Joe Kelley

Manager, Mentor · United States

About

Bio

Founder & Artist Manager | Radio Host | Event Curator Joe Kelley is an innovative force in the music industry, with over 13 years of hands-on experience in artist management, media, events, and brand-building. As the Founder and Artist Manager of BLCKJEANS MGMT, Joe is dedicated to discovering, managing, and developing talent, helping emerging artists grow their careers and secure impactful opportunities. His company, based in Brooklyn, NY, focuses on empowering musicians by handling business operations, booking shows, managing creative content, assembling release teams, and securing press coverage. Joe is committed to turning BLCKJEANS into a household name across the music industry. In addition to his management work, Joe is the host of Fascination Beat, a weekly online radio show airing Thursdays at 4 PM on Radio Free Brooklyn. The show features exclusive interviews with rising and established artists, delving into the stories behind their work and journeys. Joe’s conversations have spotlighted artists such as Sid Simons, Thunder Jackson, Pan Arcadia, and many others. Joe also curates Industry Nights, a monthly music meet-up and artist showcase at Freehold Brooklyn. Since 2018, this series has connected industry professionals, tastemakers, and fans while featuring performances from renowned acts like Noah Kahan, Kim Petras, and Chloe x Halle. Industry Nights provides a platform for new artists to perform, network, and grow, fostering a vibrant, collaborative community. Previously, Joe served as Executive Director of Artist Relations at Billboard, overseeing talent relations across editorial, events, content, and more. In this role, he forged strategic partnerships and led creative initiatives to align artists with Billboard’s brand. A key highlight of his tenure was curating and producing Billboard’s annual two-day music festival in partnership with Live Nation, where he managed all aspects of marketing, creative direction, talent booking, and production. Collaborating with sales and partnerships teams, Joe helped secure sponsorship deals and sold out the festival with 20,000 attendees per day. Throughout his journey, Joe has remained resilient, overcoming challenges to pursue his passion for music. His experience spans event curation, artist development, and brand partnerships, making him a sought-after figure for artists and industry professionals alike. Today, he continues to amplify emerging talent, foster connections, and build dynamic spaces for music to thrive.

www.blckjeans.com ·

They want to receive...

Genres

Alternative rock

Electronic rock

Indie Dance

Indie rock

Industrial music

New wave

Post punk

Punk Rock

Shoegaze

Synthwave
Attributes

Available on Spotify

BIPOC artist

On stage experience

Female artist

International potential

Male artist

Queer artist

Strong social media presence

Supported artist

Unsigned artist

Upcoming project

They are also open to receiving...

Genres

Coldwave

Experimental rock

Synthpop
Attributes

Sync-friendly

Synths

They don't want to receive...

Genres

Chill / Lo-fi Hip-Hop

Cloud Rap / Hip Hop

Commercial / Mainstream

Drill/Jersey

Dub

Grime

Hip-hop

Instrumental hip-hop

International rap

K-pop / J-pop

Latin Pop

Pop rock

Pop soul

Progressive pop

Psychedelic pop

Rap in English

French rap

Reggae

Trap

Not sure which genre(s) suits your music style? Check out our genres cheatsheet!

They want to receive music similar to…

Services

Services for Emerging Artists 1. Artist Management & Development Career strategy and personalized goal-setting Building artist identity and brand positioning Securing record deals, publishing, and sponsorships Organizing tours, local shows, and industry showcases Developing long-term release strategies (singles, EPs, albums) 2. Talent Booking & Show Production Booking live performances and tours Coordinating venue negotiations and contracts Producing and curating showcases, meet-ups, and festivals Securing key performance opportunities at high-profile events 3. Music Promotion & PR Securing press features, interviews, and editorial placements Crafting EPKs (Electronic Press Kits) and press releases Coordinating media campaigns (digital, radio, and TV) Pitching artists to tastemakers, playlists, and influencers 4. Creative Direction & Content Development Overseeing photoshoots, music videos, and visual branding Social media strategy (content calendars, fan engagement, and growth) Connecting artists with graphic designers, videographers, and photographers Storyboarding music videos and creative promotional campaigns 5. Studio & Music Production Services Connecting artists with producers, engineers, and studios Overseeing recording sessions and creative collaboration Planning release timelines for singles, albums, and videos Pitching music for sync licensing opportunities (film, TV, games)