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In the constantly changing music industry, having a diverse set of skills and side-hustles is now almost more important than ever to make sure your work really stands out. We're partnering with Alpha Industries to recognize some of the many multi-talented people in today’s high-powered music biz that seem to never miss a beat.
In an ever-shifting music industry, the most impactful figures include a fascinating mix of up-and-coming professionals and nimble veterans who work hard to change the game and promote the coolest artists and projects. Editors, journalists, A&Rs, managers, strategists, bookers, producers, publicists, and more often take on at least two of those roles in order to shape what music resonates most strongly with the rest of us. Recently, the people in the industry gaining the most recognition have proven that, in order to thrive in the music business, working on a diverse range of projects is a crucial part of becoming—and staying—successful and forward-thinking. This list highlights a few of the tastemakers adapting to a business that all but requires its power players to have many jobs in one—and how they make the industry their own in all the many things that they do.
Caroline Simionescu-Marin
Current Title: A&R Manager, XL Recordings
Location: London
Social: @carolinesm on Twitter, @carolinesmx on IG
In her first position as an events booker and tastemaker at the London grime website GRM Daily, Simionescu-Marin put together wild shows at local clubs that featured artists like Stormzy, who she told MusicWeek is “the blueprint” for what she sees as the future of the music industry. Since her time at GRM, Simionescu-Marin has been headhunting for talent as an A&R for XL Recordings. Having gotten rising-star grime, drill, and hip-hop artists she’s booked for live events together on the killer compilation album New Gen, it’s clear to her peers and clients that Simionescu-Marin knows full well what she’s talking about. Anyone looking to see what hits come out of London next should keep an eye on her.
Kei Henderson
Current Title: CEO & Lead Strategist, King Me Collective; Personal Manager, 21 Savage
Location: Atlanta
Social: @keiopensdoors on Twitter and IG
Henderson is the ultimate music-industry polymath, having worked in editorial, creative, social media, marketing, sales, and strategy. She currently serves as the CEO of King Me Collective, a brand marketing and talent management company that boasts clients like 21 Savage, whom she personally manages. Previously, she ran special projects for New York clothing brand 10.Deep, and worked as a manager here at Complex for our marketing department’s social media team from 2010 to 2013. Kei’s most crucial strength is expanding her own business presence and reign while assisting artists and brands in doing the same, meaning, if you’re on her team, she’ll throw her full weight behind you—for everyone’s benefit.
Amy Morgan
Current Title: Creative Director, Beggars Music Group; Manager, Glass Animals
Location: London
Social: @missamym on Twitter
When she was only a college student, Amy Morgan became a talent scout at Island Records. After graduating, she moved into publishing and A&R at the label, as well as at Zomba, V2, and Cooperative Music. She moved on to Beggars Music Group in 2009, where she became the creative director. In that position, she’s worked closely with artists including Warpaint and Cat Power, and she’s also worked as a manager for the band Glass Animals. Morgan’s strengths lie in applying her talents and ethics to a far-ranging career that suits her, her artists, and listeners far and wide.
Danyel Smith
Current Title: Culture Lead (Senior Producer and Editor), The Undefeated
Location: New York City
Social: @danamo on Twitter and IG
Widely considered an authority on all things editorial and journalistic, Smith is one of the most well-respected music-industry professionals around. Beginning her career at The San Francisco Bay Guardian as a critic and columnist, she went on to hold top editorial positions at Vibe, where she was the editor-in-chief of both the magazine and website before later moving on to become the chief content officer of Vibe Media Group. She’s also served as an editor at Billboard and an editor-at-large at Time Inc. She currently works as the culture editor of ESPN’s new outlet The Undefeated and is writing an authoritative history of African-American women in pop music. Given her definitive music profiles and byline appearing in almost any national magazine one could name, it’s bound to be an instant classic.
Jessica Hopper
Current Title: Senior Creative Producer, Spotify Originals
Location: Chicago
Social: @jesshopp on Twitter
Hopper has been a person to know in the music industry since she was 16 years old. She began as a critic, musician, manager, and publicist in the Chicago scene, garnering a national reputation through her self-published zine Hit It or Quit It, reporting for the Chicago Tribune and other outlets, and work with bands like Gossip, Jawbreaker, and countless other stalwarts of the 2000s alternative and indie scenes. In the past few years, she served as the music editor for the independent youth-culture site Rookie, where she locked down exclusive features from top artists, released her first book, First Collection of Criticism By a Living Female Rock Critic, became the executive editor at MTV News, and ultimately moved on to Spotify Originals as a senior creative producer. Hopper’s professional evolution in the industry finds her not only adapting to, but often leading, the developments and shifts that define how people listen to, find, and share the music they love.