Features

Five Amazing Black Women Trailblazing The American Music Industry

BY Dora Abena Dzaka April 25, 2024 4:14 PM EDT
Photo Source: Facebook/ @Temi Adeniji, @Amber Grimes and @Sylvia Rhone

In observance of Women’s History Month, let us highlight the committed women in the music business who put in countless hours behind the scenes.

These ladies manage marketing strategies, see to it that artistes are properly promoted and reach their intended audience, and are vital to the success of many of our favorite musicians.

These black women music executives, work with artistes such as Saweetie, Tyla, Summer Walker, Key Glock, and many more, and control everything from studio time to press events.

Let’s honor these black women for their outstanding accomplishments which have influenced the modern music industry.

Their hard work and impact deserve acknowledgment and praise for their unshakable dedication to their important skills.

Sylvia Rhone, Chairwoman and CEO, Epic Records 

American music business executive Sylvia Rhone has been the CEO and chairwoman of Epic Records, a Sony Music Entertainment label, since 2019. However, before this, Rhone held executive roles at Vested in Culture, Atlantic Records, Elektra Entertainment Group, and Universal Motown.

Bria Fisher, Director of Communication, Empire 

Bria Fisher is proof that hard work alone is not enough to achieve success. It also requires passion, manifestation, timeliness, and natural connections, all of which were crucial in her selection as Empire’s very first Director of Communications.

Ayanna Wilk, VP of Publicity, Epic Records

Ayanna Wilk is the Vice President of Publicity at Epic Records, where she oversees the US PR campaigns for musicians like Tyla, DJ Spinall, ScarLip, Madison Beer, 21 Savage, GIVĒON, BIA, Real Boston Richey, Mimi Webb, India Shawn, Mike Dimes, Southside, Joy Crookes, and many more.

Amber Grimes, EVP/GM, LVRN

Amber Grimes has done it all, from party promotion during her undergraduate years to working for and currently collaborating with some of the industry’s top music executives. Grimes has put in her 10,000 hours—and then some—to establish a name for herself as a black woman in an industry that is known for its ruthlessness.

Temi Adeniji, Managing Director, Warner Music South Africa 

Warner Music Group board member and Nigerian-American music executive Hameedat Temilade Adeniji, better known by her stage name Temi Adeniji, is the managing director of Warner Music Africa (previously known as Warner Music South Africa). Temi is renowned for overseeing Warner Music Group operations throughout Africa. The crossover success of CKay’s 2019 single Love Nwantinti is attributed to her.

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