“Culture Shift: Looking to the Next Generation to Keep Music Alive”

The new generation of artists, executives, and professionals approach every aspect of music very differently than the past. From the Napster days and the streaming revolution up to A.I., technological evolution continues to hammer away at a system in need of a full refresh. Fortunately, these savvy up-and-comers are embracing the many opportunities from all this constant change. They welcome the seismic shifts that continue to shock the industry and are leading the way toward new approaches and mindsets. Let’s hear from the rising wave of today’s movers and shakers to learn what it takes to keep the music industry alive and vibrant for tomorrow.

Moderator:
Diane Snyder Ramirez | Senior Application Consultant, Vistex Rights & Royalties

Panelists:
Anthony “ADP” De Padua | Sr. Vice President of Digital, PULSE Records
Brian Popowitz | General Manager, Black Box
Sparkle | DJ, Producer, Recording Artist
YOYOKA | Drummer, Recording Artist

Questions? Email is at questions@theccc.org

Biographies

Diane Snyder Ramirez | Senior Application Consultant, Vistex Rights & Royalties

Diane Snyder-Ramirez has over 25 years of experience with copyright administration and royalties. She is currently a Senior Application Consultant at Vistex where she assists music and entertainment royalty software users. Prior to Vistex, she was Vice President, Royalty Accounting and Administration for Royalty Review Council, an independent music royalty administration organization. Diane was responsible for managing a number of boutique and large independent record label accounts handling many different types of royalty accounting including record/artist royalties, mechanicals, profit split accounting and had pioneered the processing of a variety of newer income streams.

Prior to her current position, Diane was a music consultant as well as an advocate for digital music rights issues. She was a key team member in the development of a rights administration and royalty system for one of the largest online US music service providers. Additionally, Diane worked closely with her clientele to prepare for Senate Judiciary Committee Hearings on digital rights presenting extensive research and documentation. Previously, Diane was Director of Member Relations for ASCAP (NY), and played a role in furthering several of the department’s outreach programs, increased membership and handling high-profile clientele. She began her music career at CMJ and was responsible for the launch of CMJ Canada, the first weekly college radio trade publication in the Canadian market.

A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, Diane holds a BA in radio, television and film. She is currently a board advisor and past president of the California Copyright Conference and speaks at industry events and universities.

Anthony “ADP” De Padua | Sr. Vice President of Digital, PULSE Records

Anthony De Padua is a music industry veteran with a career spanning 10+ years, touching projects that have achieved both the pinnacle of commercial & critical success. Starting with Atlantic Records International department in 2014, De Padua moved over to the Digital team in 2016, where his highly decorated career in the field began. With Atlantic, De Padua worked on projects like Cardi B’s Grammy award winning album, Invasion of Privacy, Portugal the Man’s 7x platinum single “Feel it Still”, & Burna Boy’s cultural classic: African Giant.

At the top 2020, De Padua left Atlantic to Join RCA Records, where he would rise to VP of Digital. During his 5 years w/RCA, De Padua played a pivotal role in the growth of female rap superstar Latto, including multi-platinum singles “Big Energy”, “Put it on Da Floor”, & “Bitch from Da Souf”. In addition to Latto, De Padua worked on Steve Lacy’s Grammy award winning album, Gemini Rights, including the Billboard #1 hit “Bad Habit”, Wizkid & Tems’ history making “Essence”, & Young Nudy’s viral sensation “Peaches & Eggplants.” Where De Padua has gone, innovative digital marketing & success has followed.

At the top of 2025, De Padua left the major label system entirely, joining the growing team at Pulse Records as SVP of Digital. Looking to help continue the massive year Pulse saw in 2024, the savvy veteran got to work fast, scoring an early win for the indie label with Tommy Richman’s “Actin Up”. Utilizing a mix of viral click bait internet moments & a heavy distribution of easy to digest TikTok content, the team was able to yield great results for Richman’s latest offering, while De Padua was able to hit the ground running with his new home. With the ever changing landscape of the music industry, De Padua is thrilled to be with a team that has shown first hand they can move as quick as necessary to optimize a viral moment in real time, but concurrently still prioritize the growth & development of an artist.

