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Did Ya Know podcast chronicles the untold stories of executives of colour, who have led the way in the British music industry. Each month, legendary music manager Adrian Sykes will talk to industry leaders, aiming not just to tell share their stories, but to inspire and guide a new generation of executives. https://www.didyaknowpodcast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adrian Sykes


    • Dec 29, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 48m AVG DURATION
    • 42 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Did Ya Know

    Aaron Hercules

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 29, 2023 68:39


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Aaron Hercules, who has manager, football agent, A&R man as well as many other titles under his belt. Aaron talks about his early music inspirations, learning invaluable lessons on the job, his move into football, and his hopes for the future of the music business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Union Black - Jazzie B

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 17, 2023 64:55


    "The beauty of this industry is that there are no rules” - Jazzie BSoul II Soul became the biggest sound system in the world. They redefined contemporary culture. Along the way the way they accumulated number one singles, Grammy Awards and sold millions of records and had ‘that sound' -often imitated, but never bettered and heard around the worldJazzie B and the sound of Soul II Soul showcased the culture clash of UK Britain and the sounds that he absorbed. From the dub plates of he sound system, the West End clubs that he sometimes struggled to gain admittance to, punk, the homogenous sound of UK radio and everything in between, all helped shape the Soul II Soul sound. Entrepreneur, producer, musician Jazzie B shares his story of London, life and how those influences helped him take the sound of the black underground around the world.Union Black - The Black British Producers Behind Global Albums A Down St Production Executive Producer - Danny DEditor Engin Hassan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Union Black Kwame “KZ” Kwei-Armah Jr

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 12, 2023 67:56


    Kwame “KZ” Kwei-Armah Jr. is one of the next generation of fearless young producers. He's already worked with Stormzy, Arrdee, Cat Burns, Wretch 32, Stefflon Don, Ray Blk and counts his contribution to the soundtrack for Marvels ‘Black Panther ‘Wakanda Forever' among his long list of credits His music he says “is inspired and motivated by my childhood and the music and melodies I was surrounded by. My family were music enthusiasts and creatives and I had access to instruments from an early age. My culture, history and social climate at the time of creating all serve to inspire me and propel me to push boundaries and norms.”The first Black producer to win a BAFTA award for his work own the BBC series ‘Mood', this episode of Union Black talks with KZ about his past, present and what the future holds for one of the UK's brightest talents. Union Black - The Black British Producers Behind Global Albums A Down St Production Executive Producer - Danny DProducer - Engin Hassan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Travis Beckford

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2023 66:58


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by manager, A&R man, and founder of The Future Is, Travis Beckford. Travis talks about his early love of football, turning his life around after making some mistakes, the chance encounters that changed his life for the better and so much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Union Black - Dennis Bovell - Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 58:33


    The Did Ya Know team are proud top be a part of the Google Arts and Culture series 'Union Black' with three very special episodes. UNION BLACK is an online multi-format content series across YouTube and Google Arts & Culture, featuring a curated collection of videos, audio documentaries, podcasts, stories and photographs taking us on a journey celebrating the contributions of Black British music artists, creatives, professionals and scenes.Told by the Black British music community, these stories will demonstrate the undeniable influence and impact of Black British music and culture in the UK and beyond. In three special episodes, 'The Black British Producers behind Global Albums', is a series of podcasts that accompany the visual series with additional content, spotlighting the contribution of Black British music producers who have had International impact.In this episode we talk to legendary producer Dennis Bovell, the man who not only produced incredible records, but created a genre - Lovers Rock a sound that epitomised Black Britain. He tells us about sound systems and the part they played in his life, how he c with Linton Kwesi Johnson, how a man synonymous in the world of reggae produced an iconic Punk band and of course how Janet Kay's single ‘Silly Games' change the music landscape.If you want too know more about Union Black and check the amazing content please head to goo.gle/unionblack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Union Black - Dennis Bovell - Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 21, 2023 57:26


    The Did Ya Know team are proud top be a part of the Google Arts and Culture series 'Union Black' with three very special episodes. UNION BLACK is an online multi-format content series across YouTube and Google Arts & Culture, featuring a curated collection of videos, audio documentaries, podcasts, stories and photographs taking us on a journey celebrating the contributions of Black British music artists, creatives, professionals and scenes.Told by the Black British music community, these stories will demonstrate the undeniable influence and impact of Black British music and culture in the UK and beyond. In three special episodes, 'The Black British Producers behind Global Albums', is a series of podcasts that accompany the visual series with additional content, spotlighting the contribution of Black British music producers who have had International impact.In this episode we talk to legendary producer Dennis Bovell, the man who not only produced incredible records, but created a genre - Lovers Rock a sound that epitomised Black Britain. He tells us about sound systems and the part they played in his life, how he c with Linton Kwesi Johnson, how a man synonymous in the world of reggae produced an iconic Punk band and of course how Janet Kay's single ‘Silly Games' change the music landscape.If you want too know more about Union Black and check the amazing content please head to goo.gle/unionblack Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Shani Gonzales

