As founder & director of BE83 music group, Despa has negotiated worldwide distribution partnerships for the groups labels with Warner/ADA, Caroline/Universal & Sony/Orchard. From his early beginnings as a music producer/studio owner, Despa has led numerous independent label recording entities, & successfully pivoted his business into talent management & publishing. He founded legendary grime collective Stayfresh and now manages the likes of Jaykae, Dapz on the Map, Grim Sickers and Tana. The Art & Business of Music podcast is the brainchild of Emcee/Producer Jimmy Davis ak ..read more

T8PES sits down with Songwriter and Production Company director Meldra Guza. Meldra has a wealth of experience in the music business having become a household name in her native Latvia aged 15. She lived and worked in LA for some time having many of her songs placed as SYNC music for TV whilst working with platinum selling producers & songwriters. As a session musician, she has performed alongside Cee Lo Green, Dappy, and most recently for Rod Stewart at The Brit Awards. Meldra now runs production company The SongLab with husband Jonny Amos and is an educator for BIMM.    T ..read more

The Art & Business of Music podcast is the brainchild of Emcee/Producer Jimmy Davis aka T8PES and follows nearly a year of planning and preparation. The show aims to dig deep into what it means to be a creative and professional in the business of music, discussing all aspects of the industry as well as charting the career journey of each guest. The Art & Business of Music Podcast is broadcast on Brum Radio every fortnight and available to stream via all podcast platforms. Follow T8pes on Twitter @t8pesmusic ..read more

T8PES sits down with MOBO award-winning Hip Hop Artist Funky DL. Regarded as one of the most prolific and significant MC's and Producers to come out of the UK, Funky DL is globally known for consistently delivering bodies of work that display his musical and lyrical finesse. We discuss supporting Eminem & Dr Dre at their legendary Brixton Academy show, becoming proficient in his Uncle's studio as a teenager and what Nas said to him when they met.  The Art & Business of Music podcast is the brainchild of Emcee/Producer Jimmy Davis aka T8PES and follows nearly a year of planning a ..read more

T8PES sits down with female emcee and first lady of British dancehall STUSH. Bursting onto the scene in 2002 when she featured on UKG anthem 'dollar sign', Stush is widely revered as one of the most talented female emcees the country has ever seen. In this episode we discuss graduating from Brit school, collaborating with Sticky in the kitchen of a rave DJ legend, touring the world with Groove Armada, and how the music industry always has its highs and lows. The Art & Business of Music podcast is the brainchild of Emcee/Producer Jimmy Davis aka T8PES and follows nearly a year of planning ..read more

T8PES sits down with legendary UK Hip Hop emcee Malik MD7 to discuss all the ins and outs of pioneering group Moorish Delta 7, Malik's upbringing and being surrounded by influential uncles and family, the ways in which his generation paved the way for the success of today's scene, and meeting Kanye West whilst on tour with Mark Ronson. The Art & Business of Music podcast is the brainchild of Emcee/Producer Jimmy Davis aka T8PES and follows nearly a year of planning and preparation. The show aims to dig deep into what it means to be a creative and professional in the business of music, dis ..read more

In this episode T8PES sits down with founder of Birmingham's premier live promotions company Carlo Solazzo. As the figurehead of Birmingham Promoters, Carlo has been responsible for growing the reputation and brand into one of the country's leading independent live event specialists and has booked shows for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Ben Howard and Skepta. In this episode we discuss what it takes to make it in the modern music business, how you go from booking local acts to internationally recognised artists and bands, and the pitfalls of a ruthless industry.  The Art & Business of Musi ..read more

This week T8PES talks to 80's popstar Vix Perks of Fuzzbox about the fascinating story behind how Fuzzbox was formed, being the central figure and ‘sex symbol’ of the group, knocking on New Order’s dressing room door backstage at Top of the Pops, the lack of local media culture in Birmingham, and how she goes about the creative process nowadays. The Art & Business of Music podcast is the brainchild of Emcee/Producer Jimmy Davis aka T8PES and follows nearly a year of planning and preparation. The show aims to dig deep into what it means to be a creative and professional in the business of ..read more

This week T8PES talks to PR and journalism professional Lyle Bignon about the state of the live sector, Birmingham’s potential to be described as the ‘first city’, people doing good work in music in the city, they also discuss how Lyle got started in PR and journalism, and even touch on a bit of politics and business. The Art & Business of Music podcast is the brainchild of Emcee/Producer Jimmy Davis aka T8PES and follows nearly a year of planning and preparation. The show aims to dig deep into what it means to be a creative and professional in the business of music, discussing all aspect ..read more

This first episode features beat-boxing double bassist John Parker, who as one half of Leamington-Spa folk duo Nizlopi, scored a Number 1 single with the JCB song and inspired one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. The Art & Business of Music podcast is the brainchild of Emcee/Producer Jimmy Davis aka T8PES and follows nearly a year of planning and preparation. The show aims to dig deep into what it means to be a creative and professional in the business of music, discussing all aspects of the industry as well as charting the career journey of each guest. The Art & Business of M ..read more