The UK’s Association of Independent Music (AIM) has appointed Esta Rae as its new Senior Events Manager to drive vision and strategy across its programme of events, conferences and the AIM Independent Music Awards.

Bringing with her a depth of knowledge and over 10 years of experience, including work in grime and hip-hop events and artist management, Esta’s appointment will further extend the reach and appeal of AIM’s events programme. This will be instrumental in the organisation’s continued drive to widen its scope, increase the diversity of its audience and include previously unserved music communities.

Esta will lead on strategic vision and management of AIM’s Independent Music Awards ceremony, which champions independent music and the businesses that drive it, as well as the organisation’s wider conference and events programme, including AIM Connected, AIM Sync, and Future Independents. She will also oversee AIM’s involvement with wider industry conferences, including partnership events such as this year’s Liverpool Sound City and The Great Escape.

Esta has worked with major brands, including various projects with leading UK grime and hip-hop outlet and entertainment platform GRM Daily on its podcasts and flagship events, including the 2017 and 2018 Rated Awards, and 2020 and 2021 GRM Galas.

Esta has been a key player in launching The Originals Festival, which is now in its second year and attracts over 4000 annual attendees. Her other experience includes projects with the Black Entertainment Television network on the BET Awards, and with Island Records on Da Come Up, a talent show for up-and-coming hip-hop and R&B artists judged by music professionals Julie Adenuga, Posty, Sincere, and Alex Boateng.

Having acquired a Master’s degree in Music Business Management in 2019, she has worked alongside major names in UK rap, such as DJ Semtex, Giggs and Steel Banglez. Esta also runs her own independent talent and event management business, No Limit Management, where she currently co-manages social media personality Very Vee Brown with Since ‘93 entertainment company.

​​Esta commented: “Events are a major part of entertainment so being appointed in this role, I want to push the boundaries in terms of how events are delivered, visualised and captured by the onlooker and those involved. My whole career has been centred around the independent community.The artists and entrepreneurs are recognised but I want to make sure the scale is made even wider and ensure the diverse audiences and community are commended for the value that they continue to add.”

Paul Pacifico, CEO at AIM, added: “We are all delighted to welcome Esta on board and look forward to utilising her invaluable years of experience in events management. Rooted in independent music, her background helping to promote and celebrate diverse communities and culture brings a specialist knowledge that will help AIM realise our vision to further strengthen the events programme.”

About AIM (Association of Independent Music)
AIM is the not-for-profit organisation representing and supporting the UK’s independent music community, which makes up over a quarter of the UK’s recorded music market. Now in its 22nd year, AIM’s members range from the largest, most-respected record labels and associated music businesses in the world to DIY or self-releasing artists and the next generation of entrepreneurs in music - including 4AD, Black Acre, CTRL Music, Dirty Hit, Domino Recording Co, Hospital Records, Killing Moon Group, FAMM, Ninja Tune, Numbers, Transgressive, Secretly Canadian, Supernature, Warp, and XL Recordings.
AIM exists to level the playing field for UK independent music businesses – the beating heart of music - and provides access to the knowledge and contacts creative entrepreneurs need to create, build and win. AIM supports its members, not only through the difficult times, but also on a day-to-day level with practical support that makes a real difference to their lives and work, helping them take their businesses to the next level.