My First Job in Music: Sam Moura
Every month, Queer Capita highlights LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders through our series, My First Job in Music. For September and October we will be highlighting
We continue the series with Samantha Moura (She/Her), the Commercial Promotion Partnerships Manager at Spotify. Based in New York City, Samantha’s journey into music is a story of curiosity, saying yes to every opportunity, and finding your path through the unexpected turns. From exploring internships across TV, lifestyle, and beauty to discovering digital marketing and streaming at Sony Music Masterworks, Samantha has built a career at the intersection of artist marketing, platform strategy, and digital partnerships. She opens up about the power of embracing every role, the mentors who helped accelerate her career, and why building community and investing in your relationships can be just as important as the work itself.
Read about other LGBTQ+ Music Industry Leaders and Allies in our community.
What was your first job in music?
Before music, I interned across a bunch of different industries - TV, lifestyle, beauty, you name it. Then I landed an internship at Sony Music Masterworks in their Publicity department. After COVID hit, they invited me back and had me rotate across Publicity, Digital Marketing, and Sales. That ended up being a blessing in disguise because it's where I got into digital marketing and streaming, and I was hooked.
From there, one of my intern managers referred me to my first full time role as a Coordinator on the Global Digital Accounts team at Warner Music Group. The role was new and specific to Atlantic Records. Every day was different; I was the person making sure nothing fell through the cracks across platforms, whether that was getting a Cardi B audio live on Instagram or making sure a surprise NBA YoungBoy YouTube drop was claimed for charting. It was nonstop, but I loved it.
Who was someone who supported you to help you get your start in your career?
Honestly, every boss I've had has looked out for me in different ways, and I'm so thankful for it. From my intern managers who referred me to my first full time role, to leaders who advocated for my promotions and put me in rooms I wouldn't have been in otherwise. I went from Coordinator to Manager in about nine months because a manager who really believed in me advocated for me and saw I was ready to lead a team before I even saw it in myself. My current manager at Spotify is actually an old mentor of mine from my WMG days - so it's all been very full circle. That's why I'm so passionate about mentorship through Queer Capita. Not everyone has someone in their corner doing that for them, and it makes all the difference.
What was a lesson you learned at the start of your career that you still carry with you?
No job is too small. Early on I made it a point to say yes to everything, and that mindset opened doors I never would have expected. That's how I ended up wearing so many hats - from paying out royalties and getting video clearances to producing short form content, building assets for trending tracks, and even running ad campaigns. Every “yes” also meant working with more people, and in an industry this relationship driven, the person you're collaborating with today could be your future boss down the line. All of that stacks, and I carry every bit of it into whatever role I’m in now.
What was your favorite memory from your first job?
Doja Cat coming to the Sony offices to celebrate "Say So" hitting the top 5. When you're an intern, that hits different.
From my first full time role, honestly too many to pick from - going to Charli XCX’s “How I’m Feeling Now” show at LPR, watching Ed Sheeran and Lizzo perform at our office…But if I'm being real, just meeting my whole team in person for the first time after being remote for so long might top all of it.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Your career doesn't have to be a straight line - the detours are where you learn the most. None of where I am now was part of some master plan. Stay curious, say yes to the unglamorous work, and invest in your community early. The people you build alongside are the ones who show up for you later.
Related Articles
Join 1,000+ LGBTQ+ and allied professionals in our national network.
✕
This Ask Capita edition discusses starting fresh in a new country and finding your new career path.