It’s time to take stock at the end of one of the busiest years the music business has seen in recent memory. Our special end of year review looks back on it all with an epic collection of reflections from some of the biggest names in the industry. Read on for part 4 of our massive look back, including insight from Joe Kentish, Safiya Lambie-Knight, Ben Katovsky and more...
JOE KENTISH
President, Warner Records & Parlophone Label Group
How do you reflect on the Dua Lipa campaign so far? Selling out Wembley Stadium must have been a pretty good feeling…
“Re-launching an artist as huge as Dua comes with a unique set of opportunities and pressures but it’s been great fun. And whilst there have been some notable highlights on the campaign so far, we know that with a world tour just starting and with someone able to turn in the spectacular performances that she can, it feels like we’re just getting started.”
How do you feel Dua moved forward as an artist and live performer this year?
“As she has said many times, Glastonbury was everything to her, so to do it in such style has given her an incredible amount of confidence. I think the shows are becoming as important to her as the music, which is a really exciting development for her as well as her fans!”
What was your track of 2024?
“Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us – I have mixed feelings about two greats [Lamar and Drake] getting so personal… But you couldn’t help laughing out loud at this one. The main disrespect was just how good the beat was. An honourable mention also goes to Tommy Richman’s Million Dollar Baby, which was groovy AF.”
And your favourite album?
“Dua Lipa aside, Les Amazones D’Afrique’s Musow Danse. I got recommended this by a blog I follow and it’s been soundtracking my recent stint of travelling. Love it.”
DUKAGJIN LIPA
Radical Management
How was your 2024, in regards to both Dua Lipa and beyond?
“Well, she kicked off by winning a BRIT and giving a stunning performance at the show (below), then delivered a No.1 album and headlined Glastonbury. She had a TV special of her Royal Albert Hall performance and started her world tour, which includes two sold-out Wembley shows. To say I’m over the moon would be an understatement! In general, it’s encouraging to see artists like Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan breaking. It was also great to see the huge interest around the Oasis tour – the demand is there for UK music if the proposition is exciting enough.”
For artists, what was the key to capturing the zeitgeist in 2024?
“Authenticity, being unique, writing exceptional songs as opposed to just good ones, using a mixture of channels like TikTok and YouTube for reach, while ensuring you spend time on your story with longer-form opportunities like podcasting. There is no room for just phoning it in at any level now.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Whatcha Doing from Dua’s new album.”
And your favourite album?
“Radical Optimism, of course!”
SHAURAV D’SILVA
CEO, 2-Tone Enterainment/Stellar Songs Publishing
You were appointed to the MMF board this year – how do you hope to help managers?
“By fostering dialogue and action around songwriter rights. As a strong advocate for the #PaySongwriters movement, I support the efforts to secure fair compensation for writers, including a per diem to cover their expenses and also a master royalty percentage. With the industry undergoing significant reform, rethinking and restructuring songwriter remuneration is crucial.”
Is remuneration what creators were most concerned about in your experience in 2024?
“Absolutely. The idea that songwriters not only are expected to work for free, but in most cases, asked to invest their own time and resources into travel and dining costs to create music that artists and labels exploit in return for no interest in the master is hard to fathom. The next generation of songwriters are very disillusioned on how they are supposed to make a living in the current climate.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Sevdaliza’s Alibi. She’s a Dutch-Iranian artist who’s been consistently putting out quality music and visuals and touring globally. We are very proud that our writer Eyelar is a part of this song and her forthcoming album.”
And your favourite album?
“Charli XCX’s Brat – it shapeshifted culture. Charli started her journey with Stellar Songs as a teenager, so seeing this album cut through on a major level internationally has been inspiring.”
ANDREA CZAPARY MARTIN
CEO, PRS For Music
How has PRS For Music helped speed up payments this year?