Brian Popowitz | General Manager, Black Box

Brian Popowitz is the General Manager at Black Box, a modern music marketing agency that develops, grows and breaks artists through digital branding, strategy and partnerships.

Under his stewardship, Black Box builds audience and clear path to revenue.  The company works with music managers, record labels, publishers and music supervisors to create new revenue streams and forge new partnerships throughout an artist’s development.

Popowitz began his career in music while completing a self-designed BA in “Music Industry & Society” at the University of Maryland in College Park, MD. Working up from internships, street team work and DJing, Popowitz eventually established himself as a digital marketing guru at a number of major and independent labels including Geffen/Universal, Drive-Thru Records and Nettwerk. In 2011, he became the Director of Digital Marketing at Warner Bros. Records, where he met Black Box founder and CEO Livia Tortella.

Brian is a marketing executive whose work redefines the role of artist management and branding in the digital age. He is a resource for all things related to digital media and data analytics, with the technical know-how and creativity to execute new ideas and strategies.

Sparkle | DJ, Producer, Recording Artist

Sparkle is a Los Angeles–based DJ, producer, and recording artist whose career spans touring, film premieres, award shows, and major brand activations. A Billboard-featured artist and Avid Pro Tools–certified producer, she is known for her high-energy performances and versatility across live events, music production, and media platforms.

She has toured nationally and internationally with That Girl Lay Lay and Silento, including performances in the Virgin Islands, and has opened for Missy Elliott, Saweetie, T-Pain, and Kendrick Lamar.

Her work includes DJing film premieres for Disney’s Spin, Transformers, Mission: Impossible, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Smurfs. She has partnered with Disney, Apple, Netflix Animation, Amazon Music, Microsoft, Meta, JBL, Nickelodeon, Universal Music Group, the Recording Academy, and Billboard Women in Music.

She is also an intern at SiriusXM working with Sway Calloway and Heather B on Sway in the Morning, mentors young girls through Girls Make Beats, and has studied entertainment law at UCLA.
Sparkle represents a new generation of artists—versatile, industry-savvy, and committed to both artistry and impact.

YOYOKA | Drummer, Recording Artist

YOYOKA is a drummer from Japan who just turned 17 in October. She started playing drums at 18 months old and began performing live at the age of 4. At 8 years old, her drum cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Good Times Bad Times” gained international attention when it was praised by Robert Plant. She has appeared twice on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and is the youngest drummer ever listed among the “World’s Top 500 Drummers” by Drummerworld. She was also the youngest person ever included in Newsweek Japan’s “100 Japanese People the World Respects.” She has performed with artists such as Cyndi Lauper, Tom Morello, Alex Lifeson (Rush), Geezer Butler (Black Sabbath), Fall Out Boy, and Jack Black.

At age 8, she signed endorsement deals with Pearl, Zildjian, and VIC FIRTH. She recorded 18 tracks for the Final Fantasy Pixel Remaster video game series and has appeared in global commercial campaigns for Nike, Moncler, and UNIQLO. In September 2022, she moved to the United States with her family to further pursue her passion for drumming and music; her family left their jobs, gave up their home, and ended their relationship with her Japanese agency—making many sacrifices to take this uncertain, no-guarantee leap. She later relocated to Los Angeles in June 2023 to focus more seriously on her career. In 2024, she signed an endorsement deal with drum manufacturer Ludwig.

She is currently active in around ten bands and projects across different genres/ With the band featuring Jack Black, her special video appearance at Ozzy Osbourne’s final concert, “Back to the Beginning,” in Birmingham, UK became a major talking point, and in 2026 she performed at the Power to the People Festival, sharing the stage with Black Sabbath original member Geezer Butler to a packed crowd. With the jazz fusion band Ken Okada Group ft. YOYOKA, she has performed at numerous festivals including in Europe and has released three original albums to date. In her four-member family rock band, she also performed the national anthem at a Dodgers game this year. She released her solo debut album, “For Teen,” in October 2024, featuring collaborations with Narada Michael Walden, members of Jamiroquai, and Marco Mendoza.

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