BLACK: Future. Now. 2022
Our Black: Future. Now. series highlights Black rising and established stars, executives & creatives in their respective fields. These incredible individuals are paving the way for the now and generations to come!
LVRN
LVRN is an ATL based record label and management company founded by Carlon Ramong, Justice Baiden, Junia Abaidoo, Sean Famoso McNichol and Tunde Balogun. With the recent addition of Amber Grimes as partner and General Manager they have assembled an Avengers-like leadership. They are truly one of the biggest, most impactful and diverse forces in the industry and they prioritize the mental health of both their employees and clients, who include artists like 6LACK and Summer Walker.
David Ali
Above Ground Entertainment is a music management company with clients including Kehlani, Rico Nasty, Tee Grizzley, Larry June and many more. David is a staple in the culture, an avid traveler and a community curator. He's one of the most beloved personalities in and out of music. A friend to all.
Andile Ndlovu
Andile Ndlovu is an Artist Manager at Electric Feel Entertainment. Soon after joining EF, she took on clients iann dior and Vron. She advocates for creating opportunities and professional growth for women and serves as a member of Women in Music, NapGirls, and is currently a member in Femme It Forward's mentorship program. Her curiosity, hustle and the African philosophy Ubuntu are her secret weapons for success. She is kind, genuine, and hardworking.
Ebonie Ward
Ebonie has used her instincts and understanding of the culture to help catapult Gunna's "DRIP SEASON 4EVER" to #1 on the Billboard 200. Working with the likes of Gunna, Future, Tauras, Flo Milli and super producer Turbo - Ebonie shows no signs of slowing down.
Sam Morrison
Founded by Sam in April 2020, Early Rising's heart is to serve rising talent by putting them on the radars of fans and tastemakers alike. He employs a diverse team of young creators and has built one of the most recognizable brands amongst up and coming artists and executives. Sam is respected and one of the youngest on BFN.
Brandon Farmer
Atlanta native, Brandon Farmer, got his early start in the entertainment business at the age of 15. Knowing the direction he wanted to take with his career, he started B. Farmer Management, which is now home to Atlanta-female-rapper Latto. He has worked with talents such as Justin Bieber, Kelly Rowland, Jacob Latimore, Jeremih and many others. This next chapter will be his biggest.
Sydney Lopes
At Spotify, Sydney has played a pivotal role in bridging the producer and artist community within Spotify's ecosystem. She's lead the launch of "Frequency," which supports Black artists and creators across all genres; "Feelin' Myself," a campaign spotlighting female rappers; and Spotify's first campaign celebrating Amapiano music & so much more. She is a true advocate for Black creators and women in the industry.
Lydia Arsat
Lydia Arsat embodies the word multitasker. From tour manager, to manager, publisher, Grammy nominated song writer, and A&R, there is not much Lydia cannot do within the world of music. As the cofounder and CEO of 100 Management, Lydia oversees Doja Cat and 10 other signees. She's co-managed Doha since 2017, worked as A&R on the albums 'Hot Pink' and 'Planet Her,' and even co-wrote the viral hit "Say So." She is highly homored and respected by the industry, with features in Forbes 30 Under 30, Billboard Power Players, and more.
CJ Cook
CJ is a Manager and A&R at Range Media Partners. Now, CJ has been overseeing day to day operations for HARV and Loshendrixx with Tyler Henry. Since joining Range, CJ has begun working on campaigns and developing creative for Range Clients: leads artist relations for the entire Range roster.
Grade A
Founded by Brandon "Lil Bibby" Dickinson, Grade A Productions is the home of music's most transcendent acts. They've earned the respect of the music industry as a whole. From Juice WRLD to The Kid Laroi, Grade A continues to set the tone for the next generation of creators. With a presence in the music, film and art worlds, Grade A strives to be a leader in every industry. Their reach also extends to film, creative, cannabis, and sports. They're a North Star for the youth and a true success story in the evolution of Young Black Entrepeneurs.
Brandra Ringo
Brandra got her start in the industry after she cold called Nelly's management company in St. Louis as a college student, which landed her an internship. Through her tenure in the industry, she's worked at Def Jam, UMPG, Warner Chapell and Motown Records having placed records for some of your favorite artists including Lil Baby, Travis Scott, Chris Brown, Maroon 5, Saweetie and many others. She was recently promoted to Quality Control Music's EVP/Head of A&R. Besides music, something that is important to Brandra is her PEACE. Brandra's energy embodies the importance of all-encompassing wellness.
Gordan Dillard
Gordan is an Oakland raised and NY made artist manager and entrepreneur. In 2013 he started his own management company, The Untitled Group, where he managed a major label artist and two Grammy nominated producers. 21 platinum plaques and 3 Grammy nominations later, he joined forces with SALXCO where he co-manages Doja Cat, Audrey Nuna, Dreezt, and more. Currently he co-founded Lost & Found Publishing; a joint venture with Warner Chapell, and he was recently listed by Billboard as a 40 under 40 honoree. Gordan is one of the most well liked and dedicated people in our industry.
