Eva Ries is a German Music Manager, Author and Psychological Counsellor who became particularly well known for her long-standing collaboration with the legendary hip hop collective Wu-Tang Clan.
As marketing manager, she played a key role in shaping the rise of the legendary hip hop collective – from underground phenomenon to global cult brand.
Eva Ries began her career at major labels such as Geffen, RCA and Sony. As a German woman and career changer, she asserted herself in a tough, male-dominated industry – and in the process developed resilient leadership and communication skills.
‘Only by standing your ground, not giving in, but acting with the same means as them, can you gain the necessary respect.’ – Eva Ries
Her life story is an example of an unusual, courageous path between the international music business, intercultural management and social engagement.
In her keynotes, Eva Ries combines entertaining insights into the world of hip-hop with brutally honest business experiences. She speaks at companies, leadership formats and events about team dynamics, power structures, cultural change and the power of authentic brands in a radical industry.
‘This story is simply too good and too absurd not to be told.’ – laut.de
Eva Ries Lecture Topics
- International Music Business & Hip-Hop Culture – A Look Behind the Scenes of a Global Movement
What makes hip-hop the most influential cultural phenomenon of our time? How does the international music business work beyond the charts and glamour? Eva Ries talks first-hand about her work with artists such as the Wu-Tang Clan and Nas. She sheds light on the mechanisms of the industry, the development of global brands, cultural codes and why authenticity has become the hardest asset to come by.
- Motivation & artistic vision – Follow your dreams, not the norm
How do you motivate people, especially artists? This lecture is about self-efficacy, creative visions and perseverance. Eva Ries talks about courageous decisions, failure and perseverance – and why the path away from the norm is often the more honest one.
- Female empowerment in a male-dominated industry
Sexism, abuse of power and structural barriers – the entertainment industry is a microcosm of many challenges faced by women worldwide. Eva Ries provides deep insights into her experiences as a woman in the US hip-hop business, talks about boundaries and transgressions – and shows how empowerment can be lived and passed on in concrete terms.
- Education, resilience & equal opportunities – when learning is not a given
Eva Ries brings with her in-depth knowledge of the psychological development of children and young people, educational inequality and resilience building. She talks about learning disabilities, mental barriers, cultural differences in the US and German education systems, and how students still find their way – between high school, college and self-doubt.
- Life between cultures – Germany vs America, home and abroad
Eva Ries lived in the USA for more than 25 years – and then returned to Germany. She knows both worlds, both ways of thinking and the cultural friction between them. This lecture is about migration, lifestyle, integration, reverse culture shock, mental adjustment and how to stay true to yourself even when everything around you is changing.
Who is Eva Ries?
Eva spent part of her childhood in Bilbao, Spain, an experience that shaped her openness to different cultures early on. After finishing high school, she studied photography and completed professional training as an advertising specialist. She gained her first work experience at companies such as John Deere, Fein, and BASF before following her passion for music and entering the industry.
Eva Ries began her career in the music business as a Product Manager at Geffen Records/MCA in Hamburg, where she worked with iconic artists such as Nirvana, Guns N’ Roses, and Aerosmith, and later continued her career in the United States. In New York City, she joined RCA Records and, in the early 1990s, became International Marketing Manager for the urban artist roster of Loud Records and the Wu-Tang Clan. In this role, she was part of the group’s inner circle for over two decades, accompanying worldwide tours, overseeing marketing strategies, and working closely with RZA, the Clan’s creative mastermind. Her work took her deep into hip-hop culture and also to the limits of personal resilience—profound experiences she later reflected on in her autobiographical book “Wu-Tang is Forever“.
As Vice President of International Marketing Urban Music at Sony Music Entertainment, female speaker Eva Ries worked with the legendary rapper Nas, “The King of NY.” While serving as booking agent for the Wu-Tang Clan, she completed a master’s degree in counseling at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) and counseled disadvantaged youths in a high school in Trenton, New Jersey, for which she received an award from the U.S. Department of Education. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) in the United States.
After more than 25 years in the U.S., Eva Ries returned to Germany in 2018. Back in Mannheim, she taught “Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence” in the Social Work program at a private university. In Germany. Eva completed advanced training in systemic psychological coaching. She is also qualified as a psychological expert in family court proceedings. At the District Court of Mannheim, she serves in juvenile criminal matters as a volunteer lay judge.
Her biography exemplifies an unconventional, courageous path that bridges international music business, intercultural management, and social commitment.
Currently, Eva Ries is music manager for the “Elevator Boys” and international rock band “COSMODROME”.
Eva Ries can be booked for keynotes, moderated talks, panels and Q&A sessions at Premium Speakers.