NOISEMAKERS: THE SPRING SYNDICATE
In our latest roundup of Noisemakers, we present eight more rising professionals from different parts of the biz whose dedication and effort make their superiors look good.
This week's entrants will also find their faces in our most recent mag—a mortifying experience they can lament over gluten-free avocado toast.
Berkeley Reinhold
Lead Counsel, U.S. Festivals, Live Nation; President, Business & Law Firm of Berkeley Reinhold
A veteran tour exec, Reinhold has made her mark during the pandemic with scores of virtual events, including the enormously successful Global Citizen benefits, for which she spearheaded artist clearances and contracts. Before opening her own firm, she was lead counsel at William Morris, where she oversaw the business-affairs department for more than 15 years. She now represents major festivals like Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza (including its international franchises) and Pharrell’s Something in the Water. As if that weren’t enough, Reinhold is the subject of an Andy Warhol painting.
Ola Ali
General Manager of OTF; Manager, Lil Durk
This former D1 college football athlete already has a #1 record under his belt yet feels the best is still to come (we believe him). Ali has taken Lil Durk, who was featured on the Drake hit “Laugh Now Cry Later,” to new career heights, pulling in brand deals with FinishLine, Givenchy and Boohooman. Something of a Renaissance man, Ali built an indie label from the ground up and was Durk’s hype man, security and manager on the rapper's initial EU tour. Though the NFL was his first dream, he’s now consistently hitting pay dirt in the music biz.
Taylor Testa
Director of A&R, UMPG
Being part of the Kenny Beats team from day one has been a career highlight for Testa; from attending dance-music festivals together to working on some of the biggest artists, it’s been an experience she’ll always be thankful for. In addition to overseeing hit writers like Matt Maeson, Chelsea Cutler and Kid Harpoon at UMPG, Taylor recently inked Royal & the Serpent to her growing roster. This A&R player entered the biz as an intern on the Vans Warped Tour—and she’s thrilled that emo is back.
Ray Daniels
SVP A&R, Warner Records
Daniels never tires of watching artists and creatives fulfill their dreams. That—and collaborating with his executive friends—is one of the biggest joys of this seasoned pro’s career. When he’s not celebrating little victories with his artists, he’s working with hard hitters like NLE Choppa, 2k Baby, Toni Soleil, 11:11 and Big Homie Tyni. If he ever decides to quit the biz, look for Ray to thrive in the stand-up game.
Dante Smith
Senior Director of Digital Marketing, Capitol
Leading digital advancement for acts including Lil Baby, Toosii, Tiana Major9 and Queen Naija, Smith considers amplifying artist campaigns the most rewarding part of his career. In helping break new artists like Toosii—who dropped Thank You for Believing on 5/7 and whose gold-certified “Love Cycle” is Top 10 at Urban—and Duke Deuce, among others, Smith feels he experiences a career-defining moment every day. While interning at Epic in New York, this inveterate hustler took the megabus three times a week on a student's salary. Talk about commitment.
Brandon Epstein
Artist Manager & VP Artist Development, Work of Art Management
An early believer in TikTok’s pandemic-driven influence, Epstein was excited to watch client Mike Posner’s 11-year-old track “Please Don't Go” and WoA artist Tai Verdes’ “Stuck in the Middle” hit the #1 spot thereon. The platform also helped Trevor Daniel’s “Falling” reach #1 at Top 40 last year and boosted viral indie discoveries like badly. Epstein is now prepping for Posner’s Mount Everest climb while raising $1m for the Detroit Justice Center and rolling out debut-album launches for Verdes and YouTube star Quadeca. He credits his Peloton for keeping him sane.
Ericka Coulter
VP of A&R, Epic
It’s been a wild 2021 so far for Coulter, who’s watched Epic/Not So Fast’s GIVEON propel himself from emerging artist to breakthrough R&B star with a #5 debut for When It’s All Said and Done…Take Time. In addition to the Grammy-nominated artist, she reps up-and-comers including Lonr. and Charm La’Donna, as well as big-name acts like Rick Ross. A onetime 100- and 200-meter sprinter—cue Mooski’s “Track Star”—Coulter’s now a frontrunner as a major-label exec.
Bryan Johnson
Head of Artist & Industry Partnerships, International, Spotify
Since joining Spotify in 2013, Johnson has helped shape its relationship with the artist community on a global scale as the streamery has grown from a handful of markets to 178. Not long ago he led the global rollout of the Loud & Clear microsite—providing further transparency and clarity about music-streaming economics. Johnson also spent 20+ years as a touring and recording musician; he recently performed as My Bloody Valentine’s drummer in Creation Stories—a film about Alan McGee and Creation Records. Clearly, he's a helluva multitasker.
