Goar B is looking for talented songwriters with strong DAW programming and arranging skills for his HITMACHER songwriting collective.
Goar B is the mastermind and music producer behind the worldwide hit “Mambo No. 5”. With more than 70 Gold and Platinum Awards in over 40 countries, he is one of Germany’s most successful music producers and composers.
Together with Goar B and his team, selected songwriters will develop songs for international top artists and arrange them in the DAW.
HITMACHER is looking for creative and reliable partners with excellent DAW skills who can adapt their songwriting, arrangements and productions to the individual style and sound of each artist.
A University of Chicago study on mass-produced AI music raises a much bigger question for the music industry: in an age of infinite content, could artist development and human curation become more valuable than ever?
For years, parts of the music industry have gradually been replacing artist development with data, algorithms, formulas and, now, the possibility of producing thousands of songs through Artificial Intelligence. The implicit promise seems to be: if we produce enough music, statistically, some of it will eventually become a hit.
This study conducted by researchers at the University of Chicago reveals the limitations of that logic. The overwhelming majority of the AI-generated music analyzed shows extremely low levels of engagement. Even more interestingly, when one of these tracks does gain some traction, it demonstrates a significantly lower ability to carry that success over to subsequent releases. This reminds us of something that has always been at the heart of A&R: audiences do not connect with songs alone. They connect with artists, stories, identities, emotions and cultural worlds.
True A&R has never simply been about finding a song that “sounds like a hit.” It is about identifying artistic personality, repertoire, interpretation, originality and, above all, something that cannot easily be replicated.
Perhaps we are reaching a point where the infinite abundance of music makes human curation even more important. When anyone — or any machine — can produce thousands of tracks, producing more is no longer a competitive advantage. The difference once again lies in having something to say.
This does not mean rejecting Artificial Intelligence. AI can be an extraordinary creative tool in the hands of musicians, songwriters and producers. The study itself makes an important distinction between the legitimate use of AI as a creative tool and the mass production of AI-generated music.
For me, the message is different: perhaps it is time to recover something the industry has gradually begun to lose — developing real artists again. Finding people with personality, talent, repertoire and artistic potential; encouraging them to interact and collaborate with great songwriters, musicians and producers; allowing them to experiment, make mistakes, discover their own sound and build an identity.
Fewer songs designed to feed algorithms. More songs capable of moving people.
Perhaps the future of music, paradoxically, lies in recovering what has always made music meaningful: the artisanal, spontaneous, imperfect and profoundly human process of creating something capable of connecting with another human being.
From concert promoter to creative right consultant, this edition spotlights four Music2Deal professionals actively shaping the international music business.
Each brings deep expertise, regional insight, and a strong track record of collaboration.
Béco Dranoff – Music Producer & Cultural Curator | Sao Paulo, Brazil
Béco Dranoff is a Brazilian-American award-winning music producer, curator, and cultural executive with over 25 years of experience in international music production, artist development, and cultural exchange, specializing in promoting Brazilian music to global audiences.
Based in New York, Béco has built a career across A&R, record production, festival curation, music supervision, and cultural programming. He co-founded Ziriguiboom Discos with Belgium’s Crammed Discs and later founded Brasil Discos, playing a key role in introducing Brazilian artists to international markets. Throughout his career, he has collaborated with leading artists and institutions, developing extensive expertise in cross-cultural music projects and global audience engagement.
As the A&R executive and co-producer of Bebel Gilberto’s first three Grammy-nominated albums, and music supervisor for the Academy Award-nominated documentary How to Survive a Plague, Béco continues to lead projects that strengthen connections between Brazilian music, culture, and international creative industries.
Dino Sirius – Music Producer & Songwriter | France
Dino Sirius is a multi-platinum, double-diamond-certified music producer, songwriter, and artist with expertise in pop music production, songwriting, and cross-genre collaboration across R&B, hip-hop, dance, house, and soul.
Based in Paris, Dino has built a career spanning songwriting, recording, vocal performance, and music production. With more than 13 million records sold, he has collaborated with a wide range of artists, developing commercially successful projects while combining creative versatility with a contemporary production approach. Over the years, he has established strong experience in crafting distinctive sounds that resonate with diverse audiences and international markets.
As a producer, composer, lyricist, and vocalist, Dino continues to support artists throughout the creative process, from songwriting and recording to final production, while helping develop music with lasting commercial and artistic impact.
Basta Shakwane – Music Executive & Artist Development Leader | South Africa
Basta Shakwane is a music executive and founder of Paragon Music Entertainment, with expertise in artist development, management, and strategic business growth within the African music industry.
Leading the independent South African company, Basta oversees talent development, rights administration, commercial partnerships, and business operations, while fostering sustainable career opportunities for emerging and established artists. Through his leadership, he has developed strong experience in building professional structures that support long-term artistic and commercial success across local and international markets.
As the creator of The Paragon Way™, Basta continues to champion ethical leadership, accountability, and excellence, while empowering artists and music industry professionals with the knowledge, resources, and opportunities needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving global music landscape.
Sonya Gregory-Hayes – Artist Manager & Music Executive | USA
Sonya Gregory-Hayes is an artist manager and music executive with expertise in artist development, strategic partnerships, music licensing, and career growth within the independent music sector.
As co-founder of Sawyer Basement Records and manager of R&B singer-songwriter Nikki Hayes through LNJ Entertainment, Sonya has developed strong experience in expanding artist visibility through television, live performances, media opportunities, and sync placements. With more than 20 years of experience in sales, marketing, and public relations, she has built expertise in creating strategic campaigns, securing national exposure, and supporting artists through key stages of their professional development.
Through Sawyer Basement Records, Sonya continues to cultivate partnerships that empower independent R&B artists while fostering sustainable growth, creative collaboration, and long-term value within the global music industry.
➡️ Want to grow your network and be featured? Join Music2Deal — the exclusive business network with 18,000+ proven music professionals from around the world. Whether you’re an artist, label, publisher, producer, or manager — create your profile, share your music offers, and discover new opportunities. You could be next in our spotlight.
