Music Biz Passport
Music Biz Passport
While our annual Music Biz Conference is a tentpole event for the entire global music business, it’s important for us to directly branch out into international music communities both to learn from and connect with one another. Our Music Biz Passport event series allows U.S. executives to connect with international trendsetters and learn what does and does not work in their local music economies, to expose important cross-border collaborations that will make the global music business stronger!
NOTE: times differ from session to session | Learn more & register for FREE below
You can also view recordings of our 2025 Passport events below, or relive our entire 2024 Passport series!
Brazilian Music Market Overview
Tuesday, June 10 | 2 – 3:30 PM ET
Session 1 (2 — 2:45 PM ET) | Why Brazil Matters for Latin Music
Brazil has a vibrant homegrown music scene that puts it in the Top 10 biggest music markets worldwide. And while the main language spoken is Portuguese, Spanish speaking artists regularly top the charts in Brazil. This panel will examine Brazil’s importance in the rise of Latin Music, how the language barrier has been overcome by Spanish speaking artists, and how the cultural exchange between Brazilian and its neighbors is spawning some of the best new music in recent memory.
What the audience will learn:
– Understand brazil’s market dynamics and what makes it unique for creators
– How artists are bridging cultural barriers
– The importance of capitalizing on regional synergy
– How to leverage streaming and regional platforms to amplify and grow fan bases
Moderator
Cris Falcao, Managing Director of Label & Artist Strategy and General Manager of Latin, Virgin Music Group
Speakers
Pedro Kurtz, Head of Music, LATAM, Deezer
Marcela D’Arrochela, Partner & Commercial Director, Sua Música
Yan Hayashi, Manager, Pablo Vittar
Session 2 (2:45 — 3:30 PM ET) | Global Beats: Expanding Brazil’s Music to the World
This panel will explore strategies, challenges and success stories of Brazilian music’s internationalization, highlighting opportunities for artists, managers, and producers to expand their reach in global markets. Industry experts will share insights on navigating international collaborations, leveraging digital platforms, and overcoming legal, cultural and logistical barriers. Attendees will gain actionable tools for building cross-border partnerships, understanding key market trends, and positioning Brazilian music for global success. This session is designed to inspire and equip participants with the knowledge to effectively integrate international strategies into their own businesses.
Moderator
Arthur Deucher Figueiredo, Partner, Matten Law LLP
Speakers
Henrique Reis Andrade, GRAMMY-Winning Audio Engineer & Music Producer
Johayna El Mouallem Rodrigues, Booking Agent,UAA (Universal Attractions Agency)
Lívia Peixoto, Day-to-Day Manager, JET Management
Tapping Into the $20 Billion African Music Industry: Opportunities and Strategies
Tuesday, June 24 | 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM ET
The African music industry is a burgeoning powerhouse, with a valuation of $20 billion and a global influence that continues to grow. This session will explore how businesses, artists, and investors can harness the immense potential of Africa’s music scene to drive profitability and innovation. Attendees will leave this session with actionable strategies they can implement to tap into the African music industry’s potential. Whether you’re an artist looking to expand your reach, an entrepreneur seeking investment opportunities, or a business professional exploring new markets, this session will provide you with insights and connections to achieve your goals.
Speakers TBA
Unlocking French Opportunities in Hip-Hop: Get a Foot in the Door
Tuesday, September 9 | 2 — 3 PM ET
Coming from a range of industry perspectives, panelists will 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 will use the latest data regarding the access and consumption of music in the French industry, in the form of a presentation and case study.
Speakers TBA
The Rise of South Asian (Indian/Pakistani) Classical Music
Tuesday, October 7 | 2 — 3 PM ET
The world is changing. South Asia is rising. India has already surpassed the UK to become the 5th largest economy of the world. It is on track to be the 2nd largest by 2075 according to Goldman Sachs. The same report shared that Pakistan will be the 6th largest. India this year is on track to becoming the largest consumer of digital music in the world, surpassing the US.
Even with its limited music, South Asian classical music grew by 500% on Spotify in the last 2 years. On Saarey Music, users grew by 270% in 2023 and are paying 2.5x-10x more than what they pay for other music streaming services.
So who’s listening? Why are they listening? Why are they now driven to classical music which was once considered a dying art?
Speakers TBA
Amplifying Potential: Music Camps as Catalysts to Artist Growth
Tuesday, October 21 | 2 — 3 PM ET
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.
Speakers TBA
China Reality Check
Tuesday, November 4 | 2 — 3 PM ET
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.
Moderator
Alex Taggart, Founder & CEO, Isle Of Management
Speakers TBA
How Data Enhancement is Transforming the Japanese Music Industry from Physical to Digital
Tuesday, November 25 | 4 — 5 PM ET
This panel will explore the critical role of data in the digitalisation 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.
Speakers TBA
The Rise of Musica Mexicana: Lessons for the Global Music Industry
Tuesday, December 2 | 2 — 3 PM ET
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.
Speakers TBA
Beyond the Noise: How Data and AI Are Reshaping A&R in the Age of Streaming in Emerging Markets
Hosted April 22nd, 2025
In a music streaming market where 120,000 new tracks flood platforms like Spotify, Amazon, and Apple Music every day, A&R teams face unprecedented challenges in identifying emerging talent—particularly in the independent sector. The situation is even more pressing in emerging markets where imminent acquisitions and partnerships by major record labels in India, China, Thailand and Nigeria are adding extra competition to an already crowded space. India, with its 1.4 billion population, is at the forefront of this phenomenon. The country experienced the largest global year-on-year increase in music streams last year, rising by 463.7 billion to exceed 1 trillion streams, second only to the United States in annual streaming volume, and calling the attention of Warner Music Group’s CEO, Robert Kyncl, who said that the country has the potential to become an “increasingly influential global force in the music business.”
In this current scenario, how can independent labels and A&R teams maintain their autonomy, compete with major players, and uncover local talent, especially in booming emerging markets? How can technology, data, and AI provide the tools to filter through the noise and secure the future of independent artistry? This panel will explore how cutting-edge tools and strategies are revolutionizing the A&R process, from data-driven talent scouting to AI-powered insights. Drawing on the experience of Radio City India’s Muzartdisco app, powered by Beatchain, industry leaders will discuss the evolving role of A&R and how these tech advancements can empower labels to compete in a globalized market where emerging markets will lead the way.
CLICK HERE to access recordings of our entire 2024 slate of Passport events!