Music Industry Insights Worldwide: Shaping Equality & Diversity in Music & Entertainment

Saskhia Menendez & Guests
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Harmonizing Voices: Global Perspectives on Equality & Diversity in the Music and Entertainment Industries with Saskhia Menendez & Special Guests Hosted by Saskhia Menendez, award-winning advocate and music industry leader, Music Industry Insights Worldwide dives deep into the evolving world of equality and diversity in the music and entertainment industries. Through candid conversations with special guests, including trailblazing artists, producers, and industry experts, this podcast explores the stories, struggles, and successes of those dedicated to creating a more inclusive and equitable industry. Whether you're an artist, industry professional, or music enthusiast, you’ll gain unique insights into the challenges faced by marginalized communities and how we can build a future of opportunity and representation. Alongside the podcast, Saskhia is set to release her interactive educational book (available soon), offering valuable tools, resources, and strategies to empower the next generation of artists and industry professionals. She’s also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, with recognition from the Global Diversity & Inclusion Honors and a Trans Charter to help support marginalized voices in music. Join us in reshaping the global music scene, one voice at a time. Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries, connects cultures, and touches our deepest emotions. It has the power to change lives, challenge norms, and inspire social change. However, as we celebrate the incredible diversity of voices and talents within the music industry, it's essential to acknowledge that the path to equality, diversity, and inclusion has not always been harmonious. In this podcast, we aim to spotlight the stories, struggles, and successes of those working tirelessly to make the music industry a more inclusive and equitable space for all. We will delve into the experiences of artists, producers, managers, and industry professionals who are breaking barriers, pushing boundaries, and reshaping the landscape of the music world. Stay connected and be part of the change: Follow Saskhia Menendez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misssaskhia/ Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kMWsoBQPh7Y5qgM5hgZJh Join the conversation: Share your thoughts and feedback on social media using #HarmonizingVoices #musicindustryinsightsworldwide #saskhiamenendez  So, whether you're a music enthusiast, an industry insider, or someone looking to be inspired, "Harmonizing Voices" is your guide to the evolving and ever-inspiring world of music industry equality, diversity, and inclusion. Don't forget to like, share, and hit that subscribe button!

  1. Kith The Kid: From Iran to London – The Untold Story

    23h ago

    Kith The Kid: From Iran to London – The Untold Story

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we sit down with Kith The Kid, the Iranian rapper born in Ahvaz who transformed adversity into an international music career. Known professionally as Kith The Kid, Marco Polo Mahan shares his powerful journey from discovering hip-hop at a young age through artists like Eminem and 50 Cent to teaching himself four languages and moving to the United Kingdom at just 19 years old to pursue his passion for music. After facing significant challenges in Iran that forced him to leave his home country, Kith The Kid refused to give up on his dreams. In 2021, he released his international EP, Legacy, featuring collaborations with acclaimed artists including OG Maco, Glasses Malone and Wrekonize. As of 2024, his music has been featured twice on Spotify RapCaviar, helping establish him as a rising voice in global hip-hop. In this conversation, we discuss: Growing up in Iran and discovering rap music Learning multiple languages through music Leaving home to build an international career  Creating the Legacy EP and collaborating with established artists The impact of being featured on RapCaviar  The challenges and opportunities facing independent artists today Subscribe for more conversations with artists, industry leaders and changemakers shaping the future of music. Follow Kith The Kid: Follow Music Industry Insights Worldwide for more exclusive interviews and industry insights. Support the show

    27 min
  2. From DistroKid to Independent Tools: Rethinking Music Distribution, Support & Artist Ownership With Jasen Samford

    May 22

    From DistroKid to Independent Tools: Rethinking Music Distribution, Support & Artist Ownership With Jasen Samford

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by Jasen Samford, founder of Gatefolded  a link-in-bio platform built for musicians to share music that actually plays — and a long-time music industry operator with deep experience in artist support and distribution systems. Jasen spent a decade as employee #2 at DistroKid, where he helped build out artist support and education operations, gaining first-hand insight into the challenges independent musicians face when navigating digital distribution platforms. Today, he continues that work through Gatefolded and a consulting practice that supports artists dealing with distribution disputes, platform issues, and the complexities of releasing music independently. Based in Seattle, Jasen is also an active drummer embedded in the local music scene, bringing a creator’s perspective alongside his technical and operational expertise. We explore how the modern distribution ecosystem impacts independent artists, why so many creators feel disconnected from the platforms they rely on, and what needs to change to make music infrastructure more transparent, fair, and sustainable. At its core, this conversation asks: how do we rebuild music systems so they serve artists not just scale content? Links: Gatefolded: gatefolded.com Consulting: jasensamford.com Instagram (Gatefolded): instagram.com/gatefolded.app Instagram (Personal): instagram.com/barrybirdnerd Support the show