“The Nexus portal, which provides access to the metadata of nearly three million musical works, has seen more than 100,000 search requests to date. This year, we completed the development and testing of the new early ISWC allocation service. The service gives companies releasing new works the opportunity to search the existing works database and provide them with a provisional or preferred ISWC for inclusion in the release data. Earlier in 2024, we were able to significantly reduce admin fees for multi-territory online (MTOL), ensuring millions are paid to rightsholders in the coming years. In addition, we’ve accelerated our plans to increase the frequency of distributions to members and will be announcing major changes early next year.”
How significant have collections at this summer’s stadium shows been for PRS members?
“Early indications suggest it’s been a fantastic year for stadium tours, with the royalties collected exceeding our predictions. We have already paid out an additional 8%, year-on-year, in live royalties for stadiums and arenas.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Back On 74 by Jungle. It was released last year, but after their amazing BRIT Awards 2024 performance, this song has been ever-present in my playlists.”
And your favourite album?
“Coldplay’s Moon Music. I managed to see them live at Glastonbury this summer, which was amazing. Laura Mvula, who is part of our Members’ Council, was part of the performance. It really brought to life that we have some of the best minds working with us at PRS For Music.”
BEN KATOVSKY
CEO, Hipgnosis
You were appointed CEO this year, following the tenure of Merck Mercuriadis. How do you plan to lead Hipgnosis into a new era?
“In 2024, Hipgnosis was rarely out of the headlines, but we finish the year with a clear vision for the future and as the owner-manager of our incredible portfolio. As we move into 2025, I look forward to building partnerships across the industry and working with our songwriters and artists and my fantastic colleagues, moving Hipgnosis firmly into the next chapter in its story.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Birds Of A Feather by Billie Eilish. It’s just a hauntingly powerful song.”
And your favourite album?
“Romance by Fontaines DC. A beautiful blend of guitar, strings and vocals throughout the album.”
SAFIYA LAMBIE-KNIGHT
Head of music partnerships, Northern Europe (UK, IE & Nordics), Spotify
In May, you talked about Spotify “working every day to help more artists”. How did you do this in 2024?
“Our platform is evolving all the time, and always with the same goal in mind: increasing discovery of music. This year alone has seen us roll out new experiences like music videos, AI Playlist, Offline Backup and deeper integrations with platforms like TikTok and Instagram. All of these are designed to aid discovery, which directly leads to audience growth and revenue. We’re also really proud of our artist and playlist campaigns, including our 2024 campaign around our Fresh Finds playlist. This has enabled us to highlight many independent artists whose Spotify journey started on the playlist, culminating in an event and marketing campaign supporting and highlighting 20 key artists featured on Fresh Finds. Being able to shine a light on artists right at the start of their journeys is both important and rewarding.”
What was your favourite independent story from 2024?
“The EGA Distro story is so impressive. I really admire everything they’ve done – not just this year, but over time to develop artists and cement the success of UK rap in the independent space. Winning the Independent Record Company Of The Year at the Music Week Awards as a Black and female-owned label is testament to that and so inspiring.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Fear When You Fly by Cleo Sol. It’s so beautiful.”
And your favourite album?
“Cowboy Carter. Beyoncé is my favourite, but she truly outdid herself here. The entire campaign was brilliant.”
HELEN SMITH
CEO, IMPALA
In your opinion, just how united was the independent sector as it confronted issues such as the TikTok licensing dispute this year?
“As united as possible, in the circumstances. With that issue in particular, the problem is TikTok refusing to recognise labels’ preferences to deal collectively through Merlin.”
What has the reaction been to the PIAS acquisition by Universal Music Group?
“It’s great to see the work of PIAS being recognised, but there are concerns about increased concentration. We need to collaborate on growing the next generation of independents.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Dark Side Of The Sun by José James and Baloji.”
And your favourite album?
“Dance, No One’s Watching by Ezra Collective.”
PETER LEATHEM
CEO, PPL
How will the government’s reform of public performance rights for foreign artists impact the market?
