2025 Session
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Thursday, October 29, 2026
IRL in the Age of Digital: Celebrating Shared Cultural Moments
Creator Economy
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4:40 pm
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5:20 pm
29 Oct 2026
Tobacco Dock, London
Tobacco Dock, London
Join Apple Music’s Ebro Darden, Dotty, and Nadeska Alexis on the Black Tech Fest Main Stage for an exclusive headline conversation. Together, the trio unpack how Apple Music translates real life culture into landmark digital experiences, turning authentic moments into worldwide phenomena. From capturing the grassroots energy of Verzuz to amplifying the world stage of the Super Bowl, they explore the lasting impact of live connection. The session also spotlights the new Battersea Studios and venue in London, revealing how this inspiring creative hub champions artists, drives bold storytelling, and unites communities everywhere.
Nadeska Alexis brings a passionate, global perspective on music and culture to Apple Music
Radio. A core voice on Rap Life Review, the seasoned journalist also goes one-on-one with
some of the world’s biggest artists, including sitting down with Rihanna, USHER, and
Kendrick Lamar before they each headlined the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show.
Even though Alexis proudly reps New York City, she was born in Grenada into a large family
and moved to Brooklyn when she was 11, giving her a unique, multicultural appreciation for
global sounds. Today, she champions the music of her upbringing—the reggae and soca of
her home country, the hip-hop and R&B of New York, as well as the evolving sounds of the
African diaspora—and helps listeners understand how these genres overlap.
Black music finds its champion in Dotty, who has been highlighting the best cuts from
around the world on her namesake Apple Music 1 radio show since 2020. Whether it’s fresh
hits from the most exciting new artists, retrospectives exploring the catalogues of much-
loved superstars or exclusive sit-downs with luminary figures including Sean Paul, John
Legend, Headie One, Popcaan and Kehlani, no scene goes unexplored on The Dotty Show.
Dotty joined Apple Music as Lead Cultural Curator following a six-year stint at BBC 1Xtra,
presenting regular afternoon and weekend slots before taking over as host of The Breakfast
Show in 2016. She has also taken her broadcasting talents to television, co-hosting two
seasons of BBC One’s music show Sounds Like Friday Night as well as the BBC Three
documentary A.Dot’s Story of Grime in 2016, which charted her attempt to bring together
some of the biggest names in grime for a nationwide clash.
