J. Erving on RAYE, independent artists, and selling Human Re Sources to Sony Music

Welcome to the latest Music Business Worldwide Podcast, supported by Voly Entertainment.

Joining MBW founder, Tim Ingham, on this podcast is Julius Erving III, better known as J. Erving.

Erving is the founder of Los Angeles-based Human Re Sources, a distribution and services company working with premium independent artists. Its successful clients since launch have included Brent Faiyiz, Pinks Sweats, Ant Clemons, and YBN Nahmir.

Right now, though, people are focusing on Human Re Sources for one artist more than any other: RAYE. 

In February 2024, two years after that signing to Human Re Sources, RAYE swept the UK’s BRIT Awards, with a record-breaking six wins including Album Of The Year.

There is, then, lots to ask J Erving about the success of independent artists like RAYE – and what that reflects about the wider music business.

On this podcast, we also ask him about his previous life as an artist manager, his personal motivations, and his decision in 2020 to sell Human Re Sources to Sony Music and The Orchard.