Justin Adams is a New York City-based A&R and artist manager at Tap Music. He began his career as an intern at Island Def Jam in 2010, later moving to JAY-Z’s Roc Nation in 2011. As an A&R and artist manager, he’s worked with with talent such as DJ Khaled, Meek Mill, Nicki Minaj, Dua Lipa, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Prince and many more. He is currently working with Claudia Valentina, Leigh-Anne Pinnock, Ellie Goulding and CL.

Justin is a graduate of New York University’s Tisch Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music, class of 2013.

Our recent chat with Justin discusses his favourite campaigns and talks about the overlaps between visual creativity and music.

I'M LOVING

Creatively at the moment, I’m loving three artists. Firstly, Jazmine Sullivan is a world-class vocalist and I'm happy that more people are starting to pay attention. I just saw her at the Kings Theater in Brooklyn and I was in awe with what she does with her voice. 

I am also obsessed with Chuu by Anaiis and Topaz Jones. I'm a sucker for a great female vocal and anyone who has total command over their instrument. Anais knows exactly how to use her voice and it's such a gift.

Finally, Phabo is one to watch! Before I Let Her Go has been in rotation.

FAVOURITE VIDEO

Scream by Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. They are the standard for stage presence and overall pop star x-factor. At 27 years old, this visual still feels futuristic and a testament to the vision of Mark Romanek, Michael, and Janet.

Also, we gotta bring the dance break to music videos!

BEST ARTWORK

The artwork for Janet Jackson's Control: it's just iconic. There's no way you don't stop and look at that if you saw it in a record store or on a billboard. The cover itself is statement.

RECENT CAMPAIGN

Claudia Valentina is a new artist we manage at TAP and we've been working hard on her upcoming EP, which we're putting the finishing touches on. We just dropped the latest single Extra Agenda.

It's really a process building a level of trust and rapport with an artist so that you can get the best out of them and so that they can trust your guidance. 

COLLABORATION

The most recent brand collab that caught my eye was Lizzo's collaboration with Fabletics to launch her own shapewear and atheleisure brand, Yitty. I think it is a perfect integration to her personal brand, which is built on confidence, sex appeal and body positivity.

HOTTEST RECENT VIDEO

For me the most creative and original music video of the past year is Baby Keem x Kendrick Lamar's Family Ties. Music videos have become boring and predictable, this one caught my attention the entire time.

LOGO LOVE

I always thought Madonna's Maverick logo was dope. Using the two bodies to make the M.

GO FOLLOW

The one artist you should follow on Instagram is. Leigh-Anne; she is 1/4 of the best-selling British band Little Mix.

We started working with Leigh on her solo career not too long ago and I'm super excited for everyone to see what she has in store. There's a lot of people in the states who don't know about Little Mix, but they will know about Leigh-Anne when her solo music drops!

ICONIC PHOTO

Easy. Patrick Demarchelier x Janet Jackson 1993 Rolling Stone cover. The cropped headshot became the cover of her 1993 album Janet, but the full body Rolling Stone Cover is legendary. Rest In Peace to Mr. Demarchelier who passed on March 31st, 2022. So many legendary images in his catalog.