From chill brunch vibes to the electric energy of a casino floor, Camryn Blake knows how to make every beat count.

Her passion for music started at home, grew through formal study and industry work, and now fuels her role curating soundtracks for New Level Radio clients like the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. 

In this edition of the Curator’s Corner, Camryn talks about the craft behind casino soundscapes, keeping music fresh for returning guests, and why even the smallest song choice can help create an unforgettable experience.

Let’s start with your love of music. Where did it begin, and how has it stayed such a central part of your life over the years?

My love of music started at home with my older sister. She was basically a walking MP3 player, always playing something new, a classic, or something niche. I soaked it all in. As I got older, I became obsessed with music discovery and took it seriously.

In college, I minored in Music Business because I knew I wanted to work in A&R and curation. Later on, I even trained AI to understand genres and subgenres. Music has stayed at the center of my life both professionally and personally. It’s how people tell stories, how cultures pass things on, and how I learn about the world. It’s not just something I listen to. It’s how I live.

One of the New Level Radio clients you work closely with is MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which is one of the largest casinos on the planet. What’s your approach when curating music for an iconic brand with such a distinct identity?

With a brand as iconic as MGM Grand, the music has to match the energy. It needs to feel bold and unforgettable, but also refined and seamless. My approach starts with asking the right questions. Who is the guest walking through the door? What kind of experience are they expecting?

Then I build the sound around that mood. I mix classics and hits with newer, lesser-known tracks that still fit the brand’s vibe. Everything is intentional. If the music feels effortless, I know I’ve done my job.

Every casino has its own “mood.” Can you share a moment when a client’s vision clicked perfectly with the playlist you built?

One moment that stands out was creating a brunch playlist for MGM Grand. They wanted a chill R&B and neo-soul vibe. It sounds simple, but that genre is surprisingly hard to nail. There’s a fine line between soulful and too mellow. This sub-genre also does not have many new artists that specialize in it.

There’s a lot of genres mixing with neo-soul, which makes it hard to create a cohesive playlist. To begin, I started with the essentials like Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, and Alicia Keys, then brought in fresh voices like Ari Lennox, Cleo Sol, Masego, and Moonchild. To give it an edge, I added global artists like Jaehyun, NCT 127, and Galdive. The end result was warm, modern, and exactly what they were looking for. It felt like the perfect

balance of comfort and discovery.

How do you keep the music feeling fresh for repeat visitors — especially in places like casinos or resorts — without straying from the brand’s core vibe?

There’s no shortage of music out there. New artists are popping up daily, and social media has made it easier than ever to find them.

I keep my ear to the ground through platforms like TikTok and Spotify, where microgenres and emerging trends are born. When updating playlists, I focus on music that still fits the brand but adds a little something new, whether it's an unexpected instrument, a different vocal tone, or a fresh take on a classic sound. This way, repeat guests hear something new without ever feeling like the vibe has changed.

What artists or albums are on repeat for you right now, and do you find your taste influencing your creative work in any way?

Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of indie artists like Amhala, Iyla, Galdive, Say Now, Shreea Kaul, and Shay Lia. Destin Conrad’s “Love on Digital” has been my favorite album of the year so far, and I’ve also had Clipse’s “Let the God Sort ‘Em Out” in rotation.

I separate personal taste from most client work, but when I’m curating R&B playlists, like for brunch or lounge spaces, my own taste definitely helps. It gives me a better sense of texture, pacing, and flow.

If you had a walk-up song every time you entered a New Level Radio meeting, what would it be?

It would have to be either “Bring Em Out” by T.I. or “Wipe Me Down” by Boosie. Both songs are energetic, confident, and instantly shift the energy in the room. They get me in the zone and remind everyone that I came to handle business.