The Diverse Music Industry (Moninainen musiikkiala) project was created by the founders of the company Never Found, A&R consultant and manager Setumo Bodibe and artist Hassan Maikal, in collaboration with the Finnish Musicians’ Union and the Finnish Music Creators’ Association. The project was piloted in 2023 and its first full operational year in 2024 achieved positive results.
“Hassan and I realised that we were often the only people participating in discussions about diversity who visibly were from outside the multi-generational mainstream Finnish culture. For some reason, the people most directly affected by these issues were either not willing or able to participate in these conversations. We also noticed that in discussions with music industry decision-makers, the participants were an even more homogeneous group in terms of their cultural background. While genuine motivation and effort seemed to exist for openness and increased diversity, the tools to connect with different communities were lacking.”
Never Found’s work, especially Hassan’s long-standing commitment in supporting others in the field of music, has accustomed us to daily contacts from people in need of support. Our collaboration with the Finnish Musicians’ Union and Finnish Music Creators’ Association began from a basic need to get information and support to the relevant people, and to build a community not solely relying on a few individuals.
Alongside building a community and a larger symbolic significance, we have also achieved very concrete results.
“Alongside building a community and a larger symbolic significance, we have also achieved very concrete results. For example, our work with grant applicants led to some thirty new first-time applications between 2024 and 2025. This is a major achievement, as especially marginalised creators often yield under the sense of exclusion. Together with many music creators, we took steps towards belonging in the Finnish music industry,” says Setumo Bodibe.
In 2025 Teosto Cultural Foundation supports the project
The Teosto Cultural Foundation supports the Diverse Music Industry project with €23.000 in 2025. The project has also received funding from the Finnish Music Foundation, Finnish Musicians’ Union and Finnish Music Creators’ Association.
In 2025, the project aims to strengthen and further expand the already created community, both in the Helsinki area and across Finland. The regular gatherings include discussions with record label representatives; talks by managers, booking agents and publishers; insights into the operations of Teosto and Gramex and copyright in general; and experiencing a live performance of classical music. This year’s program also includes a retreat at the Kassu Halonen Art House and the now-legendary music retreat at Villa Vikan.
For additional information:
Setumo Bodibe, +358 40 355 9288,
Teijamari Jyrkkiö, +358 40 557 6990,