Working in the Music Industry – Streaming Services

Dive into the heart of the music industry with our upcoming panel discussion at Brooklyn Public Library! 

Join us for an exclusive inside look at the streaming landscape, where a panel of seasoned music industry professionals will share valuable insights on the various types of roles and what it's like to work at a streaming service. From understanding streaming platforms to decoding industry trends, this event offers a unique opportunity to gain firsthand knowledge from experts who have thrived in the ever-evolving world of music streaming. 

Whether you're an aspiring artist, producer, or simply a music enthusiast curious about the behind-the-scenes workings of the industry, this unique event is not to be missed. Mark your calendars and join us for an enlightening discussion that could be the key to unlocking your path in the music business!

Featured Panelist Bios: 

• Drea Jackson -  (Moderator)  Senior Manager, Artist Relations | SoundCloud
  • Drea Jackson is an Artist Development and Relations Manager at SoundCloud, responsible for building and maintaining SoundCloud’s relationships with artists, managers, producers and agents, as well as educating the creator community on how to best utilize SoundCloud and its artist services to build and grow their careers. Prior to SoundCloud, Drea was a Strategist on the Brand Partnerships team at SoundCloud & Pandora, where she crafted narratives and sales strategies for potential sponsorships. In addition to her role at SoundCloud, Drea hosts a YouTube Show “Drea Vibes” and is a graduate of Spelman College. 
• Xavier “X” Jernigan - AI DJ x Head of Cultural Partnerships | Spotify 
  • Xavier ""X"" Jernigan is the Voice of Spotify… literally. Xavier is the voice and personality of Spotify’s AI DJ, named one of Time Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2023. He is also a Spotify executive (Head of Cultural Partnerships) and Spotify’s go-to host and spokesperson for Spotify events and press around the world. In that role he has interviewed some of the biggest celebrities in the world and brought Spotify to the Oscars and AMAs red carpet for the very first time. Xavier has hosted several podcasts across Spotify including The Get Up (Spotify’s Morning Show) that garnered 6 million listeners and was a top 10 podcast on Spotify.
• Cree - Audiomack Artist relations  
  • Ashley-Cree Maddix is a seasoned professional with over 13 years of experience in the music industry. Currently, she serves as the Senior Manager of Artist Services at Audiomack, an artist-first music streaming and audio discovery platform with 30 million monthly users worldwide. During her tenure at Audiomack, Cree has supported more than 600 artist campaigns and led successful projects and events such as “March Madness,” “Press Play On Black Businesses,” and the “Connect Event” series. Prior to her role at Audiomack, Cree worked as an Entertainment Creative on various artist teams, where she assisted with marketing, publicity, and performance development. Her career began in Radio Promotions and Events at Audacy, where she worked for stations like Power 96 and 104.3 The Shark. At Audacy, Cree collaborated with key partners such as Metro PCS and Tito’s Vodka to produce popular music festivals like Riptide Music Festival and Chili Cook-Off. Cree is a graduate of Florida International University in Miami.
• Forrest Durrell  Product Marketing Manager | TIDAL 
  • Forrest is a product marketer at TIDAL, a music platform that brings fans closer to artists through unique experiences and best-in-class sound quality. He drives innovative product launches and marketing strategies, enhancing user engagement and connecting TIDAL to new audiences. Previously, he was part of the team that launched YouTube Music, building metadata tools and developing training systems for global teams. Throughout his career, Forrest has brought a fresh perspective on how digital platforms can revolutionize the music industry.
• Melanie McClain Founder | Blurred Lines