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Kelly Sayer
A&R and Recording Engineer
Kelly Sayer is an accomplished A&R (Artists and Repertoire) manager at Atlantic Records, based in Los Angeles. Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, she moved to the United States in 2014 to pursue her studies in Music Production and Engineering at the Berklee College of Music. After graduating, she began her career as a recording engineer, notably working for Alex Da Kid, a prominent producer known for hits like "Love the Way You Lie" by Rihanna and "Radioactive" by Imagine Dragons.12
Career Path and Experience
Sayer's career trajectory includes significant roles that have shaped her expertise in the music industry:
- KIDinaKORNER: Served as an engineer from 2017 to 2018.
- TEN Music Group: Worked as head engineer and studio manager from 2018 to 2019, where she gained valuable insights into the music business and A&R processes.
- Atlantic Records: Joined the A&R team in early 2019, where she has been instrumental in developing emerging artists, including GAYLE, whose breakout hit "abcdefu" topped charts for three weeks.13
A&R Philosophy and Approach
Sayer's background as an engineer informs her hands-on approach to A&R. She emphasizes the importance of being actively involved in the recording process, often making real-time adjustments to songs to streamline collaboration with artists. This method allows her to effectively communicate creative ideas without lengthy explanations, enhancing the efficiency of the production process.31
She believes that while analytics from platforms like TikTok play a role in discovering talent, the essence of A&R still lies in personal connections and artistic vision. Sayer encourages aspiring A&Rs to start building their networks early, emphasizing that one doesn't need an official title to engage in talent scouting and artist development.32
Skills and Specializations
Kelly Sayer specializes in various genres including Pop, R&B, and Soul. Her skills encompass:
Through her work at Atlantic Records, Sayer continues to combine her passions for record-making, engineering, and nurturing creative talent within the music industry.

