Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment

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Meet Tara Formosa (@tara.formosa) — a rising singer-songwriter originally from Melbourne, Australia, now making waves from Malta. Blending heartfelt lyricism with pop-inspired beats, Tara’s music captures the beauty and intensity of human emotion.

After starting her journey in musical theatre, Tara transitioned into songwriting in 2017 and has since released multiple singles and her debut EP, ‘Confessional’. In 2026, she’s set to release 5 new singles every 6–8 weeks, starting with ‘Monster’ dropping on Friday the 13th.

Join us as we dive into her creative process, storytelling, and what it takes to thrive as an independent artist in today’s music scene.

💫 Follow Tara:
Instagram: @tara.formosa
Facebook: Tara Formosa
Spotify: Tara Formosa on Spotify

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Meet Robert Frezza (@robertfrezza) — a renowned music and fashion journalist who has interviewed legends like Lady Gaga, Kings of Leon, Garbage, Nine Inch Nails, The Strokes, Slash, and many more.

With bylines in CMJ, The Aquarian, and Ones To Watch, and as the founder of ModernFrequency.com, Robert shares insider perspectives on the intersection of music, culture, and style. In this episode, we dive into his journey, favorite interviews, and what it takes to stay ahead in the fast-paced worlds of music and fashion journalism.

💫 Follow Robert:

Instagram: @robertfrezza
Website: ModernFrequency.com
Instagram: @ModernFrequency

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Meet Olufunmilayo “Funmi” Oke (@Studio.olu) — a music executive and A&R powerhouse dedicated to building a global presence for artists. With over seven years of experience, she has worked with talents like Ludacris, Syd, Sasha Keable, Blood Civilian, Adekunle Gold, and Stonebwoy, and has previously served as Associate Director of A&R at Def Jam Recordings.

Funmi began her career collaborating with Steve Lacy, The Internet, and Jesse Boykins III, and has contributed to publications including Saint Heron, Pigeons & Planes, EARMILK, and The FADER. As the founder of Studio Olu, she helps creatives define their identity and expand their reach in an ever-evolving music landscape.

💫 Follow Funmi:
Instagram: @Studio.olu
LinkedIn: Funmi Oke

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In this episode, we chat with Robin, who spent nearly two years in the music industry managing artists like VGMB Jestik and Volatile Innovator, running the popular rap showcase OPACZA, and building an online community for artists called Performers’ Lab.

Robin shares insights on the challenges and triumphs of artist management, fostering up-and-coming talent, and creating online spaces for musicians to connect and grow. Recently, Robin transitioned into the tech world, joining an AI company, bringing a unique perspective on the intersection of music, innovation, and technology.

Tune in for a conversation full of career pivots, creative entrepreneurship, and the lessons learned from building communities in music and tech.

📱 Connect with Robin:

• Instagram: @29misunderstood
   | @opacza
  
  
• LinkedIn: Robin Che
  | XtractAI
  
  

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Join us as we chat with Becky Raisman, an accomplished singer, songwriter, and keyboardist originally from the Chicagoland area. A Columbia College Chicago alum (Class of 2007), Becky has honed her craft with renowned voice teachers, performed at open mics and contests, and recorded at top studios from Nashville to Memphis to Charleston.

With five EPs under her belt—including Earth Goddesses and Peace, Love, and Harmony—

Becky shares the stories behind her music, her collaborations with artists like Matt Robinson (Old Shoe) and Annie Lesser, and her experiences navigating the music industry as a lesbian artist.

Tune in for insights on songwriting, recording, performing, and how Becky continues to evolve her sound while promoting her latest project, Pride Fest. A heartfelt conversation about music, identity, and creating harmony in both life and art.

🎵 Listen to her music: SoundCloud
 | ReverbNation

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In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we dive into the hypnotic, intentional world of Jody Whitesides a truly independent artist redefining what it means to build a sustainable, self-directed music career.

Writing, performing, producing and engineering his work as one continuous creative process, Jody creates pop-leaning music with depth, songs built on groove, restraint and emotional tension that linger long after they end.

