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 6 of our massive look back, including insight from Alec Boateng, Isabel Garvey, Dan Chalmers and more...
ISABEL GARVEY
COO, Warner Music
How did day-to-day life at Warner change most in 2024?
“It has definitely been a year of change for our business! But our day-to-day life is still about signing and nurturing the best talent and working together to deliver success for all our artists.”
What single thing impressed you the most this year, whether at Warner or beyond?
“I’m most impressed by our amazing team, who have shown such resilience and true growth mentality through a year of change at Warner Music and in the wider industry. This has been a super year for us with stand-out releases that had a global impact from the likes of Dua Lipa, Coldplay, Fred Again.., Charli XCX, Jordan Adetunji, Bl3ss and many, many more.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Beautiful Things by Benson Boone. It’s a brilliant song, full of surprises.”
And your favourite album?
“Brat by Charli XCX. This is a powerful and clever album that has become a cultural phenomenon.”
LIZZIE DICKSON
Head of music UK, YouTube
You spoke to Music Week earlier this year about the importance of helping artists “create narratives and build worlds”. What’s the best example of this over the past 12 months?
“There are so many great examples of artists using YouTube to share their worlds, from Burna Boy’s intimate performance of African Giant as part of YouTube Music Nights, to The Cure’s recent live stream from The Troxy. Connected TVs are only going to help deepen that connection between artists and their fans in the future.”
How much conversation with artists and their teams about AI and its potential impact did you have this year?
“AI should empower human creativity, not replace it, and talking directly to artists and songwriters has been a fundamental part of our overall approach. Our Music AI Incubator is about ensuring that we are working responsibly and collaboratively with artists at every stage. We want to ensure that we are working in a way that will be valuable to creativity in the long run.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Starburster by Fontaines DC – the video is brilliant.”
And your favourite album?
“Brat by Charli XCX – because it’s an album for everyone.”
MIKE GREEK
Co-head, UK, CAA
We spoke in September about balancing environmental concerns with touring. How do you see the situation evolving in 2025?
“The industry must keep evolving and continuing to look at ways of improving its footprint. The LIVE Green clause initiative is another small step in the right direction.”
Do you have a favourite on-stage moment from this year?
“Niall Horan’s The Show Tour concert at Manchester Co-op Live arena [below] was one of many over the last 12 months. An artist at the top of his game in a state-of-the-art venue with a rapturous audience.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Hozier’s Too Sweet is just such a fantastic song and, coming 10 years after Take Me To Church, highlights his talent and longevity.”
And your favourite album?
“Billie Eilish – Hit Me Hard And Soft. It’s the album that gets played most in my household and car by my daughters and was a real grower on me!”
ALEC BOATENG
President, 0207 Def Jam
Stormzy topped the charts alongside Chase & Status on Backbone this year. How did appearing on a drum’n’bass track add an extra dimension to what he does?
“Singles-wise, it’s jokes that between his Top 5, Christmas- charting ballad song Firebabe and Backbone, he has released and charted with hip-hop, R&B, drill, and Afrobeat records, and this year has a straight-to-No.1 D&B song. It’s what makes both the British music scene, and him, great. But truth is, a banger is a banger, innit!? And a straight, undeniable fact is that no one in modern British music can bring a banger to life like Stormzy.”
Looking ahead, what are your plans for the next phase of 0207 Def Jam?
“I’m gonna try and continue to find great artists and let them be the best version of themselves and be supported. And now with even more firepower to bring them the success they deserve.”
What was your favourite song of the year and why?
“Cleo Sol – Fear When You Fly, it’s timeless and beautiful. Or, of course, Backbone in the gym is a mad ting!”
CRISTINA BEDON
Head of editorial, programming & marketing, Vevo London
Nostalgia was a key trend this year – why do you think this was?
“Nostalgia is more than just a trend – it’s an enduring cultural phenomenon. I think millennials experience nostalgia uniquely compared to other generations. We grew up during the rise of digital media, but still have a deep connection to pre-digital pop culture, which we now revisit with a sense of sentimental appreciation. Technology amplifies this, as it’s easier to revisit, share and celebrate music from previous eras.”
What was the best video of 2024?
“Eminem’s Houdini. It calls back to the Without Me video, as he interweaves past and present with comic-book-style scenes. The cameos from Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and 50 Cent evoke the era when Eminem’s crew shaped hip-hop.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Birds Of A Feather by Billie Eilish.”
And your favourite album?
“Mahmood’s Nei Letti Degli Altri – I’ve been following Mahmood since the beginning.”
MOE BAH
Co-president, 5K Records & 2K Management
Does the UK have the reputation it deserves for the new talent it produces?
“The UK has always been a respected market that influences music worldwide. This year, we’ve had records break internationally by acts such as Jordan Adetunji, Central Cee and Myles Smith. Sonically, too, we can see that some of the biggest artists worldwide are influenced by UK music and culture. Travelling to shows across Europe, Africa, Australia, you can see how tapped-in their audiences are to the UK.”
You have always taken care to bring new execs into the business – who was the rising star of 2024 in your opinion?
