Manager Spotlight offers a small insight into the heads of incredible managers. This week in the spotlight is Melanie Ijieh!

How long have you worked in Management? 

For about a year and a half.

Who do you manage now?

An alternative R&B artist called BINA. solely and I’m on the management teams for both Blue Lab Beats and Cassie Rytz.

Where did you find your first client and what inspired you to take them on? 

At a live event called the Ree Up Events. I had previously found her music on Soundcloud and really enjoyed the alt take on R&B she displayed. I’ve always wanted to push and enable artists  to change the musical landscape and challenge the mainstream and after a lengthy conversation with BINA. we found out that our views and aims were pretty much identically aligned. For me aligned visions are super important when finding an artist to manage because it’s a partnership at the end of the day, you both are in business with one another.

What’s a good/bad day at work look like for you?

Good day: all the artists are on top of their socials and checking their diaries to make sure they’re on time to studio sessions or appearances etc. Bad day: none of them are answering their phones.

What has been the highlight of your management career to date?

Being able to help create and fully assist on projects my artists have released and getting a premiere from the FADER.

What do you think are the big challenges for a manager in 2020?

I think the biggest challenge is maintaining the art/business balance. You have to be efficient in managing business affairs and think about business objectives like revenue, breaking even, deals but also keep a huge consideration for the art and artist – which I think you can underestimate just how difficult this can be.

What music are you currently listening to?

A lot of Griselda Records (Westside Gunn, Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine), as well as artists like Ego Ella May, Nayana IZ, Nines and Durand Bernarr.