In an business recognized for its resilience, ingenuity and culture-shaping affect, a brand new wave of expertise is reshaping the music panorama, redefining boundaries and driving innovation. These 11 genre-bending artists, trailblazing executives and intelligent founders are proving that music is extra than simply leisure—it’s a pressure for connection, activism and wellness.
Hip-Hop Artist
The Atlanta-born, platinum-certified, Grammy-nominated artist bridges music, activism and wellness by way of his introspective lyrics and soulful performances. As one-half of dynamic hip-hop duo EarthGang, Olu has collaborated with an inventory of superstars, together with icons like J. Cole and Snoop Dogg, whereas selling environmental conservation by way of the EARTHGANG Basis. (Their constant efforts led to the town of Atlanta declaring April 27 “EarthGang Day.”)
Olu’s ardour and influence lengthen to psychological well being advocacy. He launched wellness model COMPXSS in 2024, impressed by a four-week retreat and 200-hour yoga certification in Bali. COMPXSS, in partnership with manufacturers like Nike and Soho Home, fosters wellness-grounded conversations within the hip-hop group by way of centered retreats and experimental occasions. Olu is redefining steadiness and self-care throughout the music business.
Leisure Business Government
A serial inventive entrepreneur, Davis has championed modern enterprise fashions and partnerships throughout the music business, whereas pioneering new approaches to signing and artist improvement. Davis, who started his profession as a songwriter, has held a plethora of titles, together with unbiased label president, guide and, most notably, senior vice chairman of A&R for Dolly Parton’s administration firm, CTK. He and his corporations have labored with a few of the business’s main artists, starting from Jimmy Eat World to Boyz II Males. Davis has additionally earned a fame as one of many music business’s most passionate—and efficient—mentors. Most just lately, he led 4 beforehand unsigned musicians to file offers with main labels.
Founder & CEO, Inveniem & Definitive Genuine
Mindich’s lifelong music fandom coalesced into Inveniem, an archival and curation firm that creates cutting-edge, fan-driven experiences, enhancing the connection between followers and artists. Inveniem and its client model Definitive Genuine give shoppers an existential reminder: “Your previous is your future.” They put these phrases into motion by way of preserving—and increasing—the legacies of a few of the world’s most beloved and influential artists, athletes and types.
Inveniem had been the curators behind The Metallica Black Field, a digital museum containing artifacts resembling never-before-seen movies and images, unheard audio and untold tales from the enduring rock band. Mindich and his workforce have finished comparable work for artists like Def Leppard, Bon Jovi and Naomi Judd.
Singer-Songwriter, Humanitarian, Wellness Advocate
Aiko started her profession as a backup vocalist for R&B group B2K within the early 2000s. Since then, the singer-songwriter has curated a long-standing profession that’s spawned seven Grammy Award nominations, collaborations with powerhouse artists like Kendrick Lamar and a 2024 sold-out area tour. Impressed by wellness practices resembling sound remedy, Aiko has a particular vulnerability and storytelling ingredient inside her ethereal, non secular music, which has led many followers to explain it—and her—as having a “therapeutic energy.” She’s taken that energy outdoors of music and into followers’ arms with the launch of homeopathic self-care line Jhenetics, soothing music platform Sleep Soul and therapeutic merchandise line ALLEL.
Salsa Singer
Referred to as “el Pavarotti de la Salsa,” the Puerto Rican singer has been praised and admired for his highly effective, melodic voice—and for his efforts to develop the salsa style to new audiences. Nieves’ notable profession, which spans greater than 40 years and several other genre-defining hits, contains stints in teams and as a solo artist.
The longtime performer skyrocketed into the mainstream American consciousness within the ’80s and ’90s after launching his solo profession. His rendition of ’60s basic “I Like It Like That,” launched within the late ’90s, catapulted him to industrial success with its use in promoting campaigns and a movie bearing the identical identify. As a solo artist, the Grammy nominee used his platform and experience to introduce English lyrics into his music, increasing the salsa style’s enchantment and attain to new audiences.