    34 min
  3. From Journalism to Live Music Powerhouse | Rob Duguay on Writing, Radio & Building Scenes

    May 22

    From Journalism to Live Music Powerhouse | Rob Duguay on Writing, Radio & Building Scenes

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by Rob Duguay — a freelance arts and entertainment journalist, radio producer, and live music promoter based in Providence, Rhode Island. Rob shares his unique journey working across multiple sides of the music and media world, from writing for respected publications such as New Noise Magazine, Treble, and the Providence Journal, to founding his own culture platform, Culture Beat, on Medium. We also dive into his decade-long experience behind the scenes at the WEEI Sports Radio Network in Boston, where he works as a board operator and producer, as well as his work running Top 5 Fiend — a live music booking and promotions organisation that has brought together local, regional, national, and international artists across Rhode Island venues. This conversation explores the intersection of journalism, radio, and live music culture — and what it really takes to build and sustain creative communities from the ground up. Support the show

    18 min
  4. OB3Y: Turning Life, Love & Struggle into Music That Moves the Culture

    May 20

    OB3Y: Turning Life, Love & Struggle into Music That Moves the Culture

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with OB3Y, a Cameron artist transforming lived experience into powerful music and movement. Life, in all its chaotic beauty, becomes the muse. Through love, struggle, resilience, and ambition, OB3Y channels raw human experience into sound — creating music that feels honest, emotional, and deeply connected to real life. This conversation explores how personal journey shapes artistic identity, and how music becomes a way to process, express, and push beyond boundaries. We discuss: • Turning life experience into creative expression • The emotional core behind OB3Y’s sound • Love, struggle, and resilience as artistic fuel • Building authenticity in today’s music industry • Why storytelling matters more than ever in music OB3Y represents a new wave of artists who aren’t just making music — they’re documenting life in real time through melody, rhythm, and emotion. 🎧 A powerful episode for anyone who believes music should be lived, not manufactured. Support the show

    17 min
  5. Beyond Streaming: Rebuilding How Artists Create, Collaborate & Own Music with Alex Greco

    May 20

    Beyond Streaming: Rebuilding How Artists Create, Collaborate & Own Music with Alex Greco

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Greco, founder of Leep, a collaboration-first platform designed to transform how music is created long before it reaches streaming services. Leep is built around a simple but powerful idea: artists need space to develop music together, not just release it into algorithms. Instead of focusing solely on finished tracks and streaming performance, the platform allows creators to share works-in-progress, exchange structured feedback, and co-create in real time with collaborators, producers, and even fans. Alex brings a background spanning product leadership, partnerships, and artist development, working at the intersection of creativity, technology, and rights. His work challenges the dominant streaming-era model by advocating for systems that prioritise process over performance metrics, collaboration over competition, and long-term artist sustainability over short-term visibility. We explore how emerging artists can build stronger creative foundations, why ownership and transparency matter more than ever, and how platforms like Leep could reshape the early stages of the music-making journey globally. At its core, this conversation asks: what if the most important part of music isn’t the release — but everything that happens before it? Twitter(@LeepAudio)Instagram(@leepaudio)Tik Tok (@leepaudio)Linkedin (Leep Audio)reddit (LeepAudio)Support the show

    28 min
  6. From EMI to Independent: Rebuilding the Music Industry for Artists With Nat Cummins

    May 16

    From EMI to Independent: Rebuilding the Music Industry for Artists With Nat Cummins

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Music Industry Insights Worldwide, we sit down with Nat Cummins (she/they)  Berlin-based artist manager, music consultant, and founder of Red Tape Music. With over 15 years of experience spanning EMI Records, Ministry of Sound, and SoundCloud, Nat has worked across copyright, licensing, touring, business affairs, and artist development at every level of the industry. Now running an independent, artist-first label, Nat is challenging traditional industry structures and building a more transparent, sustainable model for emerging punk, alternative, and heavy artists. We talk about: • Why the traditional music industry model is failing independent artists • Power dynamics between labels, managers, and creators • Building sustainable careers outside the major system • Neurodiversity, queerness, and navigating the industry differently • Breaking down the business side of music in plain language Nat also runs Unlabelled, a free Substack helping artists understand the industry without the jargon. Support the show

    28 min
  7. How Emilie Thorsby Took Her Music to 15 Countries | Awards, Radio & Breakthrough Story

    May 16

    How Emilie Thorsby Took Her Music to 15 Countries | Awards, Radio & Breakthrough Story

