Hits, Hype & Hustle: An Insider's Guide to the Music Business

Making a Star (1x1)

Air date: Jan 19, 2018

Agent Emma Banks looks at how the music business finds talent and creates superstars. She has worked with artists such as Katy Perry, Kanye West and Red Hot Chili Peppers and seen the fine line between success and failure, following the careers of hundreds of acts - from geniuses who never quite made it to megastars who conquered the world. The secret to success and stardom is an elusive formula of luck, timing and talent. But as Emma explores, it's also about the team behind the talent - the record execs, label bosses and A&R gurus who find, develop and make a star. From Motown's musical finishing school to Damon Dash's dogged promotion of Jay Z, the film offers a behind-the-scenes peek into the peaks and pitfalls of making a musical superstar. Contributors include Martha Reeves, Alex James, Clive Davis, Perry Farrell and Nona Hendryx. And we follow Emma as she works with new grime star Lady Leshurr.