Still Connected Masterclass: A&R with Ela Talu and Alyssa Bautista from Interscope Records
Join us for our next Still Connected Masterclass, part of our ongoing series designed to break down key roles shaping today’s music industry.
This session focuses on A&R, one of the most influential functions in the music business. From discovering talent and developing artists to building records and guiding creative direction, we’ll explore how A&R operates within the broader ecosystem of a release.
Ela Talu and Alyssa Bautista are A&R executives at Interscope Records, collectively working across some of the most impactful releases in hip-hop and R&B today. Ela has contributed to major projects including Playboi Carti’s MUSIC and Ken Carson’s More Chaos, both debuting at #1 on the Billboard charts, alongside releases from Destroy Lonely, Homixide Gang, and Juice WRLD’s The Party Never Ends, while also developing emerging talent through the YVL roster. Alyssa’s work spans collaborations with venture partners like Dreamville, contributing to projects from Ari Lennox, JID, Summer Walker, J. Cole, and 6LACK, in addition to signing and developing artists such as VITA, CLIP, and Lara Project. Together, their work reflects a deep commitment to artist development, creative direction, and identifying the next generation of talent with a strong sense of identity and cultural impact.
Through real-world context and industry frameworks, this masterclass will unpack how records move from early ideas to finished projects, and how A&R collaborates across creative, marketing, and business teams to bring that vision to life.
Designed to be interactive, these sessions create space for real dialogue, giving you the opportunity to ask questions, share ideas, and engage directly with industry professionals.
Whether you’re an artist, manager, or looking to build a career in the industry, this session offers a clear, practical understanding of how A&R drives both artistry and strategy.
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Girl Connected programming is made possible with funding in part by Factor and the Government of Canada.