In this video, professionals from across the music industry talk openly about what advice they would give to themselves as teenagers if they had the chance.
Advice to your teenage self
Angelle Joseph: I'd say stick with it, keep doing what you do and keep having fun with what you do because you never know, what you do for fun right now, might become a job in the future.
Harpz Kaur: Don't beat yourself up because I did a lot of it. There were too many dark days for me where I used to want to give up and I'd think to myself you know what? Forget it, what's the point? Why am I trying? And you will feel like that, there will be times like that. You'll have an inbox filled with rejections; you'll have job people telling you no. But what I've learnt in life is, even though every door might close on you, I've always managed to find a little window somewhere and you can find it if you really look hard for it. There's always a way out.
Arlo Parks: Exams are not the be all and end all of everything. Of course, try your best, do study, but if something does go wrong, then know that it's not the end of the world.
Ransom FA: Whether you think you can or whether you can't, you're right.
Jess Iszatt: There were times where I was like oh, what happens if I don't make it?.. If you keep going, you'll eventually get it, whatever 'it' is.
Tag Warner: The more that you look to your left and your right to see what everyone else is doing, the slower you're going to travel. And you might also look over your shoulder so many times that when you turn back around, you've gone completely off course, and you're not actually running to where you want to go anymore because you're running in a different direction without realising.
Sybil Bell: Don't be afraid to do something that you feel really strongly about. If you fear that other people may not share your views, just go with your heart, we have gut instinct for a reason, and I think that's the most important thing you should follow.
Alexandra Ampofo: Use the internet wisely. If you don't know something Google it. If you want to find out more about something Google it. Don't be mean to people online.
Lava La Rue: When you do something wrong or when something doesn't go right, it is a real reality check of what you really want to be doing, you know, and that can happen with, you know, getting something, like, in terms of tests or something academic wrong or to do with your social groups or whatever. When something goes wrong it's like, okay are these the right people I need to be around? You know, is this routine I'm doing, is that correct? It's always a reality check and it will bring you to the place that you need to be.
Moses Boyd: Never forget why you got in this for.
Ray BLK: You know, I spent a lot of time just thinking too much and worrying so much about everything. So I just tell myself, "enjoy the journey." People always say it's another cliche, but it's not about the destination, it's about the whole journey.
Jodie Harsh: If you want to make something really amazing, that a lot of people see, and that really touches people. You have to really put in the hours. I describe myself sometimes as a duck swimming along the water. Oh, I'm just putting this out, putting this out, and underneath, like, I'm paddling like this, trying to keep it all together. Whoever you look up to and admire in the creative industry, they look like it's all just falling into their laps…and they're just making it big. They put in years of work and so many hours of work.
Femi Koleoso: Leave your ego at the door and do things in the interest of becoming a better person, making better music and making great friends.
Angelle is a music artist and broadcaster for BBC Introducing Suffolk. She also works with youth and community groups in her local area. Angelle is very passionate about new music, championing fresh talent and providing opportunities to others.
Stick with it, keep doing what you do, and keep having fun with what you do. Because you never know, what you do for fun right now might become a job in the future. – Angelle Joseph
Harpz is a breakfast presenter on BBC Asian Network. She is also a DJ and CBBC presenter on Saturday Mashup. Harpz was voted Radio Presenter of the Year at the 2019 Asian Media Awards.
Even though every door might close on you, I've always managed to find a little window somewhere and you can find it if you really look hard for it. – Harpz Kaur
Arlo Parks is a singer-songwriter and poet from south London. She was longlisted for the BBC Sound of 2020 awards, a poll of music critics. Arlo embarked on her first headline tour of Europe in February 2020, but could not complete it due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Her debut album is set to be released in January 2021.
Of course try your best, do study, but if something does go wrong, then know it's not the end of the world. – Arlo Parks
Grime artist Ransom FA grew up in Aberdeen and recently appeared on BBC Three's The Rap Game UK, performing in front of 18,000 people in Birmingham. Now based in London, Ransom has never forgotten his Scottish and Nigerian roots and has a desire to develop a rap scene in Scotland, helping young aspiring grime artists from his Aberdeen studio.
Whether you think you can, or whether you think you can't… you're right. – Ransom FA quoting Henry Ford
Jess Iszatt presents the BBC Music Introducing in London show every Saturday night, supporting the best under the radar music from London town. Jess also presents weekdays on Magic Chilled, playing fresh, laid-back hits from the 1990s, 2000s and present.
There were times where I was like, what happens if I don't make it?.. If you keep going you'll eventually get it, whatever 'it' is. – Jess Iszatt
In 2019, Tag Warner became the youngest ever CEO of global media brand, Gay Times. Tag is passionate about LGBTQ+ issues, especially for younger people, and hopes to amplify queer voices through new content initiatives and partnerships whilst in post as CEO.
The more you look to your left and your right to see what everyone else is doing, the slower you're going to travel. – Tag Warner
Sybil Bell is Founder & CEO at a music company and live record label as well as founder of Independent Venue Week, a 7-day celebration of gigs all around the UK. Sybil's experience includes artist & label management, tour management and promotion in the UK and internationally.
Don't be afraid to do something that you feel really strongly about. If you fear that other people won't share your views, just go with your heart, we have gut instinct for a reason. – Sybil Bell
Alexandra is an entrepreneur and live music promoter at one of the UK's leading gig promoters. She has worked on the shows and tours of some of the world’s leading talents including Lauryn Hill and Ella Mai. Alexandra has also been instrumental in the growth and development of the acoustic scene within London.
I'll just say use the internet wisely. If you don't know something, search for it online. – Alexandra Ampofo
Lava La Rue is a visual artist, rapper and musician from London. Founder of NiNE8, a collective of musicians, artists and creatives, Lava took a DIY approach to making music, releasing several EPs including LAVALAND and LETRA.
When you do something wrong or when something doesn't go right, it is a real reality check for what you want to be doing. – Lava La Rue
Rita Ekwere, better known by her stage name of Ray BLK, is a singer-songwriter from London. In 2017, Ray became the first unsigned artist to win the BBC Sound award. Her stage surname BLK stands for Building Living Knowing, her three main values in life. Watch the full session to find out more.
It's not about the destination, it's about the whole journey. – Ray BLK
Jodie Harsh is a DJ, music producer and promoter. Famous for her DJ sets at clubs, festivals and A-list parties across the globe, Jodie has played alongside Diplo, Skrillex and Swedish House Mafia, bringing her unique energy to the dance floor.
If you want to make something really amazing, with a lot of people seeing and that really touches people… you have to really put in the hours. – Jodie Harsh
BBC Music Introducing LIVE ran from Saturday 24 October – Saturday 31 October 2020 and Bitesize brought you five backstage discussions with special guests.
One of the UK’s biggest, fastest-growing and most exciting music industry events, BBC Music Introducing LIVE supports and inspires the next generation of industry leaders, artists and creatives. The 2020 event took place digitally for the first time, with a week-long programme bringing audiences an array of live performances, masterclasses, talks and interactive sessions featuring high profile BBC Music Introducing alumni, industry experts and special guests.
To find out more details and watch all the panel talks, check out the BBC Music Introducing LIVE page.
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