The Music Industry Needs to Change | Elia Mssawir on Shik Shak Shook Ones

Elia Mssawir is a music industry veteran who has worked with global giants, managing artists and tours and eventually established Big Beards Entertainment. He joins Shik Shak Shook Ones Hosts Danny Hajjar and Deana Soni to offer a candid look at the often unseen aspects of the music industry, covering the hurdles faced by artists, the role of gatekeepers, and the reality of industry contracts. Special segments include discussions about popular artists like Amr Diab and Wegz, as well as the future of streaming platforms. Tune in for a raw episode filled with honest insights and provocative questions.

00:00 Introduction 
03:39 Music Industry Insights and Personal Experiences
06:10 Discussion on Current Music Trends and Artists
17:02 Challenges and Realities of the Music Industry
34:25 Navigating the Arab Music Industry
35:28 The Impact of Streaming Platforms
36:37 The Role of Major Labels
37:43 The Power of Independent Artists
39:01 The Digital Era and Music Consumption
42:17 Challenges in the MENA Music Market
47:05 The Importance of Accurate Data
01:03:51 Advice for Aspiring Artists
01:07:20 The Need for Industry Knowledge
01:12:56 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Elia Mssawir is a Lebanese music industry veteran who has worked with industry giants like Snoop Dogg and Tinie Tempah while also nurturing emerging Middle Eastern talents. He founded a UK-based music company, booked tours for Middle Eastern artists, and later established Big Beards Entertainment in the UAE. Elia's exceptional contributions earned him the title of Entertainment Manager of the Year in 2019. He led the music for Expo 2020's opening ceremony and launched GXR Records in 2022, where he currently serves as CEO. Elia's journey showcases his passion, expertise, and dedication to talent development.

Connect with Elia 👉 https://www.instagram.com/eliamssawir/

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Curious about Elia Mssawir's episode on 963 podcast that's mentioned in the episode? 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=On8K3vJm6to

Theme Music 👉 Sleiman Damien https://www.instagram.com/sleimandamien/?hl=en

Hosted by: 
Deana Soni 👉 https://www.instagram.com/deana.soni/
& Danny Hajjar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/dannyghajjar/

Deana is a dedicated presenter and journalist with a special focus on highlighting the cultural richness of the MENA region and fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse voices within the community. In 2020, she launched the UK's first Arabic and North African radio show, which showcased and platformed talented artists from the regions and diaspora, before creating her new platform, WASTA, in 2024. Additionally, she was the official host for the Assassin's Creed Mirage podcast, which explored medieval Iraq and its rich history. Deana also created the viral show Musconceptions, which debunked myths about Islam through comedy and garnered over 10 million views on social media. 

Danny Hajjar is a music journalist based in Washington, DC writing about the emerging Arabic music scene and the new wave of artists from the Middle East, North Africa, and its diaspora communities. He runs the award-winning digital zine Sa’alouni El Nas, highlighting trends in the Arabic scene, profiling artists, and reviewing music.

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