During the Music Week Women In Music Awards 2026, we inducted a host of trailblazing industry executives into the Roll Of Honour, in association with Live Nation Women.
They join a huge list of previous honourees, including some of the leading names from across the business like Kanya King, Emma Banks, Charisse Beaumont, Rebecca Allen, Stacey Tang, Laura Monks, Shani Gonzales and Mary Anne Hobbs, who have been selected since the awards began in 2014. The Roll Of Honour aims to shine a spotlight on the variety of individuals who are leading the charge in the music industry and consistently using their platforms to support women, or focus on empowerment and gender disparity.
Following the Women In Music Awards ceremony, Music Week is running Q&A interviews with all of this year’s Roll Of Honour inductees.
Cookie Pryce is a respected music industry executive, speaker, mentor and former recording artist whose career has spanned more than three decades. She has moved from the forefront of British hip-hop up to senior roles across the international music business.
Pryce first made her mark as one half of The Cookie Crew, one of the pioneering ’80s female rap groups to emerge from the UK. During the group’s career, Pryce recorded and collaborated with artists including Roy Ayers, Edwin Starr, Gang Starr, Stetsasonic, Black Sheep, Danny D and The Beatmasters, while sharing stages with Public Enemy, De La Soul and, Guy, and supported Bobby Brown at Wembley Arena in 1989.
Following her recording career, Pryce successfully moved from artist to executive, bringing with her a rare understanding of the industry from both sides. Over the years, she has built extensive experience across marketing, PR, promotions, sponsorship, brand partnerships, events, and artist development, working both in-house and independently in the UK and US.
Her executive career has included: roles at MCA/Universal Music, where she worked across press and club promotions; Atlantic Records as marketing manager, and at AEG/The O2 in events marketing. Her international experience has also included consultancy and marketing roles with TimeZone International/Chew Entertainment, Koch Entertainment/In The Paint Records, SMC Recordings and Strange Music Inc. in the US.
Across MCA/Universal and Atlantic, Pryce led and contributed to UK PR and marketing campaigns for an extraordinary roster of artists including Mary J. Blige, Black Eyed Peas, Erykah Badu, The Roots, Blackstreet, Mya, Missy Elliott, Lil’ Kim, Skye Edwards, Lupe Fiasco, Tweet, Twista, Pretty Ricky, and Brandy. As an independent consultant, she later brought her international PR and marketing expertise to campaigns for artists including Eve, KRS-One, RZA, Raekwon, Fredro Starr, Tech N9ne, Krizz Kaliko and Grand Puba.
Today, Pryce is in her thirteenth year at The Orchard, where she serves as director, relationship manager, supporting a diverse roster of labels and rights holders across the global music ecosystem. Her journey from recording artist to senior executive gives her a distinctive perspective on artist development, partnership, and the importance of building sustainable, long-term careers.
Alongside her executive work, Pryce has remained committed to giving back to the industry that has defined so much of her life. A respected speaker and mentor, she regularly contributes to industry conversations around music marketing, the evolution of the business and equity within Black music, while championing and supporting the next generation of artists and music executives.
Her contribution has been recognised throughout her career. Pryce was named an honouree on the Alternative Power 100 Music List in 2019 and received the Pioneer Award at the Artist & Manager Awards in 2023. In 2024, the enduring legacy of The Cookie Crew was celebrated with Pick Up On This, a 4CD anthology documenting the group’s contribution to UK hip-hop. Their iconic performance outfits are now part of The Music Is Black: A British Story exhibition at the V&A East (running until January 2027), introducing their story to a new generation.
From breaking ground as a young Black British woman in hip-hop, to helping shape and support the careers and businesses of others behind the scenes, Pryce has devoted her working life to music. Her career is one of evolution, resilience and service, not only building an enduring legacy of her own, but consistently using her experience, knowledge and platform to help create opportunities for those coming behind her.
How do you feel about joining the Roll Of Honour?
“It's a genuine career highlight. Having spent more than four decades in and around the music industry as a fan, an artist, an entrepreneur, a consultant and an executive, it's incredibly rewarding to be recognised alongside so many inspiring women who have helped shape our business. When I started my career in the 1980s, there were very few women – and even fewer Black women – occupying visible positions within the music industry. To have navigated the transition from artist to music executive, and to have built a career, makes this recognition particularly meaningful.
"What makes the Roll Of Honour so special is that it celebrates not only individual achievement, but also the impact we have on others. I have been passionate about opening doors, sharing knowledge, mentoring emerging talent and helping artists and labels realise their potential. Knowing that those contributions are valued by my peers is incredibly humbling. I hope my journey demonstrates that careers in music can evolve in unexpected ways, and that experience gained onstage can be just as valuable in the boardroom. I am proud of what I have achieved, grateful to everyone who has supported me along the way, and I’m excited to continue contributing to an industry that has given me so much.”
