LAURA
MONKS Decca
As someone who played musical instruments growing up, do you support calls for improved access to music education? “Absolutely! Music and creative arts being part of school curriculums in any form is so fundamental to a meaningful education. Learning an instrument can support success in any industry, as well as potentially launching the next generation of artists. What’s happening currently is the start of some much-needed change that I plan to support in any way I can.”
Ludovico Einaudi broke records at the Royal Albert Hall this year with his six-night residency – how has he managed to cut through on platforms such as TikTok? “Ludovico’s music has always been the soundtrack to people’s lives and he has always been a hugely prevalent sync artist across film, TV and advertising. TikTok and other social platforms have been an extension of this. He has an incredibly lean-forward fanbase who attach huge meaning to his music, so the fact he tours
STEVE
continually has given some the ability to really shout about it – the posts from fans listening to his music at the Edinburgh Castle show that went viral are just one example of this.”
What was your track of 2025? “Rosalía’s Berghain – what a game changer!”
And your favourite album?
“Ólafur Arnalds & Talos: A Dawning was a stunningly beautiful project.”
SHENIECE
TILLEY Kilimanjaro Live
How did the St James’ Park shows help
define the year for Sam Fender? “They were history-making gigs, ‘tell your kids you were there’-type shows. There wasn’t a dry eye in the stadium, including me, when he played Remember My Name. I don’t think I need to say anything else about Sam’s talent and cultural impact. The pride and love of the North East in the boy from North Shields was justifiably overflowing. I’m glad the Mercury judges agreed.”
Are you encouraged by initiatives for the grassroots sector this year ? “Yes. I hope that common sense prevails in the biggest corporations and they realise that there’s a direct link between a bunch of kids playing their first gig and the ecosystem that provides them with their employees, talent and customers.”
What was your track of 2025? “Undressed by Sombr. Just great.”
And your favourite album? “Rather than an album, I want to highlight the under-represented genre of heavy metal and hard rock. It sells tickets, sells units and is forever reinventing.”
musicweek.com
CHARWAY YouTube Music
Is there an exec who wowed you in 2025
that you’d like to shout out? “Mel Rudder [plugger and Three Thirty Music founder who passed away in November]. She was so graceful, hardworking and always opened doors for so many Black women. Mel was a fighter and a big champion of mine. The industry won’t be the same without her.”
What kept you motivated most about the industry this year?
“God kept me motivated, as this year has been a tough one for music. Also, my colleagues and peers inspire me everyday and continue to show me that we are very blessed to work in this industry.”
What was your track of 2025? “Kehlani – Folded. I love the sophisticated production, Kehlani’s captivating vocal and the clever metaphorical use of folding clothes as a symbol of holding on and letting go. I just love R&B.”
And your favourite album? “Clipse’s Let God Sort Em Out was everything I hoped for and more. I also have to shout out to Odeal and Kwn, who both made stellar albums!”
LARA BAKER Spotify/Music
Week Women In Music Awards
What lesson should the
industry take away from this year? “That British talent is a force to be reckoned with! There was a lot of panic not long ago about where the next wave would come from and whether we could still have the same impact internationally – not from within Spotify, I might add! So it’s great that artists like Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Raye, Sam Fender and others are showing we’ve still got it.”
What are your reflections on this year’s edition of the Women In Music Awards? “The event is here to stay. We’re still building towards an equitable industry, and while that’s the case, these awards will shine a meaningful spotlight on incredible women in every sector.”
What was your track of 2025? “Raye’s Where Is My Husband! is 10/10, no notes. I love the tongue-in-cheek lyrical content, the brass, the vocal performance, the energy, the bit with her nan…”
And your favourite album? “Lily Allen’s (above) West End Girl. She’s always been a fantastic storyteller – and what a story!”
MICHAEL ADEX NQ
Name NQ’s best achievement this year? “This year was a real turning point for NQ. We fully stepped into our identity as a global creative company, not just a Manchester success story. From WizTheMC’s billion-stream year and the impact of Yebo, to Aitch entering the next phase of his career with huge cultural moments, and making impact with our publishing and creative services internationally… We remain keen to prove that world-class talent and world-class execution can come from anywhere.”
To what extent is the industry still London-centric?
“Structurally it is, but culture isn’t. Audience discovery, global streaming behaviour and the rise of borderless online communities mean that talent no longer needs a London postcode to break. The infrastructure investment, decision making and executive talent is still largely concentrated there but I don’t foresee that will be [the case] for long.”
What was your track of 2025? “WizTheMC’s Show Me Love showed what happens when great songwriting meets true international resonance.”
And your favourite album? “Gunna’s One Of Wun. His consistency is unmatched. The kind of album that sounds effortless, but shows real mastery. He is still shaping the sound of modern rap.”
VANESSA
BAKEWELL Meta
How do you feel the discussion around
AI moved forward in 2025? “At Meta, we have seen more engaging experiences. AI-driven recommendation systems enable people to discover more, which increases engagement. AI is also making a big difference when it comes to paid performance in marketing; scaling creative and fine-tuning campaigns.”
And how have artists used Meta to harness their fan relationships? “Artists have been leveraging WhatsApp to bring fans closer, creating a modern- day fanclub experience. They are engaging with fans in new ways through Channels and can connect with them more directly in their main feed via business messaging, right alongside their main contacts. We see fans excited to hear from their favourite artists in such a personal, authentic way. They are meeting them where they already are and making every update feel special.”
What was your track of 2025? “Fontaines DC’s It’s Amazing To Be Young. It’s my most played track this year; it’s such a wonderful, hopeful, nostalgic song.”
And your favourite album? “Rosalía’s Lux was, without a doubt, my most anticipated musical moment in recent memory. I haven’t felt this level of excitement to listen to an album in its entirety for a long time. Lux is truly a masterpiece, and an album that I know I’ll be returning to and enjoying for years to come.”
Music Week | 37
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