Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) is proud to announce the establishment of a Hip Hop and RnB Advisory Group designed to support and celebrate opportunities for growth across the genres, effective immediately.
Comprising 19 artists and industry professionals, the group has been introduced to provide a forum to better share information, elevate issues and address priorities to provide the best path to success and cut-through for Australian Hip Hop and RnB artists.
The Hip Hop and RnB Advisory Group is:
|
Aćol Agaar Apollo (Pookie) |
Artist / Producer |
|
Adam Booth |
EMI / Calibre |
|
Ali Tomoana |
Soul Has No Tempo |
|
Austin Benjamin (Utility) |
Trackwork |
|
Ben Martin |
Island |
|
Dannielle Callaghan |
Black Music Alliance Australia |
|
Christopher Kevin |
Artist Manager / A&R |
|
Hau Latukefu |
Artist Manager |
|
Haydn Wings |
Take Flight |
|
Jelal Edmonds |
Independent Label Founder / Manager |
|
Kween G |
Artist |
|
Matthew Craig |
AUD$ |
|
Mohamed Komba (Co-Chair) |
Warner Music Group |
|
Naomi Wenitong |
Artist |
|
Nina Agzarian |
NLV Records |
|
Petrina Convey |
Artist Manager |
|
Sosefina Faumoli |
Journalist / Broadcaster / Producer |
|
Vyvienne Abla |
Vyva Entertainment |
|
Julia Robinson (Co-Chair) |
ARIA |
The membership term for the group is no longer than 24 months, and members may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Demonstrating a commitment to working with the community, the group will be co-chaired between ARIA’s own Julia Robinson, and Mohamed Komba of Warner.
ARIA CEO, Annabelle Herd, said: “Last year, ARIA began a long journey to engage more closely with the Hip Hop and RnB communities to learn how we could best support some of the most exciting new music coming out of Australia.
“This included direct consultation with a wide range of people in those communities, a series of panels and roundtables, government advocacy and events. Our aim was to listen, learn, and understand how ARIA can help to achieve better representation. This work lead to the development of a broader strategy to advocate, showcase, educate and consult for Hip Hop and RnB in Australia, of which the new Advisory Group plays a huge role. We are beyond thrilled to continue out work build better pathways to facilitate meaningful discussion and build even stronger relationships with the community. There is plenty of work left to do, and we’re very excited to get started.”
Warner Music Group A&R Consultant and Hip Hop and RnB Advisory Group Co-Chair, Mohamed Komba, said: “Over the last few years we have seen a cultural shift in the RnB and Hip Hop scene in Australia, and I feel that last year’s ARIA nominees were a great testament to how far we have come and where we are heading.”
ARIA Head of Policy and Advocacy and Hip Hop and RnB Advisory Group Co-Chair, Julia Robinson, said: “I’m thrilled to be working alongside such an incredible group of people from the Hip Hop and RnB community on deepening ARIA’s commitment and connection to the music, stories and people of these genres.”
