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Series in which music industry insiders reveal how the business works. Agent Emma Banks looks at how the music business finds talent and creates superstars.

In the first programme of the series, music agent Emma Banks looks at how the music business finds talent and creates superstars.

Over 25 years as one of the top agents in the business, Emma has worked with some of the world's most famous artists, including Katy Perry, Kanye West and Red Hot Chili Peppers. She's seen first-hand the fine line between success and failure, following the careers of hundreds of acts - from geniuses who never quite made it to megastars who conquered the world.

The secret to success and stardom is an elusive formula of luck, timing and of course talent. But as Emma explores in this film, it's also about the team behind the talent - the record execs, label bosses and A&R gurus who find, develop and make a star. From Motown's musical finishing school to Damon Dash's dogged promotion of Jay-Z, the missed potential of sixties group The Zombies to Blur's record label steering their career from one-hit wonders towards chart domination, this film offers an entertaining behind-the-scenes peek into the peaks and pitfalls of making a musical superstar.

Contributors include Motown's Martha Reeves, Blur's Alex James, record producing legend Clive Davis, Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell and Labelle's Nona Hendryx. And we follow Emma as she works with new grime star Lady Leshurr to take her career to the next level.

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Katy Perry

    Firework

  • DJ Format

    3Ft Deep

  • Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

    Nowhere To Run

  • Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

    (Love Is Like A) Heat Wave

  • The Temptations

    Get Ready

  • Martha Reeves and the Vandellas

    Dancing In The Street

  • The Libertines

    Don't Look Back Into the Sun

  • The Zombies

    She's Not There

  • The Zombies

    Care Of Cell 44

  • Blur

    For Tomorrow

  • Katy Perry

    California Gurls (feat. Snoop Dogg)

  • JAY-Z

    Big Pimpin

  • Oasis

    Roll With It

  • Elastica

    Connection

  • Boards of Canada

    Olson

  • J Hus

    Lean & Bop

  • Lady Leshurr

    Queen's Speech 4

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Emma Banks
Interviewed Guest Clive Davis
Interviewed Guest Damon Dash
Interviewed Guest Martha Reeves
Interviewed Guest Lady Leshurr
Executive Producer Richard Bright
Producer James Hale
Director James Hale
Assistant Producer Toby Cameron
Production Manager Laura Deponio
Editor Dylan Goch
Re-recording mixer Max Hughes
Production Coordinator Sharon Wood
Production Coordinator Amanda Perry
On-line editing Kurt Williams

Broadcasts

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