Meet Claire Osman | Artist & Label Manager

We had the good fortune of connecting with Claire Osman and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Claire, what’s the most important lesson your business/career has taught you?

The main takeaway I have learned on my career journey is to honor myself. In business and on your career path, stay true to what feels authentic to you. When other opinions and judgements seek to discourage you from following your passions, lean in to the intuitive knowledge of who you are, and that drive that is leading you to your higher purpose. Take the time to sit with yourself and really get to know yourself. Be clear on your strengths and your “weaknesses”. With awareness, we can lean in to our strengths and amplify our positive contributions, and seek support without guilt or shame for areas that may not be our strong suit. By intentionally pursuing your goals and acting in alignment with your core values, you honor yourself, and for me that is the true measure of success.

I take this same approach with the artists and projects I manage. It isn’t just about streaming numbers or view counts for me. What is most important is the message being shared, and the authenticity. Allowing space for real connection to be made, and the overarching goal of spreading music that is powerful, spiritual, vulnerable, and that elevates the human consciousness.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

I work as an Artist Manager and Record Label Manager.

As Artist Manager, I oversee every component of the artist’s business from the recording and release of music, to bookings and touring, publishing, performance and live event execution, contract negotiations, merchandising, community outreach initiatives, brand partnerships, etc.

As Record Label Manager, I oversee label operations and all projects associated with the artists signed to the label. I manage budgets and campaign timelines while overseeing all the moving parts of the album campaign, working collaboratively with the various teams on all areas. This includes mapping out, coordinating and monitoring release schedules; preparing, planning and managing marketing, promotional and media strategy campaigns; overseeing the creative teams for music video shoots, photo shoots, product design and manufacturing, merchandising, and all other creative elements; coordinating pitches and distribution strategies, and serving as contact for the roster of artists on the label.

My passion emerged as a teen, working summer holidays and weekends at an entertainment agency in Kingston, Jamaica, and by 18 I knew I wanted to work as a Product Manager at a Record Label. I moved to New York City, I interned at record labels during a gap year from school, and also whilst at university. I expanded my knowledge into video production and content creation. I became a connector between international producers and artists wanting to collaborate with Jamaican artists and musicians on their records. I worked to facilitate recording camps. In 2009, I moved back to Jamaica, and continued to work on an array of music, film and video projects, before settling into a job doing events.

These years allowed me to develop a range of skills and knowledge across several positions, all of which have benefitted me as my career has now come full circle to Artist and Record Label Management, a position I have now held for the past 8 years.

In my career, I have been directly involved with the release of records by several amazingly talented recording artists, including Protoje, Mortimer, Lila Iké, Jaz Elise, Samory I, Sevana, Major Lazer, and more.

Two of these albums by Protoje earned Grammy-nominations from the Recording Academy for Best Reggae Album in 2018 and 2022, both special moments in my professional career, and for which I am credited as Label & Product Manager.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?

I live in Jamaica. There are so many special places that I would recommend, but these would be my top MUST Do’s:

– A hot cup of Blue Mountain Coffee at Strawberry Hill Hotel whilst watching the sun set over Kingston. The most majestic property located up in the Blue Mountains, 3000+ feet above sea level, with stunning views of Kingston and the surrounding mountains. Also steeped in rich musical history, the property is owned by music mogul Chris Blackwell, and is where Bob Marley convalesced after being shot in 1976.

– Escoveitch Fish and Garlic Lobster, with bammy and festival at Screechie’s in Hellshire Beach – the BEST! *Chef’s kiss*

– A live concert or street dance – Jamaica is always buzzing with nightlife – You have to take in a live performance or check out the unique experience that is a Jamaican street dance. And if you happen to visit during Carnival season, a fete and road march!

– Kingston Creative Art Walk Festival – A monthly festival in Downtown, Kingston that explores the amazing murals in our street art district, with performances and local crafts for sale.

– Bob Marley Museum – tour of the legendary musician’s home.

– A day at Frenchman’s Cove in Portland – the most beautiful beach, with a fresh water river flowing into it. Followed by a jump into The Blue Lagoon nearby.

– Boat ride to Floyd’s Pelican Bar in Treasure Beach.

– A couple night’s stay on the West End cliffs of Negril. There’s something so special about West End Negril. The jagged cliffs that drop into the deep turquoise waters below. The sounds of the waves. Watching the deep orange sky as the sun dips below the horizon. You can’t help but feel so fortunate and so very blessed in that space.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

When I reflect on the support, mentorship and influence of others on my journey, there are several people that immediately come to mind. Some persons who have stood steadfast in my corner and loudly cheered me on at every step of the way. And others who may have been role models or influences for only a short period of time but whose impact was profound and instrumental to me.

Foremost, is the immeasurable and unwavering support of my parents, who have encouraged me, guided me, provided for me, had faith in me, and always allowed me to be ME, even when I wasn’t quite sure who that was. For the traits that they have modelled for me over the years – hard work, dedication, ambition, risk-taking, integrity. So much of who I am, and the paths I have been able to explore, I owe to them for all the ways they have poured into me.

Mr. Chris Blackwell, whose influence and legendary career, sparked my interest and ignited my passion for a career in the music industry. It has been a privilege to grow up in the spaces that Mr. Blackwell has created, rich with musical legacy, and to have witnessed many a magical moment that allowed me to recognize the universal value and importance of music within the human experience.

Sharon Burke – Artist manager, booking agent, event promoter, and all around BOSS LADY. When I was 16 years of age, Sharon took me under her wing and allowed me to shadow her as she ran her agency, which remains one of the leading entertainment companies in Jamaica. I immediately dived into a full range of industry roles, learning about management, bookings, promotions, concert production, touring, and more. The work experience and wealth of knowledge I gained during those formative years have been priceless, and represented the first firm steps I took in the direction of my music industry career.

Other names that immediately come to mind are those who provided opportunities or a marked mentoring role during my internships and early jobs with various record labels in New York City: Randy Acker at Def Jam Records, Greg Diaz at Full Surface Records, Peter Bittenbender and Alma Lacour at Decon Records.

Maxine Walters – another legendary force of a woman within the Jamaican creative industries, who offered me the opportunity to further my skill set and expand my knowledge in film and video production within the role of production coordinator for numerous high-profile, culturally relevant shoots. Being well-versed in film and video production has served me well in my career, and a personal career highlight of mine is co-writing the treatment and producing the music video for Mortimer’s hit song “Lightning”, which currently has over 20M views on YouTube.

Of course, all the artists and producers who have called on me and trusted me with the structure and management of their careers/record labels, and their works of art. Protoje, Lila Iké, Mortimer, Jaz Elise, Sevana, Samory I.. and clients such as Major Lazer, Toddla T, Winta James, Dre Skull, The Teddybears, Young Pow and Dukes Of Roots. It is the highest honor to work alongside these messengers; to bring my skill set into the mix and together align in purpose.

Lorna Bennett who has guided our team at In.Digg.Nation Collective with such thoroughness and professionalism over the years.

My core group of friends – who rally behind me, cheer me on, lift me up, acknowledge my achievements, hold space for me. It is so important to have a support system.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairesk1es/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claireosman/