On Mar. 13, Blue Hawk Records (BHR) and Monmouth’s Women In Music (WIM) collegiate chapter hosted the third annual Women In Music Industry panel event at Woods Theatre. The night was full of heartwarming stories, personal advice, and a sense of empowerment in what it means to be a woman.
The panel was comprised of four amazing, successful women, not just in their professional careers but in their personal lives. Those four were Erin Manuzza, the Senior Director of Digital Marketing at Atlantic Records; Lisa Robinson, the President of Adagio Music Consulting LLC; Purvi Shah, the Senior Director of Global Royalties at Vydia; and Aida Brandes-Hargrove, the President of Roy Hargrove Legacy LLC. All shared valuable advice on music industry careers, overcoming adversity, and life overall.
Even though this event celebrated Women’s History Month, the topics discussed and the story of these women don’t end when March does. As Robinson said, “I’m a woman 365 days of the year, not just during March.”
The night started with an adorable intro video featuring members of the WIM chapter and BHR, lip-syncing “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa, and PINK. It got many smiles and laughs from the audience filled with family and friends. Following that were mini interview clips of students being asked what woman in music inspires them.
The evening was hosted by Amani Adelekan, President of the WIM chapter, and Professor Rashida Scott-Cruz, who moderated the discussion and took us on the journey. They asked all sorts of career-based questions to the experts about their lives within the business. Right off the bat, the audience was captivated.
The four were asked to share a story of feeling disadvantaged being the only women in the room. Robinson, ever so passionately, replied that she doesn’t see being a woman as a disadvantage and, if anything, it pisses her off. “I don’t want you to think anything about you is a disadvantage. That’s self-sabotage, so to speak,” Robinson said.
Shah piggybacked off her comment, saying that nothing is unachievable if you approach it from a mindful and mature place.
Manuzza also commented, “It’s only a disadvantage if you let it be…You deserve that seat at the table too.” Nothing is impossible or disadvantaging if you have the love and power inside you to push past the negative forces. These women are a testament to that.
One theme in particular bled into every conversation and stuck with me from this panel. The aspect of “doing both,” being a mother while aspiring to have a successful and fulfilling career. They talked about their personal lives and how coming home to their family keeps them grounded and present with what really matters.
Robinson said that it’s not going to say “President” or “CEO” on her tombstone. She made it clear that a job title isn’t the end-all-be-all in life. It’s the title of wife, mother, daughter, and going home to the people you love that make life worthwhile.
Manuzza spoke to this as well since she’s a mother of younger kids. She talked about the balancing act and prefaced that, yes, it’s possible to “do both” but not at the exact same time. It’s hard to give a hundred percent of yourself to multiple things, and that’s not how life works.
Lucky for us women, we have the art of multitasking. When one aspect of life is troubling, you can always turn to the alternative, whether that’s personal relationships or a career.
Every single one of these women has a true passion for music, even though they all come from different sides of the business, such as marketing, legal, and administration. They gave sound advice for staying positive within their roles, like constantly reminding themselves why they love music.
Manuzza mentioned how her experience helping smaller artists develop, watching them gain a following, and reach the stardom of selling out stadiums, brings her joy.
Brandes-Hargrove, in particular, spoke about keeping her husband, Roy Hargrove’s jazz legacy alive in protecting the creativity and authenticity of the music.
Towards the end of the conversation, the group shared how the music industry could change to make it a better place for all. Robinson said, “I would wanna see the c-suites and executive teams reflex the charts–the Taylor’s [Taylor Swift], Drake’s, Beyonce’s, Kendrick’s [Kendrick Lamar]…” The diversity and creativity seen in the music masses should also be seen and heard in the big executive landscapes.
Brandes-Hargrove told the audience at Woods Theatre a story she had heard about Dolly Parton and her 1974 classic, “I Will Always Love You.” Parton was approached by none other than the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Elvis Presley, for the publishing rights of the song. Needless to say she declined and that’s how the song wound up with Whitney Houston for the 1992 film “The Bodyguard.” That’s the power of lifting women up and bringing each other along for the ride of success.
The night was closed out by three of MU’s very own talented singers, Samantha Spano, Abigail Garcia, and Amani Adelekan. Spano sang “This One’s for the Girls” by Martina McBride. The coastal cowgirl even got the audience to sing a few lines with her. Garcia sang “teenage dream” by Olivia Rodrigo, slowing it down for us with her beautiful vocals. And finally, Adelekan took us to another realm with “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” by Billie Eilish.
It takes lots of work for change and to break down the stigmas women face daily involving familial and career roles. This event was proof that change is happening all around us, even in the smallest of ways.
