PANEL - Manager Masterclass

One of the most hands-on jobs within the music industry is that of the artist manager. While no two stories or pathways will ever be the same in this sector of the business - there are shared strategies that enable artist development and growth. Join established artist managers sharing their extensive knowledge, expertise, and advice on all aspects of the business. What are the key roles and responsibilities of an artist manager? What does it take to discover and develop great talent? We'll discuss how to nurture the manager-artist relationship, navigate different ways to market an artist and grow and sustain long-term artist careers.

Featured Panelists:

Zekiel “Zeke” Nicholson first discovered his interest in talent management during his sophomore year at Central Catholic High School. As a Carolina transplant living in Pittsburgh, he found himself surrounded by a circle of young dreamers who were already involved in the city’s emerging music scene. Among them were Quentin Cuff, who later became Mac Miller’s manager and business partner, and Will Dzombak, who went on to manage Wiz Khalifa. Their encouragement and passion inspired Zeke to pursue his own path in the industry.

High school was also where Zeke became known for his event coordination skills. The parties he organized around Pittsburgh gained major attention, and by his senior year in 2008, he had built a strong following among local high school students. Always thinking ahead, Zeke reached out to Fab 5 Entertainment, a dominant event promotion company in the college market, knowing he would soon be attending the University of Pittsburgh. Barry “Hefner” Johnson, Fab 5’s CEO, recognized Zeke’s entrepreneurial drive and brought him on as an intern before later promoting him to Director of Business Development.

In 2010, Zeke began a year-long internship with Atlantic Records, working in the Urban Marketing and A&R departments. This experience solidified his passion for talent management and led him to discover his first artist, Detroit rapper Young Scolla. Scolla became the first artist co-managed by Barry and Zeke under the Fab 5 Management umbrella. Confident in his path, Zeke left the University of Pittsburgh during his junior year to focus on management and business development full-time. Stepping outside the comfort of the university environment was a crucial step in his growth.

Under Barry’s mentorship, Zeke helped market and promote Wiz Khalifa and Mac Miller, working to get their early music circulating throughout Pittsburgh’s nightlife. Barry saw that Zeke cared deeply about the music and had a talent for seeing the bigger vision. Over the last decade, the two have continued to work together, co-managing more than six artists as partners.

Today, Zeke believes SinceThe80s can rebuild the trust that has faded over time between artists and record labels. For him, the mission isn’t just about good business—it’s about developing artists and teaching them the industry. SinceThe80s isn’t here to follow the old standard; it’s here to set a new one.

Ethan Langston, COO & Artist Manager, Groundwork Management

Ethan Langston is an accomplished music executive and artist manager with a decade of experience guiding artists’ careers and building sustainable growth in the entertainment industry. Currently serving as COO and Artist Manager at Groundwork Music, he oversees strategic and day-to-day operations for the company and its roster. Since co-founding Groundwork during early COVID, Ethan has helped develop and manage numerous artists from the ground up, most notably guiding pop artist Rachel Grae from her very first release to achieving half a billion streams across DSPs and coverage in outlets like Rolling Stone and People Magazine.

A graduate of the University of Georgia’s Honors College with a BBA in Management and a Certificate in Music Business, and with a background in touring and production, Ethan got his professional start at Blind Ambition Management (Blind Boys of Alabama, William Bell, Over the Rhine, The Low Anthem, etc.), where he was initially an assistant manager and promotions coordinator. Eventually, he moved into a day-to-day management role, where he oversaw operations for Grammy award winning and nominated acts, honing his ability to juggle complex projects and relationships across touring, promotion, and artist development. Known for his attention to detail and ability to get things done, he has built a reputation as a trusted and reliable partner to artists and teams across the music industry.

Ryan McMahan is the CEO of Oath Management, where he’s redefining what it means to build a truly successful and meaningful music career. Unlike traditional management companies, Oath operates as a mentorship-driven ecosystem, empowering artists and managers to think like entrepreneurs. The company helps its clients grow not only as musicians but as multi-industry brands—expanding into film, tech, publishing, real estate, and beyond.

Ryan co-founded Oath in 2019 alongside Larry Pareigis, former Senior VP at Sony Music Nashville. The company made an immediate mark by launching Reyna Roberts during the early months of the pandemic. In 2023, Ryan took full ownership of Oath and expanded its focus across multiple genres, emphasizing long-term career development and strategies that cross industries and cultures.

At the heart of Ryan’s vision is more than financial success. He champions the idea of nurturing both emotional and spiritual “bank accounts,” believing that balance, integrity, and authentic relationships are the foundation of lasting impact. For Ryan, business isn’t just about profit—it’s about aligning with values, serving people, and leaving a legacy that resonates far beyond the music.

Over the years, Ryan has managed multi-platinum artists such as STARSET, Blanco Brown, and Saving Abel, as well as Grammy-winning and multi-platinum producers whose credits include Sleep Theory, Mötley Crüe, Childish Gambino, Chris Brown, Bailey Zimmerman, Julia Michaels, and more. While most management companies focus solely on the music, Oath is built to help artists and managers create sustainable businesses that thrive across industries—with the goal of shaping culture and creating work that lasts for generations.

Amadi Jae, Talent Manager & Developer, Retrolite Society

Amadi Jae is the founder of Retrolite Society & Company, a talent development and brand-building firm dedicated to curating legends and empowering artists to shine. As an artist manager and Creative Brand & Career Strategist, she guides musicians and creatives through career development, brand elevation, and key industry opportunities. She also serves as the Program Manager for Music Education Group, Inc., where she designs programs that prepare the next generation of artists with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed. In addition, she is the Vice Chair of Membership for Women in Music, championing equity and building community for women across the industry. As a proud member of the Recording Academy, Amadi remains committed to shaping a more inclusive and sustainable future for the music world.

Moderator:

Sharon Tapper, Executive Director, MMF-US

The Music Managers Forum-US is the leading trade association for artist managers and self-managed artists in the U.S. Since joining in 2022, the organization has grown by over 600%, expanding from its LA and NY roots to new chapters in Miami, Chicago, Nashville, Austin, Boston, and most recently, Atlanta. MMF-US provides vital education, advocacy, and global connections through its partnership with the International Music Managers Forum (IMMF)—supporting music managers and self-managed artists across the country.

With a background in artist management, music publishing, and studio operations, Tapper has held leadership roles at Kobalt and Razor & Tie and worked with artists including The Cranberries, Slash, George Michael, and Seal.

A longtime member of the Recording Academy’s New York Chapter, Tapper served 14 years as Governor and Secretary of the Executive Committee, including six consecutive terms as Co-Chair of its Advocacy Committee. She also served four years on the New York Board of the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and co-founded NYC3, a network created to champion and support New York City’s creative professionals.