Music Publishers Association

Career Spotlight

Shauni Caballero, Founder, The Go 2 Agency
Discover more about The Go 2 Agency here.

Shauni founded The Go 2 Agency, a bespoke music rights management and publishing company after finding a gap in the market. She has previously worked at Universal Music and PRS for Music.

1. How did you first get into music publishing?
I first got into music publishing after working at PRS for Music and realised there was this insane knowledge gap within the music industry. I would constantly come across artists with records spinning on the radio, and even with top 10 ten songs in the charts, that didn’t have a PRS account. So, I set out to have a publishing administration company and then everything evolved from there. 

2. What do you love most about your job?
I love educating the music community, especially young people, on how to ensure they are correctly monetising their catalogue. However, I equally love being involved in the creative side of putting a record together and seeing a great song come to life. 

3. Is there someone or one company experience that has particularly inspired you? A career champion or inspiring team?
Paulette Long! There isn’t much representation in music publishing. When I stepped into this side of the business, I hardly came across anyone of colour. Once I found out about Paulette Long, a black woman like myself, and discovered she was teaching people how to make money from their music and was killing it, it made me believe I could do it too. I also owe a lot of my success to the support I get from Kwame Kwaten and [MPA Board member] Jackie Davidson; they are two amazing people that I respect highly and look up to and having them there as support and to champion my career is honestly what keeps me going.

4. What challenges have you faced so far in your career? How did you get past these?
I come from humble beginnings, so when I first started I didn’t even have the money to pay the legal fees to get my contracts written up. Financially I haven’t had any support. So, I’ve had to work and save to fund my business just to get it off the ground. I did the best I could with what I had. However, I’m grateful for those experiences as it keeps me humble and grateful for my success every step of the way.

5. What top three tips would you give to somebody just starting out in music publishing or taking their career to the next level?
Don’t wait for anyone to give you a job or a promotion. 
Learn as much as you can about publishing; past, present and future. 
Study great songs and find a mentor.

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