Looking back, how do you reflect on your early years getting into the industry?
“I'm always reflecting. I remember a time filled with excitement, determination and a lot of learning on the job. I entered the industry at a time when there were very few women, and only a handful making their mark in hip-hop. I was young, ambitious and passionate about music, but I also had to be resilient and work quadruply hard to be taken seriously. Those early years gave me opportunities I could never have imagined. From recording and touring to sharing stages with some of the biggest artists of the era, I gained first-hand experience of the power of music and how it connected people across cultures and borders. It was an incredible period of growth, both personally and professionally, and it laid the foundation for everything that followed.
"What stands out most is how much the industry has evolved. Back then, pathways into the business for women of colour did not exist. There was less visibility for women in leadership roles and limited representation at decision-making level. While challenges certainly remain, it's encouraging to see a more diverse and inclusive industry emerging today. I feel proud of what was achieved and grateful for the lessons those years taught me. They instilled a strong work ethic, adaptability and a belief that it's possible to reinvent yourself. Those experiences not only shaped me as an artist but also prepared me for my transition into the business side of music where I've been fortunate to build a second career supporting artists, labels and creative entrepreneurs.”
Did you have a mentor at that stage?
“I wouldn't say I had one specific mentor. Mentorship wasn't really a buzzword back then. Instead, I've been fortunate to have several people guide and influence me throughout my career, whether through the incredible management we had, close-knit friendship groups, or trusted industry professionals, both old and new. I've learned something valuable from all of them. Combined with a healthy dose of common sense and logic, their advice, support and experience helped shape the way I approached both my career and the industry. But, if I had to name-check someone who truly advocated for me, that would have to be the incomparable Vivian Scott-Chew of Timezone International/Power 2 Inspire/Chew Entertainment. I cannot explain how much this woman did for me and for my confidence as an ex-artist and as a Black British woman entering the executive side of the music business. She taught me how to put on my own life jacket and oxygen mask: to believe in myself, take responsibility for my own journey and recognise that I belonged. She never gave me excuses or allowed me to make them. She took me under her wing, introduced me to everyone and made sure I understood that I had every right to be there. She opened my eyes to possibilities I hadn't been able to see for myself at a point in my career when self-doubt and imposter syndrome had firmly taken hold. Her belief in me helped restore my confidence and gave me the courage to move forward with renewed conviction. That's something I've carried with me ever since, and for that I will always be incredibly grateful.
"What I value most is having people I can trust to give honest advice, challenge my thinking and offer different perspectives. Those relationships have been key in helping me navigate the various stages of my career. As I evolved, I realised how important it is to pay that support forward. The music industry isn't always easy to navigate, so I'm passionate about sharing my experiences and supporting others, just as people supported and encouraged me at key moments throughout my own journey. I’m lucky to have the most amazing support network of women and men in my circles. You all know who you are (MM).”
You paved the way in Black British female rap duo, The Cookie Crew, in the 1980s. What do you remember about that time?
“It was an incredibly exciting time, not just for The Cookie Crew, but for hip-hop as a whole. We were part of a movement that was still finding its feet in the UK, and there was a real sense that we were creating something new. As two young Black women (proud children of immigrants from Jamaica and Barbados), stepping into a genre that was largely male dominated, we didn't spend much time thinking about barriers. We were simply focused on making great music, performing and proving that we belonged. What I remember the most is the energy and optimism. Every opportunity felt significant, whether it was recording in the studio, appearing on television, touring, or sharing stages with artists we admired. There was a real sense of community within the culture, and we were fortunate to experience hip-hop during a period when it was evolving from an underground movement into a global phenomenon.
"Of course, looking back now, I appreciate just how groundbreaking that period was. There were very few female voices being represented in rap music at the time and, without really setting out to do so, we became role models for other young women who could see themselves reflected in what we were doing and saying. That's something I'm immensely proud of. What makes me smile today is seeing how far the genre has come and the incredible success of the women who have followed. If The Cookie Crew helped open a few doors and demonstrated that Black British women had a place in hip-hop, or any genre, then that's a legacy I'll always cherish.”
How did life as an artist arm you for where you are now? It must be quite a gift to be able to see things from an artist perspective?
“Absolutely – it's a gift that keeps giving! Having been an artist first gives me a perspective that I draw upon every day in my role as a music industry executive. I've sat on both sides of the table, so I understand not only the commercial realities of the business, but also the hopes, pressures and vulnerabilities that artists experience. And in the age of social media, the vulnerabilities are so exposed. As an artist, I learned resilience, and the importance of building genuine relationships and retaining them. I experienced the excitement of releasing music, performing live and connecting with audiences, but I also learned how challenging the industry can be. Those experiences taught me to navigate uncertainty, manage expectations and keep moving forward when things don't go to plan.
