HISHAM DAHUD
Music Industry Executive, Educator & Artist
15+ years helping artists, labels, creators, and music companies grow audiences, build careers, and navigate a rapidly changing industry.
Areas of Expertise
Artist Development
Helping artists build sustainable careers and audiences.
Marketing & Growth
Audience development, content strategy, and fan engagement.
Partnerships
Connecting artists, brands, technology platforms, and opportunities.
Education
Teaching artists how to navigate the modern music industry.
Advisory
Strategic guidance for music startups and creator-focused companies.
AMAZING clients leAd to amazing projects
What people are saying.
“Hisham's expertise in digital strategy is only topped by his boundless love of music. In an industry rife with cynicism and burnout, I've never seen his enthusiasm and optimism waver. Always a delight to work with him.”
— Joshua Glazer, Los Angeles
“Hisham has tremendous knowledge of the music business and a modern approach TO MUSIC marketing.”
— Ali Samdpour, Washington D.C.
“I was treading water until Hisham gave me the direction I needed, both theoretically and practically. It was the full-contact approach I needed."
— Spencer Richard, Edmonton, AB, CA
“I'm a better professional because I had the opportunity to work with Hisham. He doesn't need to say much to accurately communicate what you need to hear. HE can change a life with a phrase.”
— Gabe Bo, São Paulo, Brazil
HOW I GOT HERE
I’ve spent the last 20 years building a career at the intersection of artists, technology, education, and the music business.
My journey began in the early days of social media, managing MySpace communities for artists like DJ Shadow and Pretty Lights as the music industry was being reshaped by the internet. That experience eventually led me to Fame House, one of the first major music marketing agencies, where I helped develop digital strategy and audience growth campaigns for artists including Eminem, Pearl Jam, Alicia Keys, and many others. Fame House was later acquired by Universal Music Group.
Since then, I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most respected names in music. For more than a decade, I’ve led marketing and audience development initiatives for acclaimed film composer Tom Holkenborg (Junkie XL), helping build one of the most influential educational platforms in modern film scoring while working across film, technology, publishing, and global entertainment.
Along the way, I’ve remained deeply committed to artist education. I’ve taught music business, marketing, branding, and entrepreneurship at UCLA Extension, ICON Collective, and Musicians Institute, mentoring hundreds of artists as they navigate the realities of building sustainable careers in an ever-changing industry.
At the same time, I’ve built businesses of my own. Through ArtistPro, I’ve worked directly with hundreds of artists, managers, labels, and music companies, helping bridge the gap between creativity, technology, and growth.
I’m also an active artist myself.
Under the name RIŽIK, I’ve released music that has generated more than 100 million streams across platforms, performed internationally, and appeared at major festivals including Coachella. Building an artist project from the ground up has given me firsthand experience with every stage of the creative journey—from songwriting and production to touring, marketing, fan development, partnerships, and long-term career strategy.
These experiences have given me a rare perspective across the entire music ecosystem.
I’ve sat in the rooms of major labels and startups. I’ve worked with global artists and emerging talent. I’ve built audiences, launched campaigns, taught classrooms, advised founders, managed communities, and stood on stage myself.
The result is an A-to-Z understanding of how modern music careers are built—and a passion for helping artists, creators, and music companies navigate what’s next.
