Submit. Prompt. Generate.
Sydney Alston is a seasoned music executive with over 20 years of experience developing and mentoring talent. After a decade as a touring musician, he transitioned into artist management and production, helping acts like Major Myjah and Emily Deforesters secure major label and publishing deals with UMG, Capitol, and Sony.
No Commitments. Pay Only When You Create.
Sydney Alston — Manager, Producer & Artist Advocate
Los Angeles • 20+ Years in Music • Management, Production & Development
Sydney Alston is a veteran music professional who has guided artists across Los Angeles and beyond for more than two decades—pairing real-world musicianship with business acumen to open doors and build careers.
Musicianship & Early Foundations
After a decade on the road as a bass player and singer, Sydney discovered a passion for cultivating and managing emerging talent. That stage experience informs his artist-first approach and practical coaching.
Disc Makers: Business Expertise
Sydney joined Disc Makers, the leading independent CD/DVD manufacturing company, where he rose to become the go-to expert in the Los Angeles branch—advising indie creators on production, budgeting, release logistics, and packaging.
Management & Production Firm
Alongside Disc Makers, Sydney launched his own management and production firm. Leveraging deep relationships, he mentors young talent, produces independent records, and coordinates major-label showcases that connect artists with decision-makers.
Notable Artist Outcomes
Sydney’s development work helped secure significant label and publishing deals for artists including:
- Major Myjah — deals with UMG and Capitol
- Emily Deforesters — deals with Sony
Services & Strengths
- Talent Development: coaching, repertoire, live readiness
- Production: indie record production & release planning
- Showcase Strategy: curation, targeting, industry outreach
- Career Navigation: budgeting, timelines, partner alignment
Mission & Mindset
Sydney’s north star is simple: equip artists with the resources, relationships, and confidence to thrive. Whether independent or major-label bound, his guidance centers on sustainable growth and meaningful, long-term wins.
A&R Contacts
Preview of A&R executives (blurred). Full details available inside AvenueAR.
Jeff Fenster
A&R Executive · All Genres
Past: Jive, Island Def Jam, Geffen, Warner · Known for Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, Dua Lipa, Bebe Rexha.
Alex Dollar
A&R Executive · Pop, Rock, Hip-Hop
Crazed Hits, Warner Bros. · Early discovers: Imagine Dragons, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj; worked w/ Passenger, Bebe Rexha.
Sam Hook
A&R Executive · Pop, Hip-Hop
Artist-first development, relationship-driven feedback; R&B Money podcast guest.
Ken Komisar
A&R Executive · All Genres
President, NHMM (Notting Hill Music Masters & Management). Streams in tens of millions; UK/US radio support.
Donny “Dizzy” Flores
A&R Executive · Hip-Hop, Trap, Rap
We Good LLC; DJ Snake lead A&R/executive producer. Credits incl. “Taki Taki”, “Loco Contigo”.
Sydney Alston
A&R Executive · Hip-Hop, Pop, Rock
Artist development, mgmt & production; placements with UMG/Capitol/Sony acts.
Ryan Ramsey
A&R / Manager · Hip-Hop, R&B
Worked with Brandy, Nicki Minaj (Blueprint/Maverick); Rich The Kid management.
Chris Gotti
A&R Executive · Hip-Hop / R&B
Co-founder Murder Inc./The Inc.; Ja Rule, Ashanti, Lloyd. Add Ventures Music founder.
Anthony Johnson
A&R / CEO, 2 Johnson Ent. · All Genres
Work w/ Sony/Epic/Roc Nation/Republic/Atlantic/Def Jam; hits w/ Jay-Z, Kanye, Ne-Yo, Kelly Clarkson, Janet Jackson.
Dino Delvaille
A&R Executive · Artist-Rights Focus
Artist-centric approach; ensures creators retain rights and recognition.
Premo $tallone
A&R Executive · Hip-Hop, R&B, Pop
Affiliations: Darkchild, Timbaland, Don Cannon, DJ Drama. Gold/Platinum placements; billion+ streams.
Derek Minor
A&R Executive · Christian, Gospel, Trap
Dev & collabs: Lecrae, Andy Mineo, KB, Trip Lee, Hollyn, Canon; brand & audience strategy.
Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins
Producer / A&R · Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop
Whitney, Brandy/Monica, Destiny’s Child, J. Lopez; Darkchild Records, Alienz Alive.
DJ Clue
A&R / DJ / Exec · Hip-Hop
Desert Storm co-founder; broke Fabolous; Hot 97 alum; major collab & production credits.
Warryn Campbell
Producer / A&R · Gospel, R&B, Hip-Hop
Grammy-winning; My Block Inc. founder; Mary Mary, Jennifer Hudson, Musiq Soulchild.
Jay Leopardi
A&R / Founder · Pop, Rap, Hip-Hop
AvenueAR co-founder; background in branding, licensing, SEO, product launch, endorsements.
Mauricio Londoño
A&R / Host · Latin, Pop
“Checking con Mauro” podcast; Latinx market strategy & development.
Anthony Mundle
A&R · Hip-Hop
Def Jam projects; 2 Chainz, YG, Dave East; artist authenticity & long-term development focus.
Daniel Werner
VP A&R · Pop
Universal Music Group; work with Tove Lo, Taio Cruz, Astrid S, Sigrid, Dean Lewis.
DaShawn “Happie” White
Exec A&R · Pop, K-Pop, Hip-Hop
Empire; collabs incl. Kanye, H.E.R., John Legend, Kehlani; champion of creative rooms/collab.
Jazmine Valencia
SVP A&R · Pop, R&B, Alt
UMG / Sony affiliations; authenticity-first artist development & inclusive leadership.
Jonathan “Ganda” Gandarilla
Producer / Manager · Latin Trap
Ganda Entertainment; Trap Capos series; work with Anuel AA, Bad Bunny, Yandel, Prince Royce.
Esther Anaya
DJ / Producer / A&R · EDM, Pop, Latin
LA Chargers Official DJ; Zouk LV residency; collab w/ Snoop Dogg; ASAF Angels founder.
Dave Santaniello
A&R Executive · Pop, Rock, Country
Community-driven discovery; blends classic A&R instincts with tech-forward strategy.
Kyle Weers
A&R · Hip-Hop, Pop
Made in Memphis Ent./Beatroot/Heavy Hitters; artist dev., sync & publishing integration.
Terry “Bear” Brown
A&R · Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop
Early talent ID for Darkchild/EMI; signed/prod. dev. credits incl. Tommy Brown & Bieber cuts.
Hutson Miller
Exec / A&R · Multigenre
VP A&R (Atlantic/EMI); film/TV & consumer tech; EVP Talent Relations at AvenueAR.
Michael (Mike) Colton
Co-Founder & Head of Production, AvenueAR · A&R
Creator-centric ops, feedback loops, exec outreach; live mentorship programming.