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2023 58:09


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Shani Gonzales, Managing Director of Warner Chappell Music UK and Head of International A&R. Shani talks about her early music influences, the importance of being connected to her roots, what New York means to her, and the differences she has observed working in the US vs UK music business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Marc Williams

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2023 61:18


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by producer and artist manager Marc Williams, who has had an incredible career in the music business to date. Marc talks about the harsh realities he faced in his early career, how letting ego impact decisions can be a costly mistake, how making library music saved him and working with genre defying Labrinth. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Nick Eziefula

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 47:56


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Nick Eziefula, Partner at Simkins. Not only is Nick one of the top media and entertainment lawyers in the country, he is also an artist in his own right. Nick shares how he discovered his passion for music, how he manages to pursue two careers simultaneously, and how he gives back to the next generation. And listen out for an exclusive snippet of one of his upcoming tracks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Austin Daboh

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2023 57:02


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Executive Vice President at Atlantic Records UK, Austin Daboh. Austin shares how he fell in love with music via UK garage, how a random question about German politics got him a job at the BBC, and he even drops a bit of exclusive news about his upcoming work. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    MistaJam

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2023 58:15


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by DJ and radio presenter MistaJam. MistaJam talks about his past experiences in acting, how he broke into radio, and why he's always felt like an outsider. Due to a tech issue on the day of recording, we've used backup audio for Adrian! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Trenton Harrison-Lewis

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 56:38


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Trenton Harrison-Lewis, Senior Vice President at Warner Music Group. Trenton talks about his experience of working with Goldie, doing Nipsey Hussle's first UK show and his views on being called a role model. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Whitney Boateng

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2023 56:45


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Whitney Boateng, Live Agent at WME. Whitney shares her views on nepotism, the importance of visibility, the realities of being a working mother in the music business and why she is striving to help the next generation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    David Miller

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2023 53:46


    We're kicking off season 3 of Did Ya Know podcast with David Miller, Managing Partner at Sevengrand Entertainment. David shares why he took his career stateside, how he learned to never keep Jay-Z waiting, why he believes the UK is yet to have its own Black superstar and so much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    David Grant MBE Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 29, 2022 37:27


    On this episode of the Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by David Grant MBE for part two of their conversation. David shares what led to him moving on from performing, how he fell in love with vocal coaching, and his hopes for Black creatives in the 21st century. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    David Grant MBE Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 15, 2022 44:22


    On this episode of the Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by singer and vocal coach David Grant MBE. In the first of a two part special, David shares how his journalism training led to his first opportunities in the music business, the highs and lows of being a performer, and why representation comes with added pressure Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Amber Davis

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2022 35:21


    On this episode of the Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Amber Davis, Head of A&R at Warner Chappell Music Publishing. Amber talks about the work experience role that changed everything, the power of a sync deal, and how the music business has changed for people of colour Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Cookie Pryce

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2022 47:14


    On this episode of the Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Cookie Pryce, Director, Label Management at The Orchard. Cookie talks about her experience as an artist, working in the US vs the UK, and whether the events of 2020 mean lasting change for people of colour in the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dumi Oburota

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2022 38:05


    On this episode of the Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Dumi Oburota, founder of Disturbing London. Dumi talks about the realities of being a manager, his journey with Tinie Tempah and his hopes for the next generation of music execs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Jade Richardson

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2022 42:21


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Jade Richardson, A&R at Warner Records UK. Jade talked about her early career as an artist, setting up iluvlive, and why she's passionate about serving her community through music. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Colin Batsa

    Play Episode Listen Later May 12, 2022 48:31


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Colin Batsa, co-founder of the EGA Music Group. Colin talked about his early political ambitions, how he became passion about the business side of the music industry, and why spending time in Ghana gave him some much needed perspective. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Nihal Arthanayake

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 28, 2022 54:13


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by BBC Radio 5 Live presenter Nihal Arthanayake. Nihal talked about his love of hip hop, starting out as an artist and the BBC audition that changed everything Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tim Blacksmith

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2022 46:33


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by artist, producer, writer, manager and now a leading light in music publishing, Tim Blacksmith. Tim talked about his early love of drumming, why leaving the UK was good for his career, and the Jam and Lewis project that turned things around Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Joe Kentish

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2022 43:41


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Joe Kentish, President of Warner Records UK. At the time of recording this interview, Joe was Head of A&R at Warner Records. He shared what he learned from his early years in the industry, what he looked for when signing artists, and the importance of building a strong network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Taponeswa Mavunga

