Meet Derek (jiajun) Ouyang | Music Business Professional & Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Derek (jiajun) Ouyang and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Derek (Jiajun), why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Music has always been a deep fascination of mine, especially Western pop music. Growing up, I was a huge fan of artists like Katy Perry, One Direction, Avril Lavigne, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran. However, pursuing a career in the arts didn’t seem like an option for me, coming from a traditional Asian family where stability and success were often equated with careers in medicine, law, or business. That mindset began to shift when I attended an international high school in Shenzhen, China. There, I connected with friends who shared my passion for pop music. Together, we attended concerts, took music classes, and even started writing and producing music.

A pivotal moment for me was attending a summer program at Berklee College of Music. It solidified my dream of working in music and inspired me to begin writing and releasing my own songs, which gained traction in China. Alongside this, I developed a fascination with the business side of music, meticulously studying the labels behind my favorite artists. Capitol Records was my favorite—not only because of its iconic building but also for representing artists like Katy Perry and Troye Sivan.

This passion led me to apply to the Bandier Program at Syracuse University, known as one of the best music business programs in the United States. And when I crossed paths with Chinese pop star 张钰琪. She appreciated my songwriting, and I ended up writing three EPs for her, which she performed at major festivals while signed to Tencent Music Entertainment, China’s leading entertainment label.

When I returned to campus, I landed my dream internship with Atlantic Records, which allowed me to combine my creative and business aspirations. That experience set the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished since, and it continues to drive my passion for the music industry.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe the music industry can easily jade people once they’re inside it. The focus often shifts to numbers, data, and the pressure to make hits, with every decision tied to profitability. But for me, I always try to reconnect with my initial passion and love for music. I still listen to the records that moved my soul as a child. Whenever those songs became hits, it reaffirmed my belief in the power of good music. I remember the first time I heard ‘Don’t Start Now’ by Dua Lipa—I immediately knew it was going to be a hit, even though it debuted at number 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. By its 19th week, it rose to number two. The same thing happened with ‘Levitating.’ When Dua’s album first dropped, ‘Levitating’ wasn’t even a single—it was all about ‘Break My Heart’ and ‘Physical.’ But I knew ‘Levitating’ was special, and eventually, it rose to number two and became the number one song of 2021.
As someone who writes songs with artists, I recognize that goosebumps moment when I hear a hit. What sets me apart is my dual perspective as both an artist and a business professional. I bring the same zeal to my creative work as I do to the operational side of the industry. I’ve tackled the most tedious and demanding tasks with a ‘No Task Is Too Small’ mentality because I truly believe that passion shines through in everything we do.
One of the biggest challenges I face is balancing the demands of the business while staying grounded in the songwriting and artist community. The lesson I’ve learned is that you can’t force a hit—you have to break through, tune out the noise, embrace discomfort, and prepare to fail. True artistry requires courage and vision. Look at Katy Perry—she tried to recreate her past success with the same hit-making team, but it wasn’t the same. To keep audiences coming back, you have to evolve, ‘kill’ the old version of yourself, and keep pushing boundaries.
What I want the world to know is that I never imagined I could be part of this industry until it became my reality. I used to obsess over Ed Sheeran’s album X and spend everything I had to see his shows. Fast forward, and I was helping with his album release in New York. Moments like that remind me of how far I’ve come.
Ultimately, music speaks for itself. No amount of marketing can sell a bad song. Hone your craft, embrace your identity, and trust that the world will catch up to you. I say this as both a musician and a music business professional. I understand the grind of trying to make it in this industry because I started as a nobody, with no connections, growing up in Shenzhen, China. Now I’m working at one of the best labels in the world alongside chart-topping artists. Life is limitless when you stay committed, lock in, and put in the work!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Ok I’m gonna start the day with Cafe Nido at Silver lake and then walk around the silver lake reservoir. Have lunch at Same Same for Thai food and probably explore Abbot Kinney at Venice and hit up the Big Brother taco truck to get some tacos and burritos and eat it at the beach for the sunset. I am a very boring person to be honest. People who know me know I cook a lot so I probably don’t know a lot of good spots but my cooking is too good for me to appreciate food outside. I also love Chinese food so much I’d drive to SGV if it’s a Sunday. And if the weather is nice Hermosas. Oh also shout out to Salt and Straw! Love the chocolate chunk flavor. But yea if people visit they probably would want to go to Erewhon lol. But if you’re asking about New York I have a whole agenda for you!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Honestly, there’s an endless list of people who have helped me get to where I am today, from my choir teacher to my mom, and so many more. However, when it comes to my career, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Atlantic Records for giving me my first opportunity at a major label. That experience was instrumental in teaching me the intricacies of the music industry. Everyone there—from the leadership to the team—was incredibly supportive, patient, and genuinely invested in my growth.
A special shoutout to Kayla Flores, Maureen Kenny, Jackie Wongso, Kelly Sayer, Holly Espinosa, Grace James, and Julie Greenwald. These women are absolute powerhouses in this industry—often underestimated and overlooked despite being savagely brilliant at what they do. Beyond their incredible work ethic, they also prioritize the growth and mentorship of everyone in the department, including their interns.
I’d also like to thank Lisa Steele, my program director at the Bandier Program, for connecting me with Kayla and setting me up for that life-changing interview. Lastly, I have to give a shoutout to my best friend, Yuqi Chen, who moved to LA with me that summer and made the journey so much more memorable and meaningful.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/derek_ouyang/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-ouyang/

Image Credits
Kelley Chan