Project
Women Shaping Camden Music: Camden High Street Live
Women Shaping Camden Music
Women Shaping Camden Music is a short-form podcast series celebrating the women who have shaped and continue to shape Camden’s music culture. From pioneering DJs and promoters to artists, engineers, broadcasters and community leaders, the series brings together voices from across the music ecosystem, offering a rare, personal insight into the stories behind the sounds. Recorded on Camden High Street, the podcast is intentionally rooted in place. A street synonymous with live music, cultural movements and creative exchange. From Roundhouse to Koko, Jazz Café and Electric Ballroom, Camden High Street is the heart of the London’s musical identity, and provides both a physical and symbolic backdrop, connecting past legacy with present-day voices. The series seeks to amplify perspectives that have historically been underrepresented, creating a living archive of the women who have contributed to and continue to influence Camden’s cultural landscape. These podcasts form part of the cultural celebration of Camden High Street. Through a trial pedestrianisation programme (2025/26) spotlighting the unique and iconic history of Camden High Street. From music to fashion and unique cultural experiences, Camden High Street has been renowned globally as an iconic cultural destination. Keep scrolling below to find out more and hear the podcasts.
Makeda McMillian
Makeda McMillan is the Managing Director of cultural organisation Small Green Shoots, and founder of community arts organisation, Makeda Makes. With over 16 years’ experience in the music industry, her creative career began at the age of 15, becoming one of Small Green Shoots’ first ever ‘Shoot’ trainees and progressing through the organisation to her current leadership role, in which she helps underrepresented young people break into the music and creative industries. Alongside this, Makeda is also an alumna of the prestigious Clore Leadership Programme and a qualified life coach, evaluator, project manager and mentor, as well as an arts award assessor and consultant.
Click the play button below to hear Makeda's podcast.
Vicky Pasion
Vicky Pasion is a singer, songwriter and performer from Camden. Her music blends soulful R&B and pop, with honest lyrics that tell personal stories.
She began her career performing in London’s West End, appearing in shows like The Lion King and Thriller Live. Since then, she has released two independent EPs and has been recognised for her unique sound. She has received support from the MOBO Awards and was named “London’s latest musical maverick” by Wonderland Magazine.
Alongside her music, Vicky cares deeply about helping others. She speaks up for people whose voices are not always heard and works to make the creative industry more welcoming and fair.
Through her songs and her work, Vicky creates music that connects with people and builds a sense of community, encouraging others to be open, confident and proud of who they are.
Click the play button below to hear Vicky's podcast.
Erica McKoy
Erica McKoy is a broadcaster, journalist and DJ based in London. She loves finding new music and sharing it with others. Erica has worked across radio, online platforms and live events. She has worked with well-known broadcasters like the BBC, Sky News, Jazz FM and Worldwide FM.
Erica has also presented shows at famous venues, including the Royal Opera House and the Royal Albert Hall. She enjoys speaking to audiences and bringing stories to life through music and conversation.
As well as her work on air, Erica helps support new artists. She is a member of the music jury for SXSW London, where she helps discover and celebrate emerging talent from around the world.
Erica is curious about how music connects people. She is especially interested in how club culture can affect mental health and wellbeing. Through her work, she creates engaging audio and digital experiences and brings communities together through sound.
Click the play button below to hear Erica's podcast.
Nicky Ezer
Nicky Ezer is an experienced event manager, music promoter and producer. She has worked in music, arts and culture for over 40 years. Nicky is known for supporting artists and creating events that bring people together.
She began her career after studying drama, working in local radio and theatre. She later worked with BBC Radio London and Jazz FM, as well as appearing in small TV roles, including shows like Only Fools and Horses.
Nicky has always loved reggae music. She managed the famous Jah Shaka sound system and promoted concerts for artists such as Burning Spear and Gregory Isaacs. She also started the London Dub Club.
For over 27 years, Nicky led the main stage at the Lambeth Country Show. She later worked at Camden Council, helping to run events and support local communities.
Today, Nicky works as a freelance consultant and event producer in Camden. She continues to promote music and runs community events, including projects with Jazzie B.
Click the play button below to hear Nicky's podcast.
Milli-Rose Rubin
Milli-Rose is a musician and writer from Camden, who combines both singing and spoken word in her music. Using her personal experiences, Milli-Rose writes and performs material around the topics of mental health, the housing crisis in the UK, and how creativity has sustained a form of therapy throughout uncertain chapters.
Through writing and music, Milli-Rose explores these topical issues, which has led to creative facilitation work with young people as well as the creation of music and poetry platform, Crossword Lyric, that aims to encourage unfinished work to get rid of perfection in the arts, and build people’s confidence.
Click the play button below to hear Milli-Rose's podcast.
