Within the following 3 years, Atlanta will certainly organize 2 significant showing off occasions at Mercedes-Benz Arena: 8 video games of the 2026 FIFA Globe Mug and Super Dish LXII in 2028. These destinations will certainly supply the most recent possibility for the city to advertise itself to an international target market. Yet in numerous methods, Atlanta has actually constantly been doing this.
The city’s songs scene has actually prospered for years, with musicians such as Outkast, Usher and Youthful Hooligan producing worldwide hits and boosting Atlanta as their home. Various other acts, from Nigerian American Afrobeats celebrity Davido to British pop symbol Elton John, have actually likewise called the city home. And pop celebrities consisting of Beyoncé and Tyla have actually been understood to check out several of its cutting edge recording workshops to collaborate with regional manufacturers such as Tricky Stewart.
Given that the very early 2000s, the city’s popularity for its music exports has actually been measured up to just by its arising online reputation as a film/TV manufacturing center. Many thanks to Georgia’s movie tax obligation reward, Atlanta is home to Tyler Perry Studios and Trilith Studios and has actually worked as a shooting area for Wonder’s Black Panther, Netflix’s Complete Stranger Points and much more.
Atlanta has actually long prospered at the nexus of company and society, as well, many thanks to organizations like the Atlanta College Facility– the consortium of traditionally Black institution of higher learnings (HBCU) that consists of Spelman, Morehouse and Clark Atlanta– and services such as The Home Depot, Delta and Coca-Cola.
Songs execs within Atlanta have actually born in mind of all this and intend to maintain structure off the city’s ongoing success. Below’s what they need to state regarding the future of songs and company in Atlanta.
A Home Entertainment Area Support
” Atlanta is flourishing, and the city looks entirely various than it did 5 years earlier,” Live Country Georgia chairman Peter Conlon claims. “From Michelin-star dining establishments to a wave of brand-new resorts and live locations, the development is obvious. A significant current landmark is Online Country’s statement of a brand-new 5,300-seat cinema in Midtown as component of the Centennial Yards growth. It’s readied to be the support of a rejuvenated amusement area in the heart of the city.”
Where to Go: “The Habitation and Synovus Financial Institution Amphitheater at Chastain Park are 2 of my faves. Both are renowned, distinctively Atlanta locations with amazing background.”
‘ A Game-Changer’
” Atlanta still drives hip-hop society– noise, design and impact,” claims Pierre “P” Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of Quality Assurance. “It’s not in the past, it’s right currently. Quality assurance’s brand-new 60,000-square-foot head office is a game-changer– circulation, administration, workshops, podcast spaces, movie and television all under one roof covering. It’s a large financial investment in Atlanta’s future and sustaining the imaginative neighborhood below.”
Where to Go: “Hectic genuine spirit food. Cheetah for an ambiance: late-night and premium eating.”.
‘ A Huge Innovator’
” Atlanta has actually been a huge trailblazer and influencer in hip-hop and R&B for years,” claims lawyer Bernie Lawrence-Watkins, creator and chief executive officer of B. Lawrence Watkins & & Associates. “It is the home of catch, crunk and break songs that has actually remained to mold and mildew the noise of hip-hop on an international range. Songs events around Atlanta get on the surge, producing efficiency possibilities for independent musicians. In 2025, the Songs Biz seminar transferred from Tennessee to Atlanta, representing a demand to be in the location where songs is flourishing. Atlanta’s mayor [Andre Dickens] has actually been honestly helpful [of] labor force growth campaigns and has actually revealed a passion in seeing the songs market grow.”
Where to Go: “Rock Steady as a result of its social ambiance. The food is Afro Caribbean and is delicious. The top degree accommodates a bar experience full of emotional audios from a combination of Afrobeats, Caribbean, home and traditional R&B. It’s most definitely an ambiance.”
Joel Katz’s Heritage
” Atlanta has actually been a significant pressure in the songs company many thanks to prominent amusement lawyer Joel Katz, that established procedures in Atlanta in 1971 with his very first customer, James Brown,” claims Keith Perissi, supervisor of the Joel A. Katz Songs & & Home Entertainment Organization Program at Kennesaw State College. (Katz passed away in April.) “The songs market alone in Atlanta produces virtually $990 million in result and utilizes near 9,000 individuals, according to[the Music and Entertainment Industry Educators Association] Atlanta flaunts over 300 expert recording centers, making it a popular facility for songs manufacturing. It organized the 2025 Songs Biz seminar, uniting over 2,100 worldwide songs experts.”.
Where to Go: “Smith’s Olde Bar opened its doors in 1994 and [remains] among Atlanta’s many historical songs locations, having actually organized several of one of the most noticeable names in songs today.”
The Recording Academy’s c and w panel at the 2006 Atlantis Songs Seminar at Smith’s Olde Bar in Atlanta.
