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Billboard’s 2026 40 Under 40 List Revealed
Billboard has revealed its 2026 Music Industry 40 Under 40 list, recognising emerging executives and power players across the music business. The annual list matters because each honouree can appear only once, highlighting a continuing influx of younger leaders tackling issues such as artificial intelligence, ticketing fairness, artist development and industry wellbeing.
This year’s list is led by Hilary Gleason, co-founder and executive director of mental-health nonprofit Backline. Other highlighted figures include Foundations’ Max Gredinger, credited with helping develop Laufey’s career, CAA agent Shirin Nury, who works with Gracie Abrams and Tate McRae, and HYBE’s Juan S. Arenas, whose Latin division launched Santos Bravos; the group has surpassed 150 million global streams, according to Luminate.
In short
- Billboard names 40 rising music-industry leaders under 40.
- Honourees span labels, agencies, technology and wellbeing.
- HYBE’s Santos Bravos has exceeded 150 million streams.
Explained simply
Billboard publishes an annual list recognising younger executives and leaders in the music industry who are shaping the business relatively early in their careers. The 40 Under 40 list is notable because each person can appear only once, meaning it spotlights a continuous flow of fresh talent entering the sector.
The list matters because the professionals recognised tend to be working on significant challenges facing modern music, including artificial intelligence, ticketing fairness, developing new artists and the wellbeing of those in the industry. Their work across these areas reflects the types of issues that are reshaping how the music business operates.
Honourees come from across the music industry, including nonprofit organisations, major music companies and talent agencies. They work in various roles such as artist development, artist management, label operations and advocacy for industry change.