“Lenny George at 5K who manages 163Margs and producer Enzo Fresh. He’s a young manager with that hustling mentality who genuinely wants to learn, and I believe he will continue to build.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Fridayy’s Baddest In The Room. I love the feel-good vibe.”
And your favourite album?
“Gunna’s One Of Wun. Conceptual and motivational – no skips.”
CRAIG JENNINGS
CEO, Raw Power Management
How was 2024 for rock music?
“It’s been an amazing year. Bring Me The Horizon sold 230,000 tickets in UK arenas back in January and Sleep Token sold out two nights at The O2. [Next year’s] Bullet For My Valentine and Trivium co-headliner sold 50,000 tickets in a week and You Me At Six have sold 100,000 tickets for their tour in 2025. Live tickets are always a good marker of where we are at.”
How did label/management relationships change this year?
“In an ideal world, us putting campaigns together with artists and then blending that with the labels’ vision is how it should work. The best example is with Bring Me The Horizon and RCA. It has been the perfect partnership.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Fontaines DC’s Starburster. Edgy post-punk.”
And your favourite album?
“It’s a toss-up between Amyl And The Sniffers, Idles and Fontaines DC. Punk is in rude health.”
SAMANTHA MOY
Head of BBC Radio 6 Music
Why is it important for 6 Music to partner with the Mercury Prize?
“Because we believe in artists’ bodies of work – we are interested in the stories they are telling. It makes sense that we partner with the BPI and the Mercury Prize, who celebrate the best of what has been made over the past year. In terms of who has won recently, you can see a synergy with what 6 Music plays – English Teacher [right], Ezra Collective, Little Simz – these are artists who we’re very proud to have supported at 6 Music for many years now.”
What do you hope the support of 6 Music means to artists, whatever level they’re at?
“That we believe in them and that we share that belief with our listeners, through plays on the radio, sessions booked and spots on 6 Music stages. Our support stems from grassroots level and continues for those icons still making incredible work.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Sympathy Is A Knife by Charli XCX – it deeply resonates with the littler version of me who went to an all-girls high school.”
And your favourite album of the year?
“Brat. From a singular British artist who does things on their own terms and this time, the world has paid attention.”
DELLESSA JAMES
Senior artist relations manager, Amazon Music
Can you name the best artist campaign of 2024?
“I’m not sure if it was an artist campaign or complete comedy, but I was intrigued watching the outcome of James Blunt’s recent Back To Bedlam 20th anniversary campaign. I was hoping he would get to No.1 and change his name to Blunty McBluntface.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Kendrick Lamar – Not Like Us. I know it’s a diss track, but besides the entertainment factor, Kendrick [below] has made history with this song. It’s so cleverly put together, with smart metaphors and underlying narratives. It takes you to the club, then educates you about Black civil rights. I stayed up and watched the Amazon Music Twitch stream [back in June] and Kendrick reloaded the song several times. It put real rap and authentic lyrics back on the map.”
And your favourite album?
“FLO’s Access All Areas. They have done the UK proud.”
DAN CHALMERS
Head of music EMEA, YouTube
In what ways did the content that artists create evolve in 2024?
“This has been the year of storytelling on YouTube. We’ve found that artists are really leaning into different formats and experimenting with ways to reach their fans. There are far too many stand-out examples to list here, but some highlights are Beabadoobee releasing Shorts with Rick Rubin; Bashy filming a four-part discussion with Kano, Enny, Koby ‘Post’ Hagan and Reni Eddo-Lodge; and Pink Floyd harnessing the power of UGC and inviting fans to create animations for the anniversary of The Dark Side Of The Moon. I wouldn’t say that kind of content is expected of artists today, rather that there is already a huge appetite there for them to tell their stories. The more ways that platforms like YouTube can provide for them to creatively express themselves and connect with fans, the better.”
Is there a personal triumph from this year that you’d like to share?
“A personal highlight was our collaboration with the BRIT Awards to globally livestream the event. It’s such an important moment in the year for celebrating British music and exporting it to the world.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Lola Young – Messy.”
And your favourite album?
“The Cure – Songs Of A Lost World. Because, after 16 years, they proved they can still deliver a timeless Cure classic. We livestreamed their only full live show of 2024 in November, which was a special moment.”
ALISON HOOK
SVP, sampling & copyright infringement, UK & international, Sony Music Publishing
In October, you outlined the need for industry awareness about sample clearance. How did things change in 2024?
“There has been some improvement but unfortunately, 2024 showed that there’s a long road ahead. The industry needs to give songwriters’ rights more respect and advance action when wanting to use a sample. A lack of prior planning by the sampling party does not constitute an emergency for the sampled party.”
Name your favourite sample from last year...
“Stick With Me by The Kid Laroi. A brilliant use of Set Adrift On Memory Bliss by PM Dawn, which itself sampled True by Spandau Ballet, both highlighted in Stick With Me.”
What was your track of 2024?
“Bring It by Sean Paul, sampling Showtime Riddim by Dave Kelly.”
And your favourite album?
“Brat by Charli XCX. A fabulous collection of cutting-edge songs.”