Rick Diamond/WireImage
‘ Unapologetic Credibility’
” Atlanta isn’t just a center for hip-hop, it’s a social community,” LVRN founder and head of state Tunde Balogun claims. “What the globe requires to comprehend is that the city is no more specified by one category or one age. There’s a surge of genre-blending from R&B to alternate audios to Afro affects, and it’s all rooted in Atlanta’s unapologetic credibility. Musicians below do not adhere to fads– we established them. There’s likewise a new age of partnership in between the city’s songs, movie and technology sectors. That kind of cross-pollination is where I see one of the most assure.”
Where to Go: “Magic City. No doubt. It’s means greater than a strip club: It’s a social establishment. If a document goes off in Magic, it’s most likely ready to run the city or the nation. It’s raw, it’s genuine, and it’s a location where the society in fact relocates.”
‘ A Social Center’
” Atlanta remains to grow as a social center where songs and technology– and currently movie and television– converge to produce unlimited possibilities for synch, racking up and material growth,” claims Catherine Brewton, vp of imaginative at BMI. “Long time BMI associate Tyler Perry’s workshop is a center for numerous significant movie, consisting of Straw, which lately struck No. 1 [on Nielsen’s Streaming Top 10 chart] in its very first week of launch on Netflix. Atlanta goes to the center of significant songs and sporting activities partnerships. FIFA touched long time BMI associate RedOne as the Globe Mug’s songs manufacturer and a number of various other Atlanta-based BMI manufacturers for extra songs activations.”.
Where to Go: “I’m a large follower of Procedure Atlanta, the workshop and occasion room had by Tricky Stewart. The room develops a smooth atmosphere where musicians, authors and manufacturers can team up and get in touch with crucial market gamers under one roof covering.”
‘ Comply With the Power’
” If you wish to comprehend where the market is headed, adhere to the power appearing of Atlanta,” claims Willie “Prophet” Stiggers, business owner and founder, head of state and chief executive officer of the Black Songs Activity Union. “We’re honored to introduce the launch of Black Songs Week, debuting in June 2026, [as] a yearly party rooted in Atlanta, the funding of Black songs development. [It] will certainly recognize Atlanta’s unrivaled payments to Black songs while producing room for crucial discussions around possession, equity and development in the songs market.”
Where to Go: “Copper Cove isn’t simply a bar and dining establishment; it’s an ambiance. Established by Brooklyn indigenous and business owner Mr. Rugs, the room bridges the pulse of New york city’s hustle with the rhythm of Atlanta’s society. You feel it the minute you stroll in, from the curated playlist to the food to the imaginative power.”
‘ Success Stories Throughout the Market’
” Atlanta is an area that intends to team up within the neighborhood initially to ensure that we can expand with each other,” COLTURE founder Ty Baisden claims. “The uniformity of young supervisors [is] changing right into success tales throughout the market.”
Where to Go: “We such as to bring our visitors to the brand-new membership-only area Hideaway by The Celebration Area [or] Magic City– which is commemorating its 40th-year wedding anniversary this year– to experience brand-new songs and wings and total Southern friendliness.”.
‘ The City Wants to Be Spoken About’
” You can still inform the city wishes to be No. 1, the city wishes to remain in the mix [and] the city wishes to be discussed,” claims Jermaine Dupri, creator and chairman of So So Def. “Atlanta has a Black songs underground. It’s occurring on Edgewood. It’s occurring in East Atlanta. It’s a below ground circuit. I recognize musicians around that are actually, actually hefty right into this room. Atlanta’s songs scene in its entirety is as healthy and balanced as it’s constantly been.”
Where to Go: “Magic City. If I’m having a discussion with someone regarding songs and the market and the power, it’s the one place you can visit every one of this.”
Ludacris (left) and Jermaine Dupri at the 2025 MLB All-Star Video Game at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos/Getty Pictures
‘ Visionaries Structure What’s Following’
” A new age is below in Atlanta and we’re suffering with satisfaction,” claims Jamin Whatley, elderly supervisor of imaginative A&R at Sony Songs Posting. “At SMP, it has to do with the creatives behind the boards crafting worldwide hits and the dreamers constructing what’s following in songs company. Purchasing this city isn’t simply a wise step, it’s an essential one. The city has actually long affected the noise of songs worldwide, and currently it’s constructing the facilities to sustain its future. The market is currently taking notification.”
Where to Go: “Hand Coastline Atlanta. It’s an area developed by and for the society, showing a brand-new requirement for event, working together and commemorating songs in this city.”