“While the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) consulted on a range of possible changes to the qualification rules for the rights administered by PPL, the outcome is relatively limited. There will be an additional route to qualification for performers to receive equitable remuneration from PPL, but the IPO did not go so far as to increase performer qualification so that all US performers would automatically qualify for equitable remuneration. We anticipate that the change will increase the amounts payable to US and other foreign performers, but not to the same extent as if they qualified by virtue of their nationality. Performers from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore also will become entitled to equitable remuneration.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Dua Lipa – Training Season, which I saw her open the Grammys with back in February.”
And your favourite album?
“Mountain Music by Nina Nesbitt, who I saw at the Scala.”
IAN DUTT
President, UK, The Orchard
What will Raye’s multiple Grammy nominations mean for her as a global career artist?
“The Grammy nominations for Raye are further testament to her hard work and global growth. All recognition of this nature is very welcome and provides further foundations on which we can help build further global success.”
How is The Orchard leading the way in embracing new technology and platforms to engage with fans?
“The artist and fan relationship is essential to our growth strategy. Central to that is developing new technology for fan engagement at all levels, from casual to superfan, which is front and centre of all of our client conversations.”
What was your track of 2024?
“This is pretty straightforward for me – I’ve listened more to Kendrick Lamar’s Not Like Us than anything else.”
And your favourite album?
“There is no doubting the quality of Fontaines DC, Charli XCX, Tyler, The Creator or Wunderhorse, but I think
I’ll go with Nilüfer Yanya’s My Method Actor.”
LIZ JEFFERY
VP, people & experience, Sony Music UK
How do you reflect on Sony winning the DE&I Initiative Award for its groundbreaking childcare policy at the Women In Music Awards back in October?
“It’s been positive to see how many companies have reached out to us to find out more about our scheme. We’ve produced a ‘how to’ guide for anyone looking to bring a policy like ours into their business and welcome companies proactively looking to find out more. It’s also great to see that working parents will now be able to access 15 hours of government funded early education for children aged nine months or older.”
What was your track of 2024?
“It’s a tie between Forget About Us by Perrie and Angel Of My Dreams by Jade. They’ve both been highlights of my year.”
And your favourite album?
“Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé – perfection!”
SHENIECE CHARWAY
Head of Black music, EMEA, YouTube
Did the UK music industry shine a light on enough new talent across the whole business in 2024?
“A big priority for YouTube was showing up for the next generation of talent. From Power Up and the MMF Accelerator programmes to YouTube’s Legacy, Foundry and Future Insiders initiatives, we’ve been able to level up skills and opportunities, launch careers and empower underrepresented groups.”
What was the biggest lesson you learned this year?
“It’s so important to reflect on all your achievements and why you do what you do. I had to take six weeks off work and it really reminded me that having a work-life balance is so important.”
What was your track of 2024?
“The two songs I’ve had on repeat are Rema’s Ozeba and Madison Ryann Ward’s Amen. Two completely different songs!”
And your favourite album?
“Bashy – Being Poor Is Expensive. What an incredible piece of art.”
RICHARD DAVIES
CEO, Twickets
What lessons should the live sector take away from the Oasis on-sale this year?
“The key lesson here is transparency. It’s important that fans are aware of what they’re paying before they begin the primary purchase as it only leads to anger and frustration otherwise.”
How do debates about affordability affect the secondary market?
“Twickets gives buyers a second chance at purchasing tickets at a fair price, capped at face value, but also enables people no longer able to attend the ability to move their ticket on to another fan. The reasons for needing to sell are varied, but an important one is where the seller is in need of reimbursement. The cost of living crisis we’ve witnessed has led to a sharp increase in listings on our platform.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Oslo Twins – Sally. The best new band in the UK right now.”
And your favourite album?
“The Cure’s Songs Of A Lost World. As good as they’ve ever been.”
