Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a candid and necessary conversation about the current state of the UK's biggest music night. Following the recent nominations, the industry is asking: Why is the BRIT Awards still struggling to get R&B right?

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin dive into the glaring absence of artists like Odeal and Elmiene from the R&B category—two artists who had undeniably massive years, sold-out shows, and critical acclaim, yet were completely overlooked.

They tackle the uncomfortable questions the industry is whispering:

• The Identity Crisis: Why were artists who don't technically make R&B nominated over the very people leading the genre’s resurgence?
• Exclusion or Ignorance? Is the voting committee’s oversight a result of a deep-seated lack of understanding of the genre, or is there a more systemic issue of colourism at play?
• The "R&B" Label: How the industry’s broad-brush approach to "Black music" often erases pure R&B artists in favor of more "pop-leaning" alternatives.

This is a vital discussion on representation, the power of gatekeepers, and why the UK’s R&B scene deserves more than just a footnote in award season.

Listen now to explore:

• The fallout from the 2026 BRIT Award nominations and the R&B category snubs.
• Why artists like Odeal and Elmiene are essential to the culture—and why the BRITs missed them.
• The debate between systemic exclusion versus a simple lack of genre literacy among voting members.
• How we can fix the voting process to ensure actual R&B artists are recognized and celebrated.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

🎥 New Episode Alert: Did the music industry create a monster? ⚖️

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for an unfiltered discussion on the recent P. Diddy documentary and the systemic issues it has brought to light. This isn't just a conversation about one individual; it’s a deep dive into how the music industry's power structures allow—and often facilitate—dangerous behavior.

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin shift the focus away from the headlines to examine the infrastructure of the industry. They discuss how a culture of silence, extreme power imbalances, and the "protection of the brand" can create environments where abuse and exploitation go unchecked for decades.

They explore the uncomfortable questions:

• How does the pursuit of profit lead to the industry turning a blind eye to "open secrets"?
• In what ways do labels, managers, and peers become complicit through their silence?
• What are the mechanisms that allow a "monster" to be created and sustained by the very system meant to nurture art?

⚠️ Content Warning & Disclaimer

Please Note: This episode contains discussions of systemic abuse, exploitation, and sensitive themes related to the recent P. Diddy documentary. We discuss these topics to explore the infrastructure and power dynamics of the music industry. Listener discretion is advised.

If you or someone you know has been affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, support is available. You can reach out to organizations such as Help Musicians (UK) or MusiCares (US), or contact your local support services.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts and guests and are based on publicly available information and personal experiences. They do not constitute legal advice or official findings. This discussion is intended for informational and educational purposes only.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they answer your questions!

We put a call out to the community for questions we could answer on the pod and you didn't disappoint.

In this episode we answer the questions:

I've been invited to a writing camp and im not sure if i should go. What actually happens on a writing camp and what would i actually get out of it?

What are your thoughts on being labelled a female producer? Im a woman and also a producer and i dont know how i feel about it. Has it helped or harmed your career?

We share our opinions and personal experiences to answer your questions!

To submit questions for future episodes please email community@ellevate.studio with the subject line POD Q&A

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they tackle one of the most frustrating and confusing phenomena in the music business: professional love bombing. We’ve all been there—someone reaches out, promises you the world, expresses "huge" interest in your project, and then... total radio silence.

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin pull back the curtain on why the industry is so prone to over-promising and under-delivering. They discuss the blatant lack of courtesy when it comes to letting people down and the total absence of transparency in professional relationships.

Charlotte shares her recent experiences with this through ellevate, detailing how potential partnerships and investment leads can seem incredibly "hot" one minute, only to disappear the next without explanation. She also exposes a common label tactic: setting artists up in sessions framed as a "favor" to them, when in reality, it's just a way for the executive to look busy or help a different contact on their roster.

Jasmin talks about the "meeting for inspiration" trap—where people request her time and energy under the guise of collaboration, only to realize they are looking for creative sparks to steal rather than a genuine working partnership.

Listen now to explore:

• The Love Bombing Cycle: Why industry pros promise "the earth" and then vanish.
• The "Ghosting" Culture: Why there is such a lack of basic courtesy when a deal or partnership isn't moving forward.
• The Inspiration Vampire: How to tell if a meeting is a genuine opportunity or if someone is just "mining" you for ideas.
• Performative A&R: Charlotte breaks down why some sessions are set up just to make a label look like they are "doing something."
• Navigating the Lack of Transparency: How to protect your energy and time in a world of vague promises.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a deeply personal and overdue conversation about the reality of motherhood in the music business. From high-stakes meetings to nap schedules, they share the raw stories of what it’s actually like to juggle a career in music with raising children.

In an industry built on late nights, travel, and "business as usual" expectations, being a parent can feel like a radical act. Charlotte and Jasmin dive into the expectations vs. the reality of maintaining their professional identities while stepping into the role of a mother.

