Page 124 - Powerlist 2019 - Digital Edition

Grace Ladoja Music Week gave girl-cum-mogul’,
Founder of Metallic Inc, Grace a Rising Star is the co-founder
Creative Director, award at the Music of Homecoming, a
Homecoming Week Women in Music three-day Lagos-
Credited as the woman who has Awards. That same year based mini festival,
helped shape music artist Skepta’s she was awarded an MBE featuring the best of
career transformation from UK in the Queen’s New Year Nigeria and UK-based
grime sensation to one of the most Honours list. talent, with past events
celebrated music artists in the country, As the creative director of the Nike featuring the likes of Wizkid, J-Hus,
Grace Ladoja MBE is certainly a name for Super Eagles (football and lifestyle Not3s, Tiwa Savage, Wavy the Creator
to watch. kit) Campaign, Grace spearheaded and Skepta.
As well as managing Skepta, Grace the kit launch in London, which saw She says: “With Homecoming, I
also counts rising R&B pop singer- the merchandise receive 3million pre- was in London listening to music on
songwriter Mabel (Neneh Cherry’s orders and the kit sell out in minutes. the radio and there were all these
daughter) as another client, from More recently she oversaw Skepta’s Afrobeat-inspired songs and all of
her Metallic Management Inc. stable. SKAir Campaign in Paris, and Wizkid’s these guys that to me maybe had
She also worked with FKA Twigs, Made in Lagos merchandise launch. never been to Nigeria and I said to
directing some of her early videos. In Grace, who has been described myself, how amazing would it be if
2017, leading industry music magazine by Vogue.com as a ‘London It there was an exchange there?”

Austin Daboh
Head of Shows and
Editorial UK, Spotify
Austin has been a force in the
British urban music industry for
well over a decade and has been
a key part of its rise as one of the
most exciting and recognised
scenes globally.
He started his professional
career at the BBC in 2005 at Radio
Gbemi Okunlola 4 and later Radio Five Live, as a Hayley Mulenda
Fashion designer, Media Planner, and then moved International Speaker, Author
Creative Director, Alo’Nuko to BBC 1Xtra where he worked as After experiencing a mental health
Gbemi is the creative director of a Music Programmer. He left in breakdown and suicidal thoughts in
her own design company Alo’Nuko 2011 to work on his own venture university, Hayley was on the verge
and is Britain’s youngest bridal The Hub Entertainment, a music of ending her life, until one day she
wear designer. Gbemi first came production, specialist radio and realised she had a responsibility
to the public’s attention when talent company, working with the to get out of ‘the darkness’, so she
she appeared on BBC1’s Young likes of Radio personality Twin B could help the thousands of young
Apprentice in 2011 as a 16-year-old and Mac Miller. people who were experiencing
student who had already launched In 2016 he was snapped up by similar thoughts and feelings.
her own clothing line and was music streaming giant Spotify, Now, aged just 20, Hayley
involved in both the designing and coming on board to head up the conducts talks and workshops to
the making of the clothes. day-to-day operations in London open the conversation regarding
It was while working on her as Senior Editor, overseeing mental health and highlighting
sister’s wedding dress that she the curation of the company’s possible solutions. She works with
realised the passion she had black music playlists. He now corporates, schools, councils and
for fashion, art and garment manages the strategic growth and young people to tackle issues to do
construction. development of Spotify’s Shows with mental wellbeing.
In 2015 she decided to launch and Editorial initiatives in the UK. Her book The ABCs To Student
her bridal collection and funded Success highlights her experiences
the project through a kick-start and uses the alphabet to teach
fundraiser, securing £15,000 from young people how to deal with life
members of the public and fans of lessons, and how to turn a setback
her work. She has since grown her into a comeback. Hayley has
bridal designs business alongside been recognised by 10 Downing
making bespoke red-carpet gowns Street, the London Mayor’s Office
for up-and-coming celebrities, and NatWest as an influential
including TV and radio personality entrepreneur in the UK. She has
Maya Jama, Afrobeats superstar worked with inner-city children in
Tiwa Savage and reality TV star New York and students from the
Lydia Bright. top schools in East Africa.

120 Powerlist 2019