Have you ever considered a career in the music industry? Perhaps you’re unsure of the jobs available to you? UD’s How To Steal My Job panel invited key music industry players to break down their career journeys, opportunities and routes to success on your chosen employment path. DJ, Presenter & UD Writer Maria Hanlon was hosting the panel and recaps what went down…
The panel kicked off the #IT2024 Industry Takeover 2024 at Talent House and it felt so good to be back in the beautiful building! Joining me on the panel were three industry experts; Abi Lufadeju (Music Lawyer and Legal & Business Affairs Manager at AJL Legal), Charlie Ogbechie (Artist Development Lead, SoundCloud (Europe)) and Jacqueline ‘JPL’ Pelham-Leigh (Senior Membership Development Lead at PRS for Music, Industry Advisory Group Lead at UD).
Prior to the panel, I’d done plenty of research into the panellists and was so impressed by their career journeys, so knew we had a lot to cover in the 60 minute slot. I began by asking them to introduce themselves and talk through their first steps into the music industry. Abi went first and told us she was part of the street team for Skepta’s Boy Better Know. JPL decided she wanted to spit bars and fell in love with music, starting out as a rapper. Charlie began throwing parties around the UK whilst at uni, booking the likes of Giggs and Krept & Konan, going on to work for UD.
After hearing about their different routes into the music industry we moved on to discuss how each of them landed their current job. Abi shared that she did work experience at different law firms, in-house record labels, publishing companies and management companies. She then met artists who needed their legal & business affairs managed, so decided to set up her own company two years ago.
JPL told us she used to rap but was fed up of waiting for beats so she bought a keyboard and started making beats herself. She’s done many roles since including being a producer and a manager, previously managing Ivorian Doll, and then secured her current PRS role. The role was the most applied for job at PRS with over 400 applications, but clearly she was the perfect person for the job.
Since throwing parties with his friend who was a DJ, Charlie wanted to get artists & creators exposure to fans. He shared a term someone he knew had coined, “an artist helper” and said that’s what his role was, which really stuck with me. He then went on to add, “My thing is I put the artist first at all times, we should always put the artist front & centre and help them be the best version of themselves.”
After finding out about each of their career paths, I asked them what advice they’d give for someone trying to follow a similar route. Abi said the best thing to do for someone interested in her role would be to get a law degree or a GDL (a Graduate Diploma in Law). Abi advised that doing work experience at law firms would be really beneficial too. She reeled off a list of music law firms she recommended which included; Russells, Sheridans, Clintons, Bray & Krais, SGD, Van Straten. For in house Abi name dropped – Ninja Tunes, Hospital Records, Domino, Beggars Group and XL Recordings. For Management companies, Abi suggested First Access.
JPL, when asked the same question, without hesitation answered, “Be a decent human being, so when you make that phone call somebody picks up the phone. When you send that text, when you write that email, people respond just because you’re on copy. That’s the first & foremost thing for me.” JPL continued to drop words of wisdom as she went on to say, “Integrity is important, people don’t have to like you but they know when you’re coming to the table you’re coming correctly.”
It was Charlie’s turn to answer what advice he’d give and he said, “Check your ego at the door.” He went on to explain why he thought being professional was super important. Charlie used another phrase I thought was brilliant, “Network horizontally as well as vertically.” He emphasised the importance of helping and learning from others. Charlie also recalled his interview at Live Nation and remembers taking all his event flyers in a plastic case and the team being really impressed because no one had ever done that before. He said you need to know, “How you’re going to stand out. Go the extra mile, be entrepreneurial.”
The panel came to an end and we had time for some audience questions. I think everyone in the room can agree some absolute gems were dropped that afternoon and I hope everyone left feeling as inspired as I did.
Words: Maria Hanlon @mariahanlon. Listen to The Voices Breakfast Show with Maria Hanlon on the 1st & 3rd Friday of the month 9-11am on voicesradio.co.uk.
Photography: Kat Friar & Laura ‘Hyperfrank’ Brosnan
