Meet Jacq Cerra — the visionary CEO and founder of Urban Beat Wave, a music tech company revolutionizing artist development. With over 100 charting records and deep-rooted industry experience, Jacq is on a mission to flip the traditional music power dynamic and empower independent creatives to thrive without gatekeepers.
1. Hi Jacq, can you introduce yourself and tell us what you do?
“Hi, my name is Jacq Cerra. I’m the founder of Urban Beat Wave, a music tech and artist development company built to give independent artists the same resources major labels use without the gatekeeping. I’ve helped chart over 100 records and secured partnerships with companies like Empire, The Orchard, and Warner. Right now, I’m focused on building software tools that automate music marketing and artist development so artists can scale without relying on outdated industry systems. My mission is to flip the power dynamic in music and give creatives full control over their careers.”
2. How did your journey in this field begin?ians or artists have inspired you the most?
“My journey started from a real frustration with how limited the music industry can be for independent artists. I’ve always been deep in the music world — managing artists, doing A&R, negotiating deals — but I kept seeing the same patterns. Gatekeepers. Bad contracts. Artists stuck with no direction. So I started building Urban Beat Wave to fix that. I used my background in artist development and music marketing to help artists get results that labels usually only give to signed acts. Over time, that grew into a full agency, and now it’s turning into a tech platform. I’ve worked with all three major labels, charted over 100 records, and now I’m focused on scaling the systems I built — so artists don’t have to wait for anyone’s permission to win.”
3. Who or what has influenced your work the most?
“A lot of my influence comes from watching how major labels operate behind the scenes. Not because I wanted to copy them, but because I wanted to break their model and build something better. I’ve worked closely with artists, producers, and executives from places like Empire and Warner. Seeing how the industry works at the top level taught me exactly what independent artists are missing. But honestly, the people who have influenced my work the most are the artists I’ve helped. The ones with all the talent in the world but no access, no strategy, and no support. Everything I build is for them. They are the reason I started Urban Beat Wave, and they are the reason I’m focused on building tools that replace outdated industry systems.”
4. How do you stay motivated during difficult times?
I stay motivated by knowing the impact my work has on real artists. When I see an independent artist go from being overlooked to charting, building real income, or finally feeling like they have control over their career, that drives me. I also remind myself that I’m building something bigger than just a company. I’m creating tools and systems that can outlast me and shift the entire industry. Even on the hard days, I know what I’m doing matters. That’s what keeps me going.
5. How do you define success in your field?
“I define success by how much power and freedom I can help artists take back. It’s not just about streams or chart positions. It’s about ownership, sustainability, and independence. If an artist can wake up and know they’re in full control of their brand, their money, and their career because of the systems I built, that’s success to me. The industry was built to make artists dependent. I’m here to do the opposite.
6. How do you balance creativity and business?
I don’t treat them like opposites. Creativity is what makes the business work, and the business is what allows the creativity to scale. I build systems that let artists focus on creating while making sure everything behind the scenes is moving strategically. For me, it’s about structure and vision. I use business to protect the art, to monetize it, and to make sure it reaches the right people. Without that balance, you’re either broke with great ideas or rich with nothing that means anything. I’m trying to build a world where you can have both.”
7. How do you keep up with trends or changes in your industry?
I stay tapped in by being active on the ground level and behind the scenes. I watch what independent artists are doing, what content is working, and how platforms are shifting. I also pay attention to what the major players are investing in and what tools labels are using. I test everything myself before I recommend it to others. Whether it’s new tech, new sounds, or new strategies, I stay ahead by staying involved. The industry moves fast, but I move faster because I’m not just watching trends. I’m building the future around the
8. What do you wish more people understood about your work?
“I wish more people understood that what I do isn’t just about marketing or management. It’s about building real infrastructure for artists who’ve been shut out of the system. I’m not just running campaigns or dropping content. I’m creating tools that give artists ownership, strategy, and long-term growth. A lot of people still think success in music is about luck or going viral. But what I do is about control. It’s about making sure artists don’t have to depend on labels, managers, or algorithms to win.”
9. Any last words or message you’d like to share with our readers?
“Yeah. I’d just say don’t wait for the industry to figure you out. Build your own platform, find your voice, and stay consistent. Whether you’re an artist or an entrepreneur, the future belongs to the people who create their own lane. That’s what I’m doing with Urban Beat Wave, and that’s what I want to help others do too.”
10. Is there anyone you would like to thank?
“I want to thank every artist who trusted me early on, even before I had the platform I have now. They believed in the vision when it was just an idea. I also want to thank my team — the people behind Urban Beat Wave who show up every day to help make this bigger than just a company. And honestly, I’ve got to thank the people who doubted me too. That pressure made me sharper. It reminded me why I do this.”
Follow Jacq Cerra on Instagram: @ufomgmt
React with emojis!
EN 
TR