TrustTheDJ.com

Trust The DJ delivered integrated services within the dance music sector. The company provided artist representation, marketing, a dedicated radio division, and an independent record label. This comprehensive approach aimed to consolidate support for electronic music talent, streamlining their career development and content distribution across the industry.

Founded in 2000 by Lynn Cosgrave and Tammy Smulders, Trust The DJ originated from recognizing the specialized needs of the evolving dance music scene. Cosgrave, leveraging her prior experience as a music industry vice-president, partnered with Smulders to establish a unified platform addressing artists' diverse requirements.

The company served established and emerging DJs, managing their bookings, promotions, and music releases. Trust The DJ's mission was to nurture and advance electronic music artists' careers, fostering a dynamic talent ecosystem. Its vision aimed to amplify artists' global reach and deepen audience engagement.

# TrustTheDJ.com Overview

TrustTheDJ is an electronic dance music (EDM) management and e-commerce platform founded by Lynn Cosgrave shortly after leaving Sony in September[2]. The company operates as a talent management and digital services business serving the dance music industry, with offices in London, Uruguay, and Spain[3].

High-Level Overview

TrustTheDJ functions as a management and e-commerce platform within the electronic dance music space. The company manages prominent artists and producers in the EDM sector[3], combining artist representation with digital commerce capabilities. Operating across multiple international locations, TrustTheDJ serves as an intermediary between electronic music talent and their audiences, leveraging both management expertise and online sales infrastructure.

The company employed 15 full-time staff members at the time of its early growth phase[2], indicating a lean operational model focused on high-value artist partnerships rather than mass-market services.

Origin Story

Lynn Cosgrave established TrustTheDJ immediately following his departure from Sony in September[2]. Rather than remaining within the traditional major label structure, Cosgrave launched an independent venture to serve the electronic dance music community. This timing positioned the company to capture emerging opportunities in artist management and direct-to-fan commerce within the EDM space, a sector experiencing significant growth during the 2010s.

Core Differentiators

• International footprint: Multi-country presence (UK, Uruguay, Spain) provides geographic diversification and access to different regional EDM markets[3]
• Specialized focus: Dedicated exclusively to electronic dance music rather than operating as a generalist talent agency
• E-commerce integration: Combined management services with direct sales capabilities, enabling artists to monetize beyond traditional streaming and touring
• Artist roster: Manages established names within the electronic music space[3]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

TrustTheDJ emerged during a period of significant disruption in music industry intermediation. The rise of digital distribution, streaming platforms, and direct artist-to-fan relationships created opportunities for independent management companies to challenge traditional major label dominance. By combining artist management with e-commerce capabilities, TrustTheDJ positioned itself at the intersection of talent representation and digital commerce—a model that reflected broader industry trends toward disintermediation and artist empowerment.