‘ Incredible Promising Ability’
” With the Recording Academy’s GrammyU program, I have actually reached fulfill numerous trainees, the fantastic promising ability from our universities, “claims Diane Durrett, a producer-singer-songwriter that is head of state of the Atlanta phase of the Recording Academy.” They finish from innovative songs programs at Atlanta’s HBCUs(* )from[and] Georgia State College’s manufacturing and sound recording, Georgia Technology’s Scientific research in Songs Modern Technology, SAE[programs such as] audio design training courses and Kennesaw State’s songs efficiency and structure.”.(* )Where to Go:[Institute]” Tricky Stewart’s workshop
, Procedure Atlanta. It’s a fantastic workshop to be able to fluidly create and videotape. For a fantastic online drum noise where a band can videotape cohabit, I would certainly most likely to Will certainly Turpin and Brian Collins ‘workshop, Reel 2 Reel. For a natural neighborhood experience and wonderful well-rounded workshop, I would certainly take them to Paul Diaz’s fantastic Tree Noise Studios.”
‘An International Songs Center’” Atlanta is developing from a hit-making city right into a full-fledged imaginative funding,” claims 11th & Carbon monoxide Chief Executive Officer Ebonie Ward, that stands for Gunna, to name a few&.” Past the songs, it’s currently a location where musicians can scale right into brand names and services. Take
550 RMG, a 10,000-square-foot imaginative incubator offering workshops, manufacturing, branding, traveling and company administration all under one roof covering. Yet the tale does not quit there. Tasks like the upcoming Online Nation-backed location at Centennial Yards reveal that Atlanta is buying facilities to match its impact, sealing its standing as an international songs center. “
Where to Go:(* )” Apache XLR-(* ), a historical location where many Atlanta tales like J.I.D, EarthGang and Outkast associates reduced their teeth. It’s a raw, genuine display of Atlanta’s hip-hop family tree and still among the most effective areas to uncover what’s following in the society.”(* )’ An Interconnected Imaginative Economic Situation'[our new headquarters]” Atlanta is not an arising city– it is a recognized pressure in the show business with a social identification all its very own,” claims Fox Theater president/CEO Allan Vella.” Having actually handled locations in numerous cities throughout my occupation, I can state it is uncommon to live and operate in a location where the neighborhood so passionately champs its very own tale, and the Fox Theater is honored to be a component of that. Among one of the most encouraging advancements is the surge of an interconnected imaginative economic climate where songs, movie, aesthetic art and entrepreneurship gas each other. Atlanta’s musicians are equally as proficient in brand-building and copyright possession as they remain in noise. Awesome Mike is a standout instance. He is a Grammy-winning musician that likewise co-owns a chain of hair salons and aided co-found an electronic financial institution targeted at progressing Black financial empowerment.”.
Where to Go:(* )” It’s difficult to cover the Fox Theater. Also if I weren’t associated with it, I would certainly state the exact same. The building greatness, the background installed in its wall surfaces, the sensation you obtain when the lights lower … it’s a location per se.”(* )The outside of the city’s Fox Theater in 2023. Royal Prince Williams/WireImage(* )’ A Must-Visit City'(* ).” Atlanta is an enjoyment center and a must-visit city for shows and excursions. The variety of the city makes it the excellent location to host all categories of songs, “claims Trey Feazell, executive vp of shows for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks and State Ranch Field. “With State Ranch Field’s area, amazing facilities and the simplicity of reaching Atlanta by means of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport Terminal, Atlanta is a local play. Followers will certainly take a trip to Atlanta to see leading musicians. Our location was placed 3rd locally in ticket sales by [previously Apache Cafe] Signboard
, just behind Ball in Las Las Vega and Madison Square Yard in New York City
Given that the start of the year, the field has actually organized over 600,000 followers throughout the period of over 50 occasions.”
Where to Go: “State Ranch Field, naturally. The field undertook an enormous$ 200 million remodelling in 2018. The objective was to produce a first-rate location, and we have actually done simply that.”
‘A Multimillion-Dollar Engine ‘
” The worldwide songs company commonly acknowledges Atlanta’s imaginative result prior to Atlanta totally acknowledges its financial power,” claims Mala Sharma, head of state of Georgia Songs Allies and a principal in Audio Suggestions and Consulting.” This city is not simply a social center, it’s a multibillion-dollar engine of development that constantly drives worldwide songs fads. Atlanta rates amongst the leading 5 cities in the united state for tape-recording workshops per head and remains to introduce musicians that specify and redefine categories. One of the most encouraging growth is the expanding energy around defining a statewide songs workplace and raising public and exclusive financial investment in the facilities behind our imaginative result.”.
Where to Go:
” Wrongdoer Records is greater than a document shop– it’s an exploration area. You can still find a brand-new band the traditional means, scanning plastic or capturing among their in-store efficiencies.” This tale shows up in the Aug. 30, 2025, concern of Signboard. [in the 2025 midyear Boxscore recap].
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