The latest episode of The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast features Roman Tagoe, former BBC Radio 1 and 6 Music producer and now Director of Streaming at Chrysalis Records.
The episode explores two decades of Tagoe’s experience across BBC Radio, DSPs and record labels. It tackles everything from class and access in the industry to AI, streaming strategy and the comeback of human tastemakers.
Speaking to Blinding Talent founder, Mark Adams, he reflects on early radio moments with Zane Lowe and The Killers, and explains today’s realities of editorial pitching and audience-building.
Roman argues that class, rather than race, remains the biggest barrier to entry in UK music, pointing to unpaid internships and geography as limiting factors. He calls for mentoring across all levels of education to protect the UK’s position as the world’s top music market.
He also warns that AI could “make or ruin streaming”, saying that if the industry values art and acts early on rights and authenticity, it can enhance creativity, but if not, it risks undermining it.
Among the key insights shared, Roman highlights how audiences are turning back to trusted curators amid algorithm fatigue, and why authenticity and consistency now matter more than choreographed content.
He stresses that playlisting offers only short-term growth, while long-term success comes from off-platform storytelling, fan engagement and intent-driven discovery.
Mark Adams said: “Roman has lived every angle – radio, DSPs, labels – and translates it into a clear playbook: audience first, consistency over vanity metrics, and tell better stories.”
The new episode of The Blinding Talent Music Industry Podcast featuring Roman Tagoe is available now on all major podcast platforms.
