Alternative Power 100 Music List 2021
The moment we've been waiting for is here!
Find out who made it in this year’s Alternative Power 100 Music list 2021 partnership with Patreon.
We want to say a huge thank you for all your nominations, celebrations and kind words about others, it's been so inspiring to read them all. Congratulations to everyone on the list, and everyone who received a nomination! With the challenges we've all faced this year it's important to take time to celebrate the things we've achieved and the people who inspired us.
From those architecting new ways of owning work to people building a new creative economy where the independent community can fully thrive, across 10 categories, our list is full of inspirational change makers and future thinkers from across the world. From Artist Managers to Sound Creators and forward thinking business minds we're so excited to see where you all go next!
With love, from the shesaid.so team
Achal Dhillon: CEO
“This year, Ach has founded and created The Music Federation. Offering small labels and artists a chance to release and distribute through us, whilst the music's quality remains at the forefront. With a focus on holistic and robust artist and business development for the next generation of music industry stakeholders, and largely in response to the big catalogue purchases of late predominantly taking place in the major label sector, The Music Federation is committed to pulling together a diverse range of skill sets unique to each of The Music Federation’s members.
It aims to secure the “best possible prospects and opportunities” for rights-holders, as well as accounting to its members at release-level for distribution revenues.” - Jasmine Hodge
Ashley Hall: Associate Director, Label Management, The Orchard
“As The Orchard’s Associate Director, Label Management, Ashley Hall works day to day with some of The Orchard’s biggest label clients. Ashley is a force on her team, and helps develop and execute pan-territorial release campaigns for the company’s highest priorities.
Working around the clock and in sync with labels, radio, press, management and more, Ashley has helped propel artists like Ozuna, Joyce Wrice and Cautious Clay to the top of the charts. Additional success from Ashley and her team include Cautious Clay’s Deadpan Love and Sinead Heartnett’s Ready Is Always Too Late, both landing spots on Billboard’s Current R&B Albums Charts.”- Colleen Theis
Bri Aab: Senior Director Promotions – Secretly Group
Partner, Digital and A&R – Keeled Scales
“I am nominating Bri Aab because I believe she perfectly encapsulates the theme of this year: as a young, female music industry professional, she has broken down barriers of a male-dominated industry to climb the ranks into Secretly Group senior leadership. Adding to what already seems like a 24/7 job, she saw a fertile opportunity to secure an ownership stake at Austin TX label Keeled Scales, where she's launched well-received albums from 2 rising acts: Katy Kirby & Lunar Vacation. She is an inspiration for music professionals on the front line everywhere!”- Tanya Madorsky
Jeanette Wall: North American label manager
“Jeanette Wall has spent the majority of her 8 years in the music industry empowering independent creatives and couldn't be more deserving of a spot on the Alt 100 list. She is currently the North American label head and A&R at City Slang Records where, in just a short period of time, she has diversified the roster, signing BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists (such as Kaina and Pom Pom Squad) and given them a great platform from which to release their music. She has always collaborated very closely with LGBTQ and BIPOC communities and works tremendously hard to give voices to those who often don't have one.She is great connecter and delights in introducing people - not for her gain, but to simply help those around her grow and shine.”- Laura Jones
Katie Wyn Jones: Director of Business Development
“Kate is a pioneer in the record business. She challenges, leads and provokes conversations, pushing the boundaries of what labels do on behalf of their artists. Kate is fearless and is a future thinker. She’s passionate about the people around her, about creating a better environment so that all talent can excel. Kate cares about the social issues within our business and pushes me to be a better manager, to run a better label and to create an atmosphere that promotes diversity and equality. Where Kate leads, we all follow.”- Rebecca Allen
Laura Lewis-Paul: Founder and Creative director
“Saffron records is an independent record label that has pioneered female and non binary artists for years. Their Mix Nights dj workshops have changed the lives of me and many other people who previously felt uncomfortable learning in male dominated environments and in a sexist industry. Their tech dissect workshops teach skills to broaden the range of people who work in music tech and they are just ace.”- Madeleine Wrench
Lisa Young In: Senior Manager Audience Development
“Lisa is an incredibly dedicated and passionate person who truly realises the artists vision at its core. With an unfaltering positive attitude, Lisa always adapts under pressure and comes up with solutions. Lisa is a huge advocate for anti-racism, social justice and intersectionality, which always lies at the heart of her work. She is actively contributing to change in Diversity and Equality within AWAL, as well as mentoring and consulting female artists of colour (as part of PRS foundation). Lisa deserves to be recognised for the important impact she is having on her artists and colleagues lives daily, for being consistently true to herself and always fighting the good fight.”- Helen Barrass
Mary RahmanI: Founder at Moon Projects
“Mary Rahmani is the founder of the new multidisciplinary creative agency and record label Moon Projects, a company poised to provide innovative solutions for brands and artists at the intersection of the music industry and the creator economy. Moon Projects is the first imprint under Republic that’s specifically focused around the short-form content space. During her time at TikTok, Rahmani worked closely with Lil Nas X, The Weeknd, Doja Cat, Halsey, Selena Gomez, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, Fleetwood Mac, Mariah Carey, Lizzo, and many others. Rahmani’s role was to onboard these artists to the platform, helping them to develop creative strategies and capitalize on in-app trends. But while working with A-list stars was exciting in its own way, Rahmani’s true passion lay in identifying emerging talent across the platform. She worked closely with artists like mxmtoon, Yungblud, Ashnikko, SHAED, and Claire Rosinkranz to build upon their viral moments and grow their profiles both in and outside of TikTok. With her new company, Rahmani combines her creative vision with her instinct for identifying emerging trends, artists and creators, using these tools to support brands, products and artists in the short-form vertical landscape..”- Ally Norton
Nicki Farag: General Manager at Def Jam
Executive Vice-President Nicki Farag is a 17-year veteran of Def Jam Recordings and the iconic hip-hop label’s first female Head of Promotion. She has been instrumental in breaking dozens of artists and records, notably massive radio success stories from Jay Z, Rihanna, Kanye West and Justin Bieber, she shepherded #1 singles from Alessia Cara and Logic and has had huge crossover success with YG. Farag is a strong advocate for more inclusion and representation in the music industry on all levels.
Rob Harrison: Founder
“Mental health and well-being should draw real focus in ‘The New Creative Economy’. Through his label ‘Listen Generously’ Rob doesn’t just pay lip service to these concerns he has made funding available (as part of the record deal) for artists to invest in their well being. Aside from that as a black female working in the music industry, managing a black artist. I have found that Rob takes the time to listen and understand issues that many would over look. His approach is a real asset to the industry.”- Cleo Amedume