Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerusha Ujanga.
Hi Jerusha, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From young I always wanted to be a “Pop Star”, trained in singing, dancing and guitar. I was destined to become big! Fast forward to the reality of adulthood. I understood the competition and also family pressures to get a career that would “put bread on the table”. A well known past trauma passed on by members of the family that also go discredited and forced into a career.
I did not take this personally but decided to pursue a career in Psychology, with the aspirations of becoming a councilor. As I was in University, my friend said The Voice is auditioning on the arts campus and I should audition. From there, the lecturer persuaded me to cross over onto the music course. During this time, I realised there is a problem with the digital pay structures of streaming. Including the deals and why deals were made. It empowered me to be the doorway for grassroots and general independent music. Protecting their masters, creativity, legal structure and training them in music business.
Since graduating during the pandemic, I have been on BBC News, ITV News, BBC Radio and ITV Radio over 10 times. Pioneering local music festivals, creativity and my productions. I now sign and educate them on a mass scale. Resulting in paying over 20+ musicians to perform, including development and training. I have produced Thamesmead Festival 2025, Jazz headliner Omar.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The struggle has been finding my way and also how to facilitate opportunities for my artists. It took me to complete my degree to harness the knowledge. Being taken seriously as a woman in music in a male dominated sphere is very challenging. Over explaining to not get mistaken for a joke or to change tones so I do not sound condescending as a young woman; which is exactly how the men communicate but is different for a woman.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Freelance Label services for the independent artists.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
That I build sustainable paid careers for my artists and I have media advertising expertise as an ex-apple client facilitator,
Pricing:
- Reach me via social media @shakher_jne instagram
- Email [email protected] for 15min free indie artist consultation
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shakher_jne/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerusha-ujanga-6627b9100/
