December 2, 2025 – The Rise of Musica Mexicana: Lessons for the Global Music Industry
Música Mexicana has grown from a regional movement to a global phenomenon over the last few years. From Peso Pluma — whose album ÉXODO became the highest first-day streamed album on Apple Music — through to Luis Conriques and Natanael Cano; all have pushed the genre to break cultural boundaries; dominating playlists globally. This rise in popularity is more than just the success story of a single genre, it’s a blueprint for helping artists of any genre transcend boundaries and grow their audiences. Join leaders in the genre from across the industry as they discuss why the global music industry should take note from the rapid growth of Musica Mexicana and how it can serve as a roadmap for all artists.
November 25, 2025 – How Data Enhancement is Transforming the Japanese Music Industry from Physical to Digital
This panel will explore the critical role of data in the digitalization of the Japanese music industry, and how accurate, comprehensive and well-managed metadata can unlock new revenue streams, improve discoverability and drive international growth. The discussion will highlight actionable strategies tailored to Japan’s unique needs. Industry experts will provide practical examples – such as language barriers, rights management and platform inconsistencies – and practical solutions, demonstrating how shared knowledge can strengthen Japan’s music industry in the global digital landscape. Attendees will gain insights into the latest data technology tools used in Japan, strategies for overcoming common challenges, and use cases of metadata issues encountered in the Japanese music ecosystem.
November 4, 2025 – China Reality Check
China is the world’s 5th largest music market, and it’s never out of the headlines – but what does that actually mean for your business? If you’re an artist, manager, label, publisher or agent, and you’re curious about the Chinese market but unsure where to start (or even whether it’s worth trying), this is the session for you. Do you need to go all-in to have a chance of success? Are royalties even a thing? How to find partners you can trust? Is it even worth the hassle in the first place? We’ll hear from experienced panelists sharing their perspective on the Chinese market, discuss opportunities and pitfalls, and shed some light on one of the music industry’s hottest yet least understood topics.
October 21, 2025 – Amplifying Potential: Music Camps as Catalysts to Artist Growth
Music camps have become a staple for artists across multiple genres, but what truly makes them successful? This panel explores the transformative impact of collaborative music camps, highlighting their role as essential launchpads for artistic growth. Featuring perspectives from both seasoned and emerging talent across diverse genres — including Latin and non-Latin influences — these camps go beyond being creative hubs. They act as powerful catalysts for innovation, career development, and cultural exchange, blending unique musical styles to engage distinct audiences and enrich the global music scene.
September 9, 2025 – Unlocking French Opportunities in Hip-Hop: Get a Foot in the Door
Coming from a range of industry perspectives, panelists explore the unique French music industry model, detailing the world’s second biggest Hip-Hop market, business opportunities in a key European market, and a music scene that has seen its artists become worldwide stars post-Olympics. This panel uses the latest data regarding the access and consumption of music in the French industry, in the form of a presentation and case study.
June 10, 2025 – Brazilian Music Market Overview
This special, two-part Passport session dissects the Brazilian music market — Part 1 covers the role Brazil plays in the rise of Latin Music, the country’s unique market dynamics, how Spanish-speaking artists have overcome cultural barriers, and cultural exchanges with the country’s neighbors! Part 2 explores strategies, challenges and success stories of Brazilian music’s internationalization, highlighting opportunities for artists, managers and producers to expand their reach in global markets.
April 22, 2025 – Beyond the Noise: How Data and AI Are Reshaping A&R in the Age of Streaming in Emerging Markets
In our first Passport event of 2025, panelists from global music companies discussed how indie labels and A&R teams in emerging markets like India, China, Thailand and Nigeria can maintain their autonomy, compete with major players, and uncover local talent. This event also explores how cutting-edge tools and strategies are revolutionizing the A&R process, from data-driven talent scouting to AI-powered insights.
December 3, 2024 – Lessons From Abroad: What the Move to Regulate Streaming Services Means for the Music Industry
In this panel, industry experts discuss the real & potential ripple effects of recent decisions around regulating music streaming services, the challenges that lie ahead, and how the music sector and governments can chart a path for growth and sustainability for today’s largely streaming driven marketplace that reflects how music is made and how artists reach their fans around the world.
October 8, 2024 – WANA – the Fastest Growing Music Market in the World
EMPIRE’s Head of WANA, Suhel Nafar discusses the trends opportunities and challenges for music in West Asia and North African with Nina Zidani of Levantine Music. Key topics include market trends, digitizing the region, and glocalization (global-local mentality).
September 24, 2024 – Afrobeats: The Blueprint for Music Globalization
With an unfettered ability to transcend borders while maintaining the authenticity of its distinctive sound, Afrobeats has become one of the fastest growing music genres in the world. The feel-good genre, responsible for some of the decade’s biggest hits, has proven the power of creative authenticity as a means to resonate with audiences worldwide. Led by industry experts, this panel will unravel the dynamic relationship between Afrobeats and creative globalization, showcasing the importance of collaboration and technology as a template for lasting influence.