With a catalog spanning ten albums (1997–2026), film, television and video game placements, and early digital distribution milestones including becoming one of the first non-signed artists to release music on iTunes through CD Baby Jody has quietly built a pioneering independent legacy.

Now, he’s executing an ambitious long-form release strategy: over 100 songs released weekly across 18 months, each newly shaped for immersive Dolby Atmos listening, culminating in new music in 2027.

We explore:

The psychology of groove and emotional restraint

Total creative control as a solo artist

Long-form release strategy in the streaming era

Immersive audio and the future of listening

Building longevity without chasing hype

As Jody puts it: “a funky audio lap dance for your ears.”

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In this global industry deep dive, we’re joined by Nick Green, co-founder of Next Play Music Group and an international music executive with over a decade of experience in publishing, A&R, and artist development.

Nick has collaborated with some of the biggest names in music, including Drake, Sean Paul, Migos, Young Thug, Rita Ora, Akon and Monsta X, with placements spanning the US, UK, France, Korea, and Latin America.

With over 50+ platinum-certified records, major sync placements with organisations like the NBA, Netflix, and global brands including LEGO, Nick has built a reputation for spotting talent early and turning potential into long-term success.

In this episode, we explore:

• How global publishing really works behind the scenes
• What it takes to develop hit-making producers and songwriters
• The evolution of A&R in today’s streaming economy
• Sync, brand partnerships, and building international careers
• Why tech and music innovation are reshaping the industry
• How young creatives can build sustainable, future-proof careers

Now focused on consulting, education, and advising emerging music tech platforms, Nick sits at the intersection of artistry and innovation — helping shape what’s next in the global music ecosystem.

If you’re serious about understanding how international hits are built and how to navigate today’s music business strategically, this episode is essential listening.

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In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez sits down with JBA Mutethia, a 22-year-old emcee from Ruiru, Kenya, whose story proves that hip hop is more than music it’s liberation.

Born Anold Mutethia and currently studying Theatre Arts and Film Technology at Kenyatta University, JBA represents a new generation of African creatives redefining narrative, voice, and identity.

JBA stands for Justifiably Beyond Average and that philosophy runs through everything he creates.

Having released two studio albums, including his latest project Welcome Home (out November 16th, 2025), JBA is building momentum while balancing academia and artistry.

But what makes this conversation extraordinary is his truth:

He stutters but when he raps, it disappears.

Hip hop gave him back what stuttering tried to take away expression.

In this episode, we explore:

• The Kenyan hip hop movement and youth culture
• Studying theatre while building a music career
• Overcoming speech challenges through artistry
• Identity, resilience, and self-definition
• Why hip hop is a tool for empowerment

This is a story about voice  finding it, owning it, and amplifying it beyond borders.

Because sometimes, music doesn’t just change your life — it gives it back to you.

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In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, Saskhia Menendez sits down with New York-based singer and songwriter David Sosa, an artist redefining what it means to be genre-fluid in today’s music industry.

With influences spanning opera, jazz standards, Broadway, 90s R&B, and the soulful sounds of the 60s and 80s, David has crafted a sound that is both timeless and contemporary. His debut album Journey to Love climbed to #3 on the iTunes Top 100 a powerful milestone for an independent artist carving his own lane.

Now, with his latest release Ups, Downs, & In Betweens, David expands his artistry even further blending genre-bending production with heartfelt storytelling that resonates across generations.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Building a multi-genre career in New York
• The power of vocal versatility and theatrical influence
• Honouring legacy sounds while creating something new
• Navigating independent success in a streaming-first world
• Why emotional authenticity still wins

This episode is about evolution, resilience, and the courage to create without boundaries.

Because great music doesn’t fit into boxes it builds bridges.

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Music does not stop when the world changes — it evolves.

In this episode, Saskhia welcomes Bohdan Dovhan from Ukraine to discuss the realities of working within a music ecosystem shaped by conflict, transformation, and global attention.

We talk about:
The evolution of Ukrainian music
International collaboration opportunities
The power of digital platforms
Why cultural voices matter more than ever

This conversation highlights how creativity can transcend borders and why supporting global voices is essential to the future of the music industry.

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