We are thrilled to announce that Rob Lewis is joining Nebula as Advisor. With his unique perspective as an acclaimed music arranger, composer, producer, and music director with over 30 years of experience working with some of the most iconic names in the entertainment industry. Known for his versatility across genres, Rob has collaborated with Grammy-winning artists like Christina Aguilera, Babyface, Toni Braxton, and New Kids on the Block, shaping live performances, tours, and award-winning recordings.
Rob’s illustrious career includes music direction for major award shows, from the Grammys to the American Music Awards, and arrangements featured in sold-out performances at Hollywood Bowl, Radio City Music Hall, and international arenas. Rob’s accolades also include Grammy-winning and -nominated projects as a vocal producer and arranger, as well as recognition from Berklee College of Music, where he served as Artist-in-Residence and received the Distinguished Alumni and Visiting Artist Awards.
Currently, Rob is embracing a new chapter in his career as a thought leader at the intersection of creativity and technology, where he will explore the transformative role of AI in empowering artists. He also serves as guest faculty for Carnegie Hall’s The B-Side program, where he mentors young creatives on navigating the music business.
In addition to ongoing music projects, Rob is a part of a team developing groundbreaking initiatives designed to give creators control over how their art is monetized, credited, and utilized in a rapidly evolving technological landscape. His mission is to use technology not only to enhance artistry but to advocate for fair value exchange and creator empowerment.
What is music for you?
Rob: “Music is a universal language and a bloodline between all living things. It seems to be the perfect medium for literal expressions of emotion and also of novelty thoughts, and in some iterations, it expresses what words cannot convey. It is the soundtrack to our lives.”
What song, album, or music genre are you particularly attached to, and why?
Rob: “I relate more to music that has lush harmonies and dramatic arrangements like the music of the great jazz eras, but the freedom of 70’s soul holds a deep place in my spirit, like the works of Marvin Gaye and others of that period.”
You’re a premier name in music direction. What aspects are most important when guiding a new music project or performance?
Rob: “Being a music director is a job of collaboration and facilitation, where my sole responsibility is enhancing the creative vision of visionaries. It is a balance of confidence and humility, a feeling that I’m perfect for the challenge ahead, but knowing I may not be musically equipped with everything I need to pull it off. So there is usually a great deal of study that comes with the role. I’ve learned the art of leadership over the years as well, which starts with having an incredible team, people that most of the time are smarter than me.”
What makes a song valuable?
Rob: “The value of a song is placed on the impact it has to the listener. It is why it is totally subjective whether a song is good or bad. It is attached to memories and happenings, it is inspiration and encouragement, its power can cause people to feel seen and heard, and give people a unified reason to live and fight another day. There is also personal value in the art itself for the artist that creates it.”
What does it take to succeed in today’s entertainment industry?
Rob: “The industry is ever-changing and the rules are being rewritten everyday, so the path to success in today’s industry is anyone’s guess. The key is to stay the course and build based of love for the art and the creation process, remembering that success comes in waves and not in any one way. Success is measured by the end goal of the person pursuing it. What is a failure to one, is a success and more than enough for another. I cannot speak to how to acquire success, but I will say that tenacity and a standard of excellence are key factors in maintaining longevity in this industry.”
What do you wish someone had told you when you started your own career?
Rob: “In the music industry, and as a creative, we are not championed enough to seek out ways to pivot our careers and move ahead. To do anything else other than what you have been known to do is often shunned upon. And as you get older, the fear of becoming a “has-been” looms great. And I wish anyone would have told me that it was ok that my dreams would and should evolve and change over the years.”
Why have you accepted the role of advisor at Nebula?
Rob: “Nebula aims to be part of the solution to a problem many artists face today. I believe in and stand in alignment with the philosophy of giving artists and fans alike the opportunity to have a closer, more direct financial relationship. Nebula stands to create a way for artists to have a pathway to monetization for their art and time, without the need for intermediaries, bypassing the traditional gatekeepers that often exploit artists and their work for little to nothing.”
Thank you for this conversation, Rob, and welcome again to Team Nebula.
To learn more, visit https://nebu.la/faq or contact us via the contact form or email at hello@nebu.la.
Nebula turns music into an investment asset, creating new value for artists and fans.