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Emilie Thorsby, an award-winning Danish artist whose music career has rapidly grown into an international success story. Emilie has released 7 songs, with 4 receiving radio rotation across 7 stations in the USA, including interviews on NBC Radio (11 appearances). Her growing impact has also been recognised in the media, including being featured as a front story on Instagram by EGW (Elle Global Woman) Magazine (USA). Over the past few years, Emilie has built an impressive list of achievements, including: • Nominated Female Artist of the Year (2022, USA) • 4 major nominations in 2024 including Songwriter, Entertainer & Female Artist of the Year • Winner of Single of the Year 2024 for Ocean (first major music award) • Winner of Best Female Vocalist (USA) 2025 • 2025 nominations for Entertainer of the Year and Single of the Year (Darkest Night) Her music has been played across 15 countries, including the USA, UK, Scotland, Peru, Australia, Mexico, South Africa, Argentina, South Korea, Ireland, France, Italy, Canada, and New Zealand. Live performances include 21 concerts in Denmark, 3 online shows in the USA, and performances at venues including Musikhuset (Bornholm) and Esbjerg. This episode explores Emilie’s journey from local performances to global recognition, and what it really takes to build an international music career today. A must-listen for emerging artists, songwriters Support the show

    24 min
  8. The Hidden Cost of Touring: Burnout, Energy & Survival in Music | Izzy Naud

    May 15

    The Hidden Cost of Touring: Burnout, Energy & Survival in Music | Izzy Naud

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Izzy Naud, a health and performance coach specialising in electronic music artists and high-performing professionals working in high-pressure environments. With over 30 years immersed in electronic music culture and more than a decade working directly in the industry, Izzy brings a rare insider understanding of touring life, creative pressure, and the physical and mental demands placed on artists today. Her work focuses on one core mission: helping creatives and professionals build the internal capacity to sustain performance, creativity, and clarity — without burnout. Izzy integrates: • Over 25 years of practice in Tai Chi and Qi Gong • Training in Traditional Chinese Medicine • Nervous system regulation and energy management tools • Embodied practices tailored to touring and studio life In this conversation, we explore how artists can protect their health while maintaining peak performance in an industry that rarely slows down. We discuss: • Burnout in electronic music culture • The physical and mental impact of touring • Nervous system regulation for creatives • Building sustainable performance habits • Longevity in fast-paced music careers This episode is essential listening for DJs, producers, touring artists, and anyone navigating high-pressure creative industries. 🎧 If you’ve ever felt the cost of “pushing through,” this conversation offers a different path — one built on sustainability, awareness, and long-term creative health. Support the show

    28 min
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About

Harmonizing Voices: Global Perspectives on Equality & Diversity in the Music and Entertainment Industries with Saskhia Menendez & Special Guests Hosted by Saskhia Menendez, award-winning advocate and music industry leader, Music Industry Insights Worldwide dives deep into the evolving world of equality and diversity in the music and entertainment industries. Through candid conversations with special guests, including trailblazing artists, producers, and industry experts, this podcast explores the stories, struggles, and successes of those dedicated to creating a more inclusive and equitable industry. Whether you're an artist, industry professional, or music enthusiast, you’ll gain unique insights into the challenges faced by marginalized communities and how we can build a future of opportunity and representation. Alongside the podcast, Saskhia is set to release her interactive educational book (available soon), offering valuable tools, resources, and strategies to empower the next generation of artists and industry professionals. She’s also a passionate advocate for diversity and inclusion, with recognition from the Global Diversity & Inclusion Honors and a Trans Charter to help support marginalized voices in music. Join us in reshaping the global music scene, one voice at a time. Music is a universal language that transcends boundaries, connects cultures, and touches our deepest emotions. It has the power to change lives, challenge norms, and inspire social change. However, as we celebrate the incredible diversity of voices and talents within the music industry, it's essential to acknowledge that the path to equality, diversity, and inclusion has not always been harmonious. In this podcast, we aim to spotlight the stories, struggles, and successes of those working tirelessly to make the music industry a more inclusive and equitable space for all. We will delve into the experiences of artists, producers, managers, and industry professionals who are breaking barriers, pushing boundaries, and reshaping the landscape of the music world. Stay connected and be part of the change: Follow Saskhia Menendez: https://www.linkedin.com/in/misssaskhia/ Subscribe to the podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5kMWsoBQPh7Y5qgM5hgZJh Join the conversation: Share your thoughts and feedback on social media using #HarmonizingVoices #musicindustryinsightsworldwide #saskhiamenendez  So, whether you're a music enthusiast, an industry insider, or someone looking to be inspired, "Harmonizing Voices" is your guide to the evolving and ever-inspiring world of music industry equality, diversity, and inclusion. Don't forget to like, share, and hit that subscribe button!

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