"Today, that artist perspective helps me build stronger, more empathetic relationships with anyone I work with. I understand that behind every release is a creative vision, a personal story and often years of hard work. It enables me to have more meaningful conversations, offer practical guidance and advocate for solutions that balance artistic ambitions with commercial objectives. It’s a real advantage to have lived both experiences. It taught me how music feels. Working on the business side taught me how the industry works. Bringing those two perspectives together allows me to bridge the gap between creativity and commerce, helping artists and labels navigate an increasingly complex landscape while keeping the music and the people behind it at the centre of the conversation.”
Don't wait for someone to give you permission to belong in the room, get in there, learn, contribute and make your voice heard
Cookie Pryce, The Orchard
Why were you drawn to getting under the bonnet of the music industry in the first place?
“My curiosity was the biggest driver. I became fascinated by everything that happened behind the scenes: the relationships, the marketing, the promotions, the deals, the partnerships and, ultimately, what makes a record connect with an audience. We were very hands-on in every aspect of our career and made sure our voices were heard when decisions were being made about our career. Even at that young age, we understood the importance of having a say in how our music was represented and marketed.
"After my time with The Cookie Crew, I realised that I didn't want to walk away from music. Some friends and I set up a promotions company with the help of The Princes Trust. I was instrumental in putting on club nights and events, securing sponsorship and brand partnerships, and that really opened my eyes to the business opportunities around music. I discovered that there was a whole ecosystem behind everything – not only the artist and records – and I wanted to understand how all the pieces fitted together. I didn't limit myself. I was also drawn to the fact that the industry was constantly shifting. I’ve always enjoyed problem-solving and connecting people and ideas, so moving into the business side felt like a natural progression. I wanted to get under the bonnet and understand what makes the engine run. Looking back, I don't think I consciously thought of it as a career pivot at the time. It was more about following my passion and staying close to something I loved. That has stayed with me throughout my career and continues to be one of the things I enjoy most about working in music.”
Taking stock of where things are in 2026, how do you feel about progress in DE&I in the industry? What could be better?
“There has been meaningful progress in DE&I across the music industry, particularly in terms of representation, visibility and the conversations we're now able to have openly. When I started out, the landscape was very different, so I do recognise and celebrate how far we've come. That said, it doesn't mean the industry should take its foot off the gas. There's always room for improvement. Representation needs to translate into genuine access to opportunities, decision-making roles and leadership positions, not simply visibility. It's important that diversity and equity is reflected at every level of the industry – from the boardroom, through to the teams developing artists and shaping campaigns.
"I also think we need to continue investing in the next generation: creating opportunities, mentoring, sharing knowledge and making sure people from underrepresented backgrounds can see a clear pathway into the industry. It's not enough to open the door; we need to ensure people have the support and opportunities to progress once they're through it. For me, DE&I shouldn't be treated as a moment, a trend or a box-ticking exercise. It needs to be embedded into the culture and the way businesses operate. We've made progress, but the work isn't finished. We all have a role to play in making the industry more representative, equitable and inclusive for the generations coming through.”
What’s your biggest achievement so far?
“Other than staying power? I don’t know! Sometimes I genuinely ask myself, ‘Why am I still here?’ But I think that staying power is a superpower. I’ve had quite an unconventional journey, starting out as an artist and then reinventing myself several times by moving through various areas of the business and ultimately landing at label management and digital distribution. To have remained relevant and continued to thrive through all those changes is something I’m genuinely proud of. But if I had to pinpoint one achievement, it would probably be the career I've built beyond being an artist. I didn't have a blueprint for that transition. I had to learn, adapt and prove myself in rooms where I wasn't always seen as the obvious person to be there. Even when I was, there were times when I was made to feel that I wasn't good enough or wasn't the right person, and my abilities were questioned. Yet the results consistently spoke for themselves, not only through my own career progression, but through the success, growth and opportunities I helped create for others.
"There were certainly moments that made me think, ‘Mmmhhh, okay.’ But rather than allowing those experiences to define me, I used them as fuel. I took everything I’d learned and channelled it into building something positive for myself, while staying connected to the music I love. I didn’t just transition from being an artist into the business side of music, I built a whole new career for myself, on my own terms. I basically just kept it moving. I’m particularly proud that I’ve been able to build relationships and credibility across different generations of the industry. I’ve worked with artists, labels, brands and executives at very different stages of my career, and the fact that people continue to trust me, and value my perspective is one of the greatest compliments I could receive.
"And then there’s the legacy side of it. Seeing The Cookie Crew’s contribution recognised decades later, including our music and performance history being revisited and celebrated, is incredibly special. To know that something you created nearly 40 years ago still has relevance today, and that it has helped inspire or pave the way for others is a huge achievement. The achievement isn't one record, campaign or job title. It's the fact that I’m still here, still learning, still curious, still contributing and still finding ways to reinvent myself.”