Small Green Shoots
Founded in 2009, Small Green Shoots is a National Portfolio Organisation dedicated to increasing career opportunities for underrepresented young adults. They are the only UK arts organisation with both a Black female Chair and Black female Managing Director, with 85% BME staff and 100% from low-income backgrounds.
Small Green Shoots believes all young people have untapped skills and talents — but those from lower-income backgrounds face multiple barriers to realising them. The organisation exists to change that, developing lasting relationships across the creative industries and enabling them to open their doors to the next generation.
A new kind of apprenticeship provider, Small Green Shoots is focused not on jobs, but on careers. Through paid training and secondment programmes with industry partners, they create real pathways into the music and creative industries — giving disadvantaged young people access to long-term, stable careers rather than short-term, low-earning intern contracts. They invest more in young people from the outset, offering a genuine alternative to conventional routes into education, training, and employment.
Click the play button below to hear Small Green Shoots podcast.
Fiona Ramsay
Fiona Ramsay is a highly accomplished entertainment executive with over 25 years of experience operating at the forefront of the global entertainment industry. A strategic thinker with a passion for music, arts, sports, and talent development, she has built an exceptional career spanning Europe, the Caribbean, and Africa, delivering standout campaigns, brand partnerships, and large-scale entertainment productions.
Fiona previously served as Senior Marketing Manager at BMG Records, leading marketing campaigns for internationally renowned artists including Whitney Houston, Angie Stone, Usher, Outkast, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean and Pink.
She later became Senior Vice President of the European office for Music World Entertainment, overseeing management responsibilities for global superstars including Beyoncé, Michelle Williams, Kelly Rowland and Solange.
From 2011 to 2014, Fiona worked with Stoked PR as Talent and Promotions Director, executing campaigns for Wretch 32, Ms. Dynamite, Akala, Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys.
Her subsequent work with Robomagic Live further demonstrated her ability to bridge music, culture, and marketing, where she oversaw marketing strategy for Burna Boy’s first UK sold-out stadium tour.
Since October 2024, Fiona has co-managed DJ AG, an open-format DJ known for transforming the streets of London and cities across the UK into vibrant live stages. His viral livestream sets feature surprise appearances from global stars and emerging artists, capturing the raw energy of the city and connecting music lovers worldwide.
Throughout her career, Fiona has planned and delivered global sponsorship campaigns, artist tours, promotional strategies, television talent bookings, and bespoke brand partnerships. She thrives on leveraging her extensive international network, marketing expertise, and digital insight to create impactful, results-driven outcomes.
Click the play button below to hear Fiona's podcast.
Vimala Rowe
The Vimala Rowe Quartet presents Find Your World, a powerful show about singer Vimala Rowe’s life and journey. The show shares her story through music, poetry and storytelling.
As a child, Vimala was cared for by different women before being adopted. These early experiences helped shape who she is today. In Find Your World, she brings together the voices and artists who inspired her, including Billie Holiday and William Blake.
Her music blends many styles, such as jazz, blues, soul, and sounds from African and Indian traditions. Vimala’s journey has taken her around the world. She spent nine years living in Bangkok, where she joined one of Thailand’s first rap groups. She also studied North Indian classical singing in India.
After returning to England, Vimala took time to reflect before stepping into the spotlight. Today, she is known as an exciting and respected voice in the UK jazz scene, creating music that is both personal and inspiring.
Click the play button below to hear Vimala's podcast.
Isabella Di Biase:
Isabella Di Biase is a live sound engineer from Italy. She moved to London 11 years ago to follow her passion for music, art and activism. She studied American and French literature before training in live sound at Scala.
After learning from experienced sound technicians, Isabella began working at music venues in Camden, including The Underworld, The Black Heart and The Unicorn. A few years later, she became Head of Sound at Scala.
Isabella has since worked at some of London’s best-known venues, including KOKO, Islington Assembly Hall and Union Chapel. She has also worked at large festivals such as BST Hyde Park and All Points East.
Today, Isabella works across major venues including O2 Brixton Academy and Roundhouse. She is also secretary of the London Live Events Network, where she helps support people working in live music.
Click the play button below to hear Isabella's podcast.
Linett Kamala
Linett Kamala is a creative artist who works with sound, art and community projects. She is a DJ, educator and founder of LIN KAM ART. For over 40 years, she has created spaces where people can come together, feel supported and express themselves.
Born in London, Linett works across many art forms, including painting, murals, installations and music. She is inspired by carnival culture, Jamaican traditions and stories shared through generations.
Linett is passionate about helping others. She mentors young creatives and leads workshops, events and festivals that bring communities together. Through her work, she supports wellbeing and encourages people to be creative and confident.
She is the founding director of LIN KAM ART, an organisation that runs projects based on carnival and festival culture. These include residencies, talks and community programmes.
Linett also teaches at University of the Arts London and works with students at Central Saint Martins and the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. She continues to inspire people through art, music and community work.
Click the play button below to hear Linett's podcast.