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 4, 2022 39:57


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast, Adrian is joined by Taponeswa Mavunga, Director of Africa at Sony Music UK. Tune in to hear how Taponeswa got her start in the business, why she fought to get Missy Elliott on the cover of NME, and why Africa is the unsung hero of global popular culture Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Rich Castillo

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2022 45:13


    We're back! We're kicking off season 2 of Did Ya Know podcast with Rich Castillo. A&R Director at Atlantic Records. Rich talks about his roots in TV, some of his most humbling experiences in the industry, and why it takes more than talent alone to be a successful act. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Adrian Sykes and Danny D - Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2021 41:26


    It's the final episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers season one! Tune in to hear part two of Adrian's chat with Danny D, where the pair talk about Danny's move to the states, Adrian taking a break from the business, working with Emeli Sande and their hopes for the future of the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Adrian Sykes and Danny D - Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2021 53:57


    In this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers Podcast, Adrian is joined by artist, producer, remixer and co-founder of the Did Ya Know Podcast, Danny D. Tune in to part one of a two-part conversation between the long time friends, to find out how they met and their respective journeys in the music industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mel Rudder

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2021 42:59


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers, we hear from director of Three Thirty Music, Mel Rudder. Mel talks about her journey from street team member to highly respected radio plugger, and the people who inspired her along the way. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Kwame Kwaten

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2021 46:40


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers, we hear from Kwame Kwaten, co-founder of The Ultimate Seminar and co-founder of Cre8ing Vision. Kwame talks about getting his start in a band, discovering Shola Ama, touring with Michael Jackson and so much more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Dej Mahoney

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2021 38:15


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers, we hear from former Sony VP of Business Affairs, and co-owner of legal and business consultancy All Our Business. Dej Mahoney, Dej talks about how he found his way into the music business, and how he feels about his privileged, yet still challenging pathway Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Mervyn Lyn

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2021 45:50


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers, we hear from Mervyn Lyn, founding partner at Strategic Partnership Solutions, and former BMG and Sony Records Vice President. Mervyn talks about his journey into the industry, and how bringing street team culture to UK music changed the game Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Matt Ross

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2021 46:16


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Podcast Pioneers, we're joined by Matt Ross, Director of Sent Entertainment, and former Vice President of Marketing at Sony Europe. Matt talks about his start in the music business, and how being made redundant led to an epiphany in Trinidad. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Keith Harris OBE - Part Two

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 17, 2021 39:57


    Part two of our chat with the legendary Keith Harris OBE. Tune in to find out what happened when he came back to the UK in the early 80s, after working with Stevie Wonder Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Keith Harris OBE - Part One

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2021 51:06


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers, we're joined by the legendary Keith Harris OBE. Keith shares how he started in the music business, from aspiring musician, to one of the most sought after managers in the industry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Sonia Diwan

    Play Episode Listen Later May 6, 2021 39:04


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers, we're joined by Sonia Diwan, partner and co-owner of legal firm Sound Advice. Sonia was previously named one of the most influential women in the music business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Raye Cosbert

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2021 37:16


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers, we're joined by Raye Cosbert, Managing Director of Metropolis Music. Raye talks about his journey from aspiring musician, to one of the most influential promoters in the business. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Tinie Tempah

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 53:17


    On this episode of Did Ya Know Pioneers, we talk to Tinie Tempah, artist and co-founder of innovative 360 management and entertainment company Disturbing London. Tinie talks about his struggles and successes in the UK music business, and how he plans to make things better for the next generation of artists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Fay Hoyte

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 5, 2021 46:15


    Fay Hoyte is Senior Marketing Director at EMI Records, and one of the most influential women in the UK music business. In this episode, Fay talks about her journey from Street Team member to senior executive, the challenges that she's faced along the way, and how she's risen above them to forge a stellar career Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Glyn Aikins

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2021 40:54


    In this episode, Adrian sits down with Glyn Aikins, Co-President of Since '93. Glyn talks about teaching himself to DJ back in the day, his journey as a club promoter, and what inspired him to finally run a label Have a listen to Glyn's career playlist here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Darcus Beese OBE

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 4, 2020 46:34


    Season one of Did Ya Know kicks off with Adrian Sykes in conversation with the legendary Darcus Beese OBE, President and CEO of Island Records. Tune in to find out how Darcus went from working in a hairdressers, to being one of the most successful A&R executives the industry has ever seen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Did Ya Know Podcast - Trailer

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2020 1:21


    Did Ya Know podcast chronicles the untold stories of executives of colour, who have led the way in the British music industry. Each month, legendary music manager Adrian Sykes will talk to industry leaders, aiming not just to tell share their stories, but to inspire and guide a new generation of executives. Join us for season 1 focussing on the pioneers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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