Can you give some advice to young women about enjoying a successful career in music?
“Believe in yourself, know your worth and don't be afraid to take up space. The music industry can be incredibly exciting, but it can also be daunting and extremely challenging, and there will be moments when you question yourself. Don't let other people's perceptions define what you believe you're capable of. Learn as much as you can about the whole industry, not just the part you're working in. Understand the business, understand the money, understand the relationships. Knowledge gives you confidence and allows you to make better decisions. Build genuine relationships and surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed. Some of the most valuable advice and guidance I’ve received throughout my career has come through friendships and relationships with industry professionals rather than organised mentorship initiatives. Your network is important, but authenticity is even more important. People remember how you make them feel, whether they can trust you, and whether you genuinely care about the relationship. It’s never just been about who you know, but about how you show up for people – and for yourself.
"I'd also say don't be afraid to reinvent yourself. You don't have to have your entire career mapped out when you're starting. Follow your curiosity, recognise your transferable skills and be open to opportunities that may take you somewhere you hadn't anticipated. Enjoy the journey. It's easy to become so focused on the next goal that you forget to appreciate where you are. Celebrate your wins, learn from the setbacks, protect your reputation and your peace, and don't be afraid to walk away from situations that don't respect your value. Remember that there is room for you. Don't wait for someone to give you permission to belong in the room, get in there, learn, contribute and make your voice heard. And when you get there, reach back and bring somebody else with you. And ladies, ask questions. If you see someone you’d like to speak to, someone whose experience you admire or whose work interests you, have the courage to make that approach. You never know where that conversation might lead. And to the women being approached, be welcoming. We can sometimes be perceived differently simply because we are women, and the industry can make us feel that we need to have our barriers up or be guarded. Sometimes, being open, approachable and willing to share your experience can make all the difference to someone coming up behind you. We’ve all had people who opened doors for us, so let’s make sure we continue to open them for the women coming through.”
And what is the best advice you’ve ever had?
“I'm quite good and giving myself advice! The music industry is a small world, and it's even smaller when you've been in it for as long as I have. People move around, careers evolve and you never know who you might end up working with again. So, I never burn bridges. It's a pointless exercise. I've always treated people with respect, even when circumstances haven't gone my way. You don't have to agree with everyone, and you certainly don't have to accept everything, but you can still conduct yourself with integrity and leave a situation with your reputation intact. The industry has changed beyond recognition since I started, and I think one of the reasons I've been able to stay relevant is that I've never assumed I know everything. I'm always asking questions, listening to younger people coming through and trying to understand what's happening next. I love the young people I work with; they are all incredible and bring purpose to my working day. Learn to trust your instincts. There have been plenty of moments in my career when I've had to make decisions without having all the answers. Sometimes your gut tells you something before your head has caught up. I've learned to listen to that voice.”
Is there a young woman you'd like to shout out who you think is a rising star in the industry?
“I’d love to shout out Olivia Neil-Trenchfield, national radio and TV plugger at Plugged In, (ex-promotions manager at Sony). She’s an amazing young woman who I think has a bright future ahead of her in the industry. What impresses me about Olivia is her passion, intelligence and the way she approaches her work. She’s curious, switched on and genuinely wants to understand the business, rather than simply be part of it. She has a great energy about her, and she understands the value of building relationships and learning from the people around her. She represents the kind of young talent we need coming through: ambitious but grounded, confident but willing to listen, and with a real understanding of the importance of collaboration. I’m excited to see where Olivia takes her career. She’s one to watch, and I have no reservation about endorsing her. Watch this space!”
Finally, what’s your biggest lesson from 2026 so far?
“Just when I think I understand the industry, it changes again. Technology, platforms, business models and the way people consume music are constantly shifting, so I must remain curious, adaptable and open to learning because it's a minefield out there.
"I've also been reminded that experience really does matter. Having worked in this industry for many years, I've witnessed enormous change, and I've learned that you don't necessarily have to compete with every new development. Instead, you need to understand it, embrace what is useful and apply your knowledge and perspective. I also feel incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by some of the most talented, inspiring and driven people in the music industry, particularly the women of The Orchard, globally. Their support, expertise and leadership have not only shaped my career but continue to challenge, motivate and inspire me.
"On a more personal level, 2026 has reminded me to appreciate my evolution. Sometimes I'm so focused on what still needs to be done that I forget to look back at how far I've come. From being a young recording artist to building a second career on the business side of music, it has been an incredible voyage, and I'm still here. I've never deviated from who I am, even when times have been challenging, and I've never felt the need to dilute my values or compromise what I stand for. There’s always another chapter waiting to be written. As for whether there’ll ever be an epilogue… that story is still unfolding. I dedicate this anthem to all inductees past, present and future: Bless The Ladies!”
