
Abi Lufadeju – Music Lawyer and Legal & Business Affairs Manager at AJL LegalAbi Lufadeju
Abi Lufadeju is an award-winning Music Lawyer and Legal & Business Affairs Manager.
Abi’s journey in music is unique, from artist to legal expert. Abi graduated with a law degree in 2012, followed by completing the Legal Practice Course and a Master’s degree in 2014, qualifying as a Solicitor in 2016.
Abi’s exceptional talent and dedication were recognised in 2017 when she won the prestigious Lawyer (Rising Star) of the Year (Under 30) Award at the Young Music Boss Awards. Her commitment to education and empowerment in the music industry is evident through her creation of “The Music Law Seminar,” an event that fosters music community networking and knowledge sharing. Abi has collaborated with various charities and organisations, including her role as Project Manager for Cambridge House’s event “There Ain’t No Black In The Union Jack.”
Abi’s professional experience is extensive and varied. She has worked as a Solicitor at Briffa, a leading Intellectual Property law firm, and held Consultant Solicitor roles at award-winning music law firms such as Russells and Van Straten. She has successfully negotiated deals for prominent artists, including Headie One and Teni. Additionally, as the youngest Associate Lecturer at Buckinghamshire University, she educated Music Business degree students on Music Industry Contracts and Intellectual Property Law.
Abi has previously worked in-house as a Legal & Business Affairs Manager for independent record labels such as Ninja Tune and Hospital Records, also overseeing their music publishing operations.
Currently, Abi is focused on expanding AJL Legal, her Legal & Business Affairs Consultancy.
Speaking: Wednesday Afternoon
midday-1pm
HOW TO STEAL MY JOB
Ever considered a career in the music industry? Unsure of the jobs available to you? UD’s How To Steal My Job panel invites key music industry players to break down their career journeys, opportunities and routes to success on your chosen employment path.
1pm-2pm & 3pm-4pm
SPEED NETWORKING
Following the How To Steal My Job panel, this is your opportunity to get up close and personal with music industry experts in our Speed Networking event. Work the room and speak to representatives from BBC Music, Handle Recruitment, London Legacy Development Good Growth Hub, Small Green Shoots and more.
2pm-3pm
ahmed hussain IN CONVERSATION WITH YEMI ABIADE – POWERED BY BBC MUSIC
Since 2020, Ahmed Hussain has been Head of BBC Asian Network. In this in-depth interview with Yemi Abiade, we’ll explore Ahmed’s career, from beginning his broadcasting career at pirate and community radio stations in East London, focusing on providing opportunities for young talent to get into broadcasting and the media, to working with the Ministry of Justice as the Head of Prison Radio from 2016-2019.
Now leading BBC Asian Network to reach over half a million listeners weekly and more than two million through social media and video content, he’s also been tasked with moving the whole Asian Network winning Gold at the 2024 ARIAS as the best radio station in the UK and recently posting its highest RAJAR numbers post Covid.
4pm-6pm
UTALK POWERED BY UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK
Considering a job in the music industry? Ever wondered what working at a record label involves? Explore different careers in the music industry with this UTalk from Universal Music UK.
Speakers
Maria Hanlon – DJ, Presenter (Voices Radio), Producer (BBC Introducing in London), Music Writer (UD)
Abi Lufadeju – Music Lawyer and Legal & Business Affairs Manager at AJL LegalAbi Lufadeju
Charlie Ogbechie – Artist Development Lead, SoundCloud (Europe)
Eunice Obianagha – Head of Diversity at UK Music & Director at Enspire Management
Charmaine Kuranchie – Learning and Organisational Development Manager, Universal Music UK
Rhianna Perkins – Legal PA and Paralegal at Polydor
Ahmed Hussain – Head of Station: BBC Asian Network
Celia Faray-Gieskes – Junior Creator Manager at Island Records
Speaking: Saturday Afternoon
MIDDAY-4PM
MEET THE EXPERT SURGERIES
Looking for specialist one-to-one advice? Sign up to our Meet The Expert Surgeries and we’ll aim to supply the fix! Whether you’re looking for artist management tips, legal know-how, online strategy pointers, help in maximising performance royalties or general music advice, our experts are here to tackle those burning questions.
MIDDAY-4PM
A&R ESSENTIALS
Want to get feedback on your demo? Got an idea that you’re looking for direction on? Think you’ve written a hit? Got a question? Sign up for this incredible opportunity to meet with some of the most powerful A&Rs in the UK music industry.
1pm-3pm
production masterclass with jb made it – powered by finesse foreva
Join JB Made It – whose cuts include Drake & Fivio Foreign, French Montana, Chief Keef
& Skengdo AM, Melladaze, Darkoo, IQ & Amaria BB, Ivorian Doll, Russ Millions, Headie One, Unknown T, Potter Payper & more – in UD’s state of the art studio, as we explore JB’s creative process, tricks, tips and more in this exclusive practical workshop, powered by Finesse Foreva. Spaces are limited!
1PM-2PM
live music masterclass – powered by high roller
High Roller will present a live music panel featuring Jojo (co-founder), Lodina (project manager) and RBC (programming manager) who will lead you through their respective departments and what it takes to work in the live music and event space.
2pm-3pm
creating a visual identity
UD invites you to this panel discussion where creative professionals Hyperfrank, Samuel Adjaye and Tolu Elusadé, boasting multifaceted experience in the music and entertainment industries, will delve into the art of creating a visual identity with host, Nayana.AB. From building up a portfolio and initial branding steps to pitching and delivering jobs to brief, we’ll look at how freelance creative jobs connect to music, videos, social media identity, content creation and more.
2PM-6PM
LIVE DJ SETS FROM NO SIGNAL
Following the High Roller panel, SAVSSOUNDS and RBC will spin some of their favourite tracks across a wealth of genres including Afrobeats, Amapiano and more in the Talent House atrium to keep the good vibes going.
4PM-6PM
OPEN MIC – POWERED BY TRENCH
Calling all Black music artists! Join us on Saturday 28th September for Open Mic – powered by TRENCH. Want to perform?
Drop an email with links to your music to openmic@udmusic.org.
Speakers
JB Made It – Producer/ Finesse Foreva
Abi Lufadeju – Music Lawyer and Legal & Business Affairs Manager at AJL LegalAbi Lufadeju
Shanice McConnachie – Artist manager
Adele White – Senior A&R Manager, Atlantic Records UK
Mel Ijeh – Artist Manager (formerly A&R Manager, 5k Records)
Lodina Agyeman – Project manager
Humphrey Ogiesewu – Touring Accountant, CC Young & Co
Dom Scialo – Head of Rights Management, Y Royalties
Roxanne Oak – Relationship Manager for Dance Music Genres at PPL
TK – Manager & Co-Founder, Finesse Foreva
Hyperfrank – Photographer, archivist, producer (TRENCH)
Jay Radia – A&R at Relentless Records, Sony Music UK
SK – Co-founder/ A&R, Finesse Foreva
Jojo Sonubi – Co-Founder, High Roller
Nayana.AB – Artist, UD Progamme Associate & writer
Samuel Adjaye – Multidisciplinary artist, filmmaker & creative director, swrv.studios