Culture, Media, Fashion & Creative Influence
Wendy: Right now, every ounce of my passion and energy is poured into MusicSoul, because I believe we are on the verge of something that will fundamentally reshape how artists experience this industry. The current streaming model is not just flawed, it is deeply unjust. Artists are earning a fraction of a penny per stream, and the idea that someone can pour their entire soul into their craft and barely sustain a living from it is something I refuse to accept. MusicSoul was built to change that reality. We give artists 70% of both streaming and advertising revenues, and we use AI to connect brands with artists in a way that genuinely serves the creator rather than exploiting them. This is deeply personal to me because I believe artists are among the most valuable contributors to our culture, and they deserve to be treated that way. And beyond the platform, I will tell you honestly that giving back is the greatest source of joy in my life. Whether it is through Give Back Entertainment, or the work with the Council of Global Change at the United Nations, using whatever influence I have to lift others up is the most fulfilling thing I have ever done. Kamil: What advice would you give to emerging artists trying to find their unique voice in a crowded music landscape? Wendy: The most important thing I can tell any emerging artist is this: do not chase trends. Discover your own originality. By the time you sign a record deal and release your first single, roughly eight months will have passed, and whatever trend you were following will already feel stale to an audience that has been saturated with it. The artists who endure are the ones who look at the musical landscape, identify what is missing, and then boldly go create the next trend. Fill a void that only you can fill. Ask yourself what the world has not heard yet, what emotion has not been captured, what sound has not been explored, and then pursue that with everything you’ve got. Alongside that creative courage, you must also invest time in understanding the business of music. The artists who succeed in a lasting way are the ones who are as fluent in marketing, branding, and strategy as they are in melody and lyrics. The world does not need another version of an artist that already exists. It needs the one and only version of you.
Kamil: Your journey in the music industry has been remarkable — what was a defining moment early in your career that shaped who you are today? Wendy: There was one night that truly changed the entire trajectory of my life. I was a teenager when Maceo Parker, James Brown’s legendary saxophone player, pulled me up on stage during one of his concerts, and I scatted up there for twenty minutes. When I was done, his bassist got down on one knee, took a string right off his bass guitar, coiled it around my ring finger, hushed the entire crowd, and said into the microphone: “Wendy, from this day forward you are married to music. You have a gift from God. You must devote the rest of your life to using this gift or else you will deprive the world of something so special.” The chills that ran through me in that moment were unlike anything I had ever felt. It was written up in the newspapers the next day. And right there, in front of that audience, I made an unshakeable decision to devote my entire life to music. That night did not just inspire me. It ignited something permanent inside of me that has never gone out. Kamil: You’ve worked with artists across genres and at different stages — what qualities do you look for when identifying raw talent? Wendy: What I am searching for, above everything else, is a voice and a live performance that stops you in your tracks. Not just a pleasant singer, but someone whose voice is so distinctive, so commanding, that you genuinely cannot take your eyes off of them. That quality is something you feel in your entire body the moment you hear it. Now, I want to be clear about something important: many extraordinary singers are not great songwriters, and that is absolutely fine. Songwriting is a different skill set and can be developed over time. What cannot be manufactured is that rare combination of vocal power, stage presence, and an almost magnetic ability to hold a room. Beyond the artistry itself, the artists who truly ascend are the ones who possess an unrelenting work ethic, the ability to receive constructive criticism gracefully, and a deep understanding of how to tell their story to the world. Talent opens the door, but it is that complete package that walks through it and stays. Kamil: You are a multi-faceted artist — songwriter, singer, visual artist, founder of an innovative music platform, and even a supermodel. Which area are you focusing on now, and what brings you the most happiness today?
DAVOS CLUB 61
Powered by FlippingBook