Unbiased Artists
The south Mississippi trio first grabbed the nation’s consideration in 2022 with a golden buzzer-approved look on America’s Acquired Expertise, the place they sang “You Can Have Him Jolene,” their trendy twist on Dolly Parton’s Nineteen Seventies hit. Parton permitted, and America adopted. (The tune has garnered greater than 8 million Spotify performs.) The group—composed of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart together with their first cousin Trea Swindle—are additionally seasoned business entrepreneurs.
As unbiased artists, they’ve largely been liable for their very own advertising and branding, securing their very own appearances and gigs. They’ve launched a full-length nation album, collaborated with manufacturers like Ford and carried out on the Grand Ole Opry, the place they obtained 4 standing ovations—all with out the backing of a serious file label. From busking on the streets of New Orleans to being named a part of CMT’s Subsequent Ladies of Nation: Class of 2025, this group is barely getting began.
Founder & CEO, Seeker Music
Regardless of being born into music royalty (his dad was Casablanca Data founder Neil Bogart), Evan Bogart has charted his personal path within the business, turning setbacks into successes. The Los Angeles native began his profession as an Interscope Data intern, the place he labored on Tupac Shakur’s first posthumous album. Whereas there, Bogart handed alongside a demo tape that helped deliver on one in every of his favourite battle rappers: Eminem.
His decades-long songwriting profession has produced huge hits for artists resembling Rihanna, Beyoncé, Becky G and Lizzo. Now, Bogart is operating his personal publishing firm, Seeker Music. However he stays centered on mentoring and guiding the following era of songwriters. He’s additionally the chair of the Songwriters & Composers Wing for the Grammy Awards, the place he helped create the Songwriter of the 12 months Award.
Singer & Philanthropist
The New York native turned rising nation singer has opened for nation stars resembling Brad Paisley, Keith City and the late Loretta Lynn (no relation). All through the previous few years, she’s carried out for hundreds of thousands internationally, due to a persistent touring schedule that’s included a 40-city European tour.
Lynn’s debut album, “Lone Rider,” jumped to the No. 1 spot on Amazon Music, making her the one unbiased artist to rank within the prime 5. She can be an influencer with almost 1,000,000 followers throughout numerous platforms, who’s utilizing her rising fame for causes closest to her coronary heart. Lynn has labored with Toys for Tots, United for the Troops and the Barbara Giordano Basis, which helps feminine veterans.
Founder & CEO, Hangout
Serial entrepreneur Perla is on a mission to make social media extra social once more—with music as the main focus. Utilizing his background in creating social networks and dealing for Meta, he cultivated a digital listening group by way of the social music platform Hangout, which launched final November.
Hangout connects audiophiles by way of music discovery and curation, utilizing its huge library of greater than 100 million songs from main file labels resembling Sony, Warner and Common. Customers can invite pals to their “hangout” throughout the platform, the place they’ll take turns in a digital DJ sales space, enjoying their favourite songs. “Our imaginative and prescient has all the time been to create a platform that celebrates the enjoyment of music but additionally helps assist the music business,” Perla mentioned forward of the platform’s launch.
Cofounders, EVA
Moreland and Stokel met as college students at Belmont College in Nashville, the place they had been immersed within the vibrant music scene, reserving every thing from massive home events to small festivals. Reserving ache factors—scattered particulars, infinite paperwork and general uncertainty—led them to create EVA, a web based market that connects occasion planners and vetted entertainers in a matter of minutes.
What began as a dorm room undertaking has develop into an inclusive answer that’s revolutionized company leisure reserving. EVA has put greater than $6 million into the pockets of musicians all through the nation, connecting greater than 2,500 artists with main company shoppers like Dell and Amazon. The corporate launched in New York Metropolis final December, increasing its affect.
This text initially appeared within the Could/June 2025 situation of SUCCESS® journal. Picture of Channing Moreland & Makenzie Stokel courtesy of Jessica Amerson.
