Women have held their own the music charts since the charts were invented. But behind the scenes females in the music industry could boast of having little to know say. My, have things changed. Today’s black woman is not only filling the seats of the concert arenas, she’s taking her seat in the musical boardroom. From trailblazers like Sylvia Rhone, to innovators like Carmen Murray, women are calling the shots. Here’s our list of the top black woman music executives:
Sylvia Rhone is not done yet. The music world is eagerly anticipating the legendary executive to launch her own label through Epic Records. It will be the latest in a decades long list, of profound accomplishments. In 1994 she took the helm of chairman and CEO of Elektra Entertainment Group, making her the only African-American and the first woman in the history of the recording industry to earn that title. After her time in EEG’s C-suite, Rhone moved on to become president of Universal Motown Records. She departed in 2011. Her new label, which she is currently working on, will be overseen by Epic chief, L.A. Reid.
Yvette Noel-Schure is calling her own shots. As the president her own firm Schure Media, she boasts of having one of the most famous musicians in world as a client: Beyonce. Prior to going her own way, Noel-Schure was senior vice president of media at Sony Music Entertainment. She has developed press campaigns for Mariah Carey, Prince and John Legend, to name a few.
Mona Scott-Young founded Monami Entertainment in 2008 as an entertainment management company, which boasts of managing musical giant Missy Elliot as well as hip hop star Jim Jones. It wasn’t Scott-Young’s first time at the helm of such an organization. She is the former co-owner and president of Violator Management. Among those who’ve benefited from Scott-Young’s musical management, are Missy Elliott, 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes. The music biz veteran also is executive producer of the VH1 reality series Love & Hip Hop.
Lisa Ellis is a titan in corporate world. She is an operating partner at investment firm Fireman Capital Partners. The company focuses on high growth consumer products and service companies, including, film, entertainment and other related investments. Leading up to her role at Fireman, Ellis served as executive vice president for Sony Music Label Group between June 2006 and January 2009. The poised musical exec has played a significant role in the careers of giants like Prince, Beyonce, and Mariah Carey, among others.
Carmen Murray, has made room for herself at the corporate table in the music world. She’s earned the title executive, as founder and CEO of Title 9 Productions, an entertainment company that grooms talent, manages artists, nurtures writers, does both music and television production, and offers consulting. Whew! Murray boasts of clients including Jay-Z prodigy Melanie Fiona, and prolific songwriter Andrea Martin who wrote R&B classic hits “Before You Walk Out of My Life” by Monica, SWV’s “You’re the One”, “Don’t Let Go (Love)” for funky divas, En Vogue.
Angelique Miles is founder and president of ACM entertainment LLC, which focuses on music licensing, music publishing, music supervision. Before venturing off on her own Miles was vice president of creative at EMI Music Publishing, vice president of A&R at Universal Music Group, and vice president of creative at Warner Chappell Music. She has navigated the musical business honing an expertise in business affairs, royalties, licensing and promotion and managing talent.
Gwendolyn Quinn has managed to compile a reputation for representing the best in black music. She’s founder and CEO of GQ Media & Public Relations and has represented just about everyone from the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, to gospel music innovator Kirk Franklin. Her musical journey has taken her from senior posts at Capitol Records, to Island Records, and Flavor Unit Entertainment to ultimately becoming her own boss at GQ.
Catherine Brewton has been vice president of writer/publisher relations for the urban music department of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) since 2005. She’s been an integral part of BMI, helping to nurture such prolific talent as chart-topping songwriters and producers The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo), Rodney and Fred Jerkins, Dallas Austin, and Kanye West.
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