor-mentee relationships, whilst those who are interested in the industry and all aspects within it can also hear and learn. In 2020, the UK Music survey found only 6.4% of those in top music industry jobs identify as Black or Black British. 4% were Asian or Asian British.

Overall, Black, Asian & other ethnic minorities make up 19.9% – one in five – of top music jobs.

Hosted by AJ, the founder of the music company Stone Dime, we are able to hear first-hand experiences from a huge array of guest speakers to allow those who may not have the representation they seek, a platform. Noticing the rampant systemic racism in the music industry, AJ hopes to utilise this podcast to create conversations between those who have experienced and overcome obstacles such as this, and those who are at the beginning of the journeys.

With confirmed veteran guests of Patrick Ross (Chief Operating Officer at Music Ally), Remi Harris (Author, Easy Money), Kwame Kwatem (Vice-chair, MMF) and many more, we get to hear first-hand what goes on behind the scenes to create, produce, advertise, and sell music. Through bringing in newcomers eager to learn more and veterans keen to share their knowledge, this podcast is for those who want to know more about every aspect of the industry. In an age that is highly digitalised, there are no doubts that upcomers will not have their own wisdom to share – and with this a two-sided relationship where speakers and listeners to continue to learn.

Our aim is to overcome barriers that people of colour may fear in a tough industry. The first step is to have the courage to face them. Kwame states:

“You’re afraid big dreams are embarrassing, you’re afraid your best work is behind you, you’re afraid you have no best work to begin with. You’re afraid of being a one-hit wonder, you’re afraid of being a no-hit wonder. There is a bottomless pit from which we can be afraid. Everything is scary, do it anyway.”