J. Erving on RAYE, independent artists, and selling Human Re Sources to Sony Music

Welcome to the latest Music Business Worldwide Podcast,
supported by Voly Entertainment.

Joining MBW founder, Tim Ingham, on this podcast is Julius
Erving III, better known as J. Erving.

Erving is the founder of Los Angeles-based Human Re Sources, a
distribution and services company working with premium
independent artists. Its successful clients since launch have
included Brent Faiyiz, Pinks Sweats, Ant Clemons, and YBN
Nahmir.

Right now, though, people are focusing on Human Re Sources for
one artist more than any other: RAYE. 

In February 2024, two years after that signing to Human Re
Sources, RAYE swept the UK’s BRIT Awards, with a record-breaking
six wins including Album Of The Year.

There is, then, lots to ask J Erving about the success of
independent artists like RAYE – and what that reflects about the
wider music business.

On this podcast, we also ask him about his previous life as an
artist manager, his personal motivations, and his decision in
2020 to sell Human Re Sources to Sony Music and The Orchard.