by Danielle Kwateng
The music industry is full of known names and those working to be known and behind all those names are managers working steadily to ink record deals, forge advertising partnerships and build popular brands. Besides experience and passion, managers need to be organized and trustworthy which is why many managers consist of family members and friends.
Regardless, in order to have longevity in the music biz, one must strategically place himself in upwardly mobile companies or have their own business. This list breaks down the music industries top African-American managers that have been able to overcome all obstacles to elevate their clients while creating a name for themselves.
Check them out:
Jeff Robinson
Robinson is best known for being the manager that worked with Alicia Keys for the majority of her career. Although Robinson is no longer managing Keys, they will collaborate and produce future albums through MBK/J Records. Along with working with his new artists, his company just created a new gospel label.
Company: MBK Entertainment
Notable Past/Current Clients: Alicia Keys, Elle Varner, Gabi Wilson, Jermaine Paul, and Daisha
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Derek Dudley
The childhood friend of Common has been managing him for almost twenty years. From rapping to acting, Dudley has gone through both industries with the Chicago artist. A proud Howard alum, Dudley attributes his client’s success to constantly working and not being intimidated by obstacles.
Company: Private
Past/Current Clients: Common
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Jayson Jackson
In the music industry since 1993, the former intern at Columbia Records has worked with the Fugees, Method Man, En Vogue, Notorious B.I.G., the Neptunes, and many others. Not only does he have an impressive resume that spans over years with Def Jam, Virgin Records and Bad Boy Entertainment, Jackson also teaches in the Tisch Art School of NYU.
Company: Seven Days Entertainment
Notable Past/Current Clients: Santigold, Spankrock, Q-Tip, and Mos Def
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Cortez Bryant
The Cash Money manager to two of hip-hop’s hottest artists has been a busy man lately. Not only is he cultivating Drake’s sensational career, but he is promoting the upcoming album of Lil Wayne, while he’s incarcerated. Bryant is known for taking his artists from an urban sphere to pop, by linking them with major advertising campaigns making them a household name.
Company: Young Money Entertainment
Notable Current Clients: Lil Wayne and Drake
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Lindsay Guion
Having taken law courses at Harvard University after a decade in the music industry, the music exec actually started his career working at IBM. Guion previously worked at A&M Records and is a proud member of the Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association.
Company: Black Pepper Music, Sony Music Entertainment
Notable Past/Current Clients: Mya and D’Angelou
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Phillana Williams
The Texas-native knows how to open doors in more ways than one. Williams is known for offering her clients opportunities outside the music realm that still protect their image and character. Having been the head of urban marketing at Arista Records and Island/Def Jam, she’s well versed in the tricky industry of music. In 2009 she partnered with Primary Wave Music Publishing and Marketing to found an urban management company.
Company: TPF Management
Notable Past/Current Clients: Outkast, Usher, Pink, Kanye West, Neyo, Ciara, Young Jeezy, Anthony Hamilton, and TLC, Rick Ross, Estelle, Tiffany Evans, Jaicko, Vistoso Bosses and Diamond (formerly of “Crime Mob”).
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Chaka Zulu
The no-nonsense music maven is known for working closely with rapper, Ludacris, his brother Jeff Dixon and their Atlanta-based music label. DTP, which was founded in the late 90s quickly grew in clientèle and mainstream appeal but suffered with economy and downturn of music sales. Despite rumors of their distribution deal being dropped, DTP re-signed with Island Def Jam Music Group in 2008. Keeping it a family affair Chaka also works with his father, Ahmed Obafemi, to manage the artists when on tour.
Company: Disturbing tha Peace
Notable Past/Current Clients: Chris “Ludacris” Bridges
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Corey Smyth
The Harlem native, who partnered with Talib Kweli to run Blacksmith Music, is known for working with conscious rappers. Smyth has a talent for giving his clients longevity in a changing economy and music sound. Having founded the management company in 1991, he was able to partner with Warner Bros. Records to expand Blacksmith to a music label.
Company:Blacksmith Management
Notable Past/Current Clients:De La Soul, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Jean Grae and Strong Arm Steady
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Kedar Massenburg
The former president of Motown Records doesn’t play games when it comes to sculpting the careers of artitsts. The Brooklyn native claims to have coined the term “neo soul” when he first began working with a young Erykah Badu. With a law degree from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, he had the confidence to start his own label after working in the corporate world for a couple years. Now as the CEO of Kedar Entertainment, he manages several artists and owns his own wine company.
Company:Kedar Entertainment
Notable Past/Current Clients: Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Kem, D’Angelo, Joe, Genuwine, Keith Sweat, Dru Hill.
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James Cruz
Cruz, having been in the industry for well over a decade, understands the importance of nuturing relationships. The self-proclaimed “family man” is not only a husband and father of two, but a music staple having worked at Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, Bad Boy, and Violator Records.
Company:Street Records Corporation/Universal Records
Notable Past/Current Clients: 50 Cent, Busta Rhymes, Sean Combs, Missy Elliot.
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Kyambo Joshua
A name that’s often heard in the urban music sector, Joshua is known for platforming his artists with the same entrepreneurial skills and drive that initially got him in the industry. Joshua has worked for Roc-A-Fella Records, Atlantic Records as VP of A&R, and Columbia Records. Although he was let go by Columbia in early 2009, after signing Jim Jones and the Clipse, he bounced back and is now working closely with artists through his company Hip Hop Since 1978.
Company: Hip Hop Since 1978
Notable Past/Current Clients: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Just Blaze, and Young Jeezy
