For the 8th of March, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day with a very special ‘8 on the 8th’ Music Manager Spotlight Series. Throughout the week we will highlight some incredible managers, here’s our chat with Kaiya Milan of Off Balance Group.

Tell us a bit about yourself!

I currently run Off Balance Group and personally manage three acts including; Steam Down, Afronaut Zu & Ahnansé. I have currently been managing for the last 6 and a half years and have worked within the music industry 8 years nearly.

What is your greatest career success to date?

My greatest career success to date would have to be keeping my artists both busy and sane during the pandemic. I think remaining grounded in the midst of chaos is something that we often overlook but the last year has taught us that adapting, being able to recenter both yourself and your acts and still standing through all this is a success in itself.

What has been the most significant challenge you’ve encountered in the industry?

The most significant challenge I have encountered in the industry has been being undervalued and overlooked due to being a young, woman of colour. Far too often does race, age and gender play a part in people’s preconceptions of your value, experience or knowledge within the music industry – and I have experienced this first hand in my journey as an artist manager.

Who gets your Women’s Day shoutout?

The person who inspires me most would have to be my mother first and foremost – thanks Mum! And the person who supports me as a professional manager most would have to be the incredible Wozzy Brewster OBE – artist manager and founder of the Midi Music Company. I have never really had an industry mentor before, but Wozzy has really taken me under her wing, and I have learned and gained so much from her unique experiences and insight.

If you could change one thing about how the music industry operates to improve the experience of women, what would it be?

If I could change one thing, it would be having more women and specifically women of colour in senior roles and positions of influence, to not only inspire the next generation but make safer and more inclusive environments for both management and talent. 

Hopes for the future?

My hopes for the future for women in the music industry would be to have more unity and sisterhood amongst us. I want us to look out for each other more, to support each other more, so we can grow and develop together.