Jasmin shares the powerful reason why she chose to hide her pregnancy for as long as possible. She opens up about the fear of being treated differently, underestimated by peers, or seeing opportunities dry up—a reality many women in the industry face.

Both women discuss the initial pressure they felt to continue "business as usual" after giving birth, and the pivotal moment they realized that "the old normal" was no longer sustainable. They explore the messy, beautiful process of creating a "new normal" that allows for both creative ambition and family life.

Listen now to explore:

• The hidden challenges of being a mother in a fast-paced, male-dominated industry.
• Jasmin’s personal account of navigating pregnancy in secret to protect her professional standing.
• The myth of "doing it all" and the transition from business as usual to a new, sustainable lifestyle.
• How motherhood has shifted their perspective on time management, boundaries, and career longevity.
• Practical advice for other parents and mothers-to-be navigating the music landscape.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchesshttps://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=enhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a bold discussion sparked by SZA’s recent comments regarding the rise of mediocrity in today’s music landscape. Has the industry become a breeding ground for the generic?

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin tackle the uncomfortable truth: many artists are now more focused on feeding the algorithm than they are on setting trends. They explore why the current generation of creators seems "too scared to be different," opting for the safety of viral formulas rather than the risk of true originality.

Charlotte dives deep into a topic that recently set her TikTok comments section alight: her frustration with "pity content." She breaks down why using vulnerability as a marketing tactic might drive short-term engagement, but fails to ignite real excitement or build a lasting, die-hard fandom.

Together, they ask the big question: Where should we set the bar for skill and exceptionalism?

Listen now to explore:

• The SZA Effect: Breaking down the conversation around why "good enough" has become the new standard.
• Algorithm vs. Artistry: Why the fear of being "different" is stifling the next generation of trendsetters.
• The "Pity Content" Trap: Why begging for likes through sob stories doesn't translate into genuine musical respect or ticket sales.
• Raising the Bar: How to shift your focus back to high-level skill and creative excellence in a world of "content" and is raising the bar toxic?
• The Future of Fandom: Why exceptionalism—not just consistency—is the only way to build a legacy.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate as they answer your questions!

We put a call out to the community for questions we could answer on the pod and you didn't disappoint.

In this episode we answer the questions:

Ive been offered a deal with a sync agent - no advance 5 years. What do you think are the pros and cons for this?

I released a cover song and did a really different arrangement in my version. I just heard an advert and they used such a similar version to my cover. What is your take on this?

I'm a female artist manager and recently the male manager of one of my artist's collaborators spoke down to me in a really patronising way. Do you have still have to deal with things like this and how do you handle it? I obviously want to keep a good relationship with this person for my artists sake but it feels like we shouldnt let men do this to us anymore.

We share our opinions and personal experiences to answer your questions!

To submit questions for future episodes please email community@ellevate.studio with the subject line POD Q&A

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/

Join Charlotte and Jasmin (p.k.a TĀLĀ) of Ellevate for a raw and honest discussion about the psychological and professional shifts that happen the moment an artist signs on the dotted line. While a record deal is often seen as the "ultimate goal," the reality behind the curtain is far more complex.

In this episode, Charlotte and Jasmin explore how the infrastructure of a label can create a dangerous distance between an artist and the reality of their business. They discuss how being signed often means you lose sight of exactly how much money you are earning—or spending—and how well your project is actually performing.

They dive into the "Label Lens":

• The Transparency Gap: Charlotte breaks down how the music industry thrives on a lack of transparency around money, leaving artists in the dark about their own financial health.
• The Personal Investment Paradox: Despite being signed, the financial risk often still falls on the artist and their manager. They discuss how artists frequently have to invest their own funds to truly grow their projects when the label won't step up.
• The RAYE Effect: They highlight the iconic example of RAYE, who famously ignored advice and invested her own money into her Royal Albert Hall performance—a move that ultimately landed her a Grammy nomination and proved that betting on yourself is sometimes the only way forward.
• Success vs. Solvency: Why having a "big machine" behind you doesn't always mean you are financially secure, and how the pressure to look successful can warp your understanding of your actual career trajectory.

This episode is a vital reality check for any artist. It’s a deep dive into reclaiming your power, understanding your numbers, and why the biggest financial risks often still land on your shoulders.

Listen now to explore:

• Why a record deal can create a "buffer" that hides the true financial state of your career.
• The reality of self-funding even when you are signed to a major or independent label.
• Lessons from RAYE’s Royal Albert Hall gamble and the power of taking creative and financial risks.
• Why the industry benefits from keeping artists in the dark about streaming data and royalty transparency.
• How artists and managers can navigate the high-stakes financial pressure of building a long-term brand.

Find out more about ellevate: https://ellevate.studio/ ellevate TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ellevate.studios ellevate Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellevate.studios

Jasmin's Socials https://www.tiktok.com/@talatheduchess https://www.instagram.com/tala_official/?hl=en Find her on all streaming platforms by searching TĀLĀ

Charlotte's Socials https://www.instagram.com/charli_caleb/?hl=en https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-caleb/