Photo: Steve Peterson
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What if the way we support artists is broken, but the answers have been with us all along? Today on Next Economy Now, we’re joined by Ethiopian-American vocalist, composer, and cultural activist Meklit Hadero to explore how migration shapes music, why the traditional music industry is collapsing, and how collective economic models could be the key to artists' survival.
Drawing from immigrant communities' solidarity-based financial systems, Meklit shares how we can rethink artistic sustainability through cooperation, shared resources, and mutual aid. She also shares the vision behind Movement, her podcast and radio series that uplifts immigrant and refugee musicians while reshaping narratives around migration.
Interspersed with beautiful music, this episode offers insight into the urgent need for alternative economies in the arts, how collaboration can counteract industry decline, and why music is more than just entertainment: it’s a tool for connection, survival, and transformation. Tune in to learn how solidarity economies can help sustain artists and build a future where creative work is valued beyond the market!
Key Points From This Episode:
Meklit’s background as an Ethiopian refugee, her journey into music, and how grassroots arts initiatives shaped her career. [0:01:11]
Ways that traditional music industry models are failing artists and what must change. [0:12:27]
Insight into Movement and lessons from collective models in immigrant communities. [0:16:22]
Collectives like the Soulquarians, who pooled resources to create iconic music. [0:21:22]
Why mutual aid and shared resources are the foundation of culture. [0:26:16]
Ancient technology: the neuroscience of music and its power to create connection. [0:28:32]
The power of being a “generalist,” bridging music, activism, and community-building. [0:32:58]
How Meklit builds relationships and discovers artists for Movement through community-driven connections and ongoing collaboration. [0:34:09]
Movement’s vision to grow its impact and how you can support it. [0:37:29]
Quotes:
“The spaces where life happens is where art should happen.” — @meklitmusic [0:05:39]
“This system is not working. We are heading towards a collapse. We have to be able to restructure, to be more collective about the ways that we distribute risk amongst musicians, – and distribute and collectivize our resources.” — @meklitmusic [0:15:49]
“If you want to feel connected with a group of people, if you want to move together in a common purpose, there is a tool for that and it's – so low tech. – Any solidarity practice can use music to increase [trust and togetherness].” — @meklitmusic [0:30:45]
“I want to see coverage of migration change completely and not be dominated by xenophobic tropes. I want our support of each other and solidarity structures to be seen as what it means to be successful for artists.” — @meklitmusic [0:38:57]
“A big missing piece of the puzzle – is the relationship between immigrants, migrants, refugees, and indigenous communities.” — @meklitmusic [0:40:14]
Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:
Meklit Hadero — https://www.meklitmusic.com/
Movement — https://www.movementstories.com/
Meklit Hadero on Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/meklitmusic/
Meklit Hadero on YouTube — https://www.youtube.com/meklithadero
Meklit Hadero on Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/meklitmusic/
Meklit Hadero on X — https://x.com/meklitmusic
Meklit Hadero on Spotify —https://open.spotify.com/artist/4I5bRwfigd1Fj1ciXo7jQH
Red Poppy Art House — https://redpoppyarthouse.org/
MAPP (Mission Arts Performance Project) — https://mappsf.com/
The Nile Project — http://nileproject.org/
Daniel Levitin — https://www.daniellevitin.com/
Beyond the B Podcast — https://go.lifteconomy.com/beyond
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