Cherie Hu

Cherie Hu is an award-winning writer and researcher who specializes in analyzing, tracking and critiquing innovation in the global music business.

​ Hu’s email newsletter, Water & Music, dives deep into the topic of music-industry innovation and reaches nearly 6,000 subscribers weekly, from budding artists and managers to C-Suite executives at major labels and tech companies. Occasionally, she hosts an interview podcast of the same name. Water & Music's Patreon members pay an average of $13/month to keep Hu’s newsletter and podcast independent and ad-free, as well as gain access to exclusive content, analysis and my wider research process.

​ Hu is also a seasoned freelance writer and speaker, with bylines in Billboard, Forbes, NPR Music, Columbia Journalism Review, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Resident Advisor, Music Business Worldwide, Variety, DJ Mag and many other publications. She has spoken as an expert commentator on CNBC, CGTN America and SiriusXM; as a guest lecturer at institutions like New York University, Northeastern University and Berklee Valencia; and as a moderator, panelist or keynoter at over 25 conferences around the world.

​ Last but not least, Hu is working on a book about the parallels between independent music careers and tech entrepreneurship, to be published in late 2021. Her Water & Music Patreon membership also serves as the crowdsourced advance for said book.