TMT:22 Shabs Jobanputra on How His Refugee Background Influenced His Career, Breaking Everyone from So Solid Crew to Baby Shark, US Labels Poaching UK Artists, and Walking Away from Signing Amy Winehouse

Welcome to The Money Trench. In this episode, Mark is joined by Shabs Jobanputra, founder and president of Relentless Records. Catching up at Sony HQ, Shabs shares his journey into the music industry, reflecting on the challenges he faced as an immigrant and recounting the early days of Relentless Records. He discusses the label's first signings and its evolution over the years, offering insights into both its successes and the pressures from the U.S. market. The conversation also touches on the decline of traditional gatekeepers in music and the growing importance of diverse opinions and attitudes within the industry. Shabs also digs into the thought process behind key signings, including So Solid Crew, Craig David, and even the phenomenon of Baby Shark. NEWSLETTER Sign up HERE for the TMT newsletter - featuring each week’s hottest music industry stories. PPL  The Money Trench is sponsored by the PPL who celebrate their 90th year in business this year. KEEP UP TO DATE For the latest podcast and music business updates, make sure to follow us on:  Instagram: @the_money_trench LinkedIn: The Money Trench Website: The Money Trench GET IN TOUCH If you have any feedback, guest suggestions or general comments? We’d love to hear from you! - Get in touch here! Thanks to our partners PPL  Earth/Percent Tom A Smith Aimless Play Fourth Pillar Sennheiser Junkhead Studio Tape Notes Executive Producer: Mike Walsh Producer: Tape Notes