Barry Hefner
With SinceThe80s, a record label, management, and publishing company, Barry sees the opportunity to elevate music culture that stole his heart as a child by introducing a generation of new legends and movement makers. Barry is outspoken and charismatic. He's the ultimate fighter, teacher, friend, and father figure for not only his family but also his artists. His current roster features J.I.D., EARTHGANG, Sofaygo, Mike Dimes, NJOMZA, Christo, Bakkwoods, Metro Marrs, Hardo, Benji, and more.
Raven B. Varona
Raven B. Varona also known as "RavieB" is a photographer born and raised in The Bronx, NY. She began her photography career shooting concerts and events in downtown New York. Capturing these important cultural moments sparked her photography career. Her work is intimate and colorful-- she wants you to feel a familiarity between her and her subjects. She's worked with a star-studded roster including Adele, Beyonce, Jay Z, Nas and Lebron James. When she's not on set, you can catch her watching reruns on The Office eating spaghetti.
Malita Rice
Malita Rice is the Founder of Mogul Mentality, a boutique management and publishing company. She also holds the post of Vice President of A&R at Warner Records and is the sole VP based in Atlanta. She is recognized globally as an accomplished, high-energy entertainment maven with 10+ years of industry experience. Mogul Mentality's client roster includes Multi-Platinum, Grammy Award winning producers OG Parker, Yung Lan, Romano, and more. While at Warner, she has signed rising superstar Baby Tate. She understands how to navigate the industry's ecosystem as well as the importance of community.
Siddiq Kancey
Siddiq is a Miami native with a passion for music and experience in the technology, fashion, and entertainment industries. After years of experience working within the music and entertainment business at Apple Beats By Dre and Noisenoir, Siddiq started his journey as Hip-Hop Editor at Spotify. At Spotify, he identifies, supports, and grows talent as well as assists in growing the RapCaviar brand. New to Los Angeles, he continues to develop as a player in the ever growing curation of music.
Tamara Simmons
Tamara is an experienced Operations and Day to Day Manager with over a decade of proven expertise working alongside many of the most prominent names in music. Currently, as Director of Operations at SALXCO Management for CEO Wassim Sal Slaiby, she works with chart-topping artists such as The Weeknd, Doja Cat, Swedish House Mafia, French Montana, Bebe Rexha and more. Prior to her time at SALXCO she also worked with The Blueprint Group and Def Jam. She is a power player with a deep passion for empowering women within creative industries, emphasizing the importance of finding purpose and boldly pursuing your passion.
Carter Gregory
Carter is the Senior Director of A&R at Capitol Music Group. His current roster includes acts such as FLETCHER, Duncan Laurence, Boslen, Amelia Moore and others. Carter is determined to usher in and support Black artists and uplift Black creatives throughout the industry -- especially within the LGBTQ+ community. He is incredibly kind, respectful and connected in the industry.
Jamie Crawford-Walker
Jamie moved to the US in 2012 from Berlin to pursue a career in the music industry. After numerous internships at BET, Roc Nation and Republic Records, she nailed her first gig at Epic Records in 2016, where she took on the role of digital strategist and content creator for Epic's artists. In 2019 Jamie started her own company, CameraSeat, which handles the digital strategy and social content creation of numerous artists, including DJ Khaled, Alicia Keys, HER, Marsai Martin, 4th and Broadway and more. She has also recently expanded into the TV space as social media producer on Cardi B's Facebook watch show "CardiTries" and Becky G's talkshow "Face to Face."
Evgle Gang
Evgle is a record label and publishing company founded by Los Angeles rapper, songwriter, and record producer Blxst. In 2020, alongside President Victor Burnett and Partner Karl Fowlkes, Evgle partnered with Red Bull Records for the release of Blxst's debut EP 'No Love Lost' and haven't looked back since. With a #1 hit at urban and rhythmic radio and a sold out national tour, Blxst and Evgle gang aren't slowing down anytime soon. Partner Karl Fowlkes is also a professor at Drexel University and the founder of law firm The Fowlkes Firm that has a vast list of clients including Blxst, Dro Kenji and Section 8. In 2021, Karl was named a Top Attorney by Variety and Bloomberg Law.
Brittany Lewis
Brittany Lewis was born and raused in Dover, Delaware, and attended Howard University in Washington DC. She's an Artist Partnerships Lead at Youtube Music, where she manages relationships with artists and their management teams for Youtube Music marketing campaigns, programmatic partnerships as well as Google music initiatives. Before joining the Youtube Music team, Brittany was the Creative Manager for Hip Hop and R&B at Spotify where she produced and curated Spotify's original video content for their flagship hip-hop playlist, RapCaviar. During her tenure at Spotify, she also was an integral part of RapCaviar's brand marketing and live concert series. Brittany is a TRUE ARTIST ADVOCATE.
Christian McCurdy
Christian McCurdy, is a multi-faceted executive known for his role in developing and breaking talent particularly in A&R and management. After driving to Los Angeles from Nashville, TN in pursuit of the entertainment industry, McCurdy founded Legion, a full service management and publishing company in 2017. Through representing such multi-platinum, Grammy Award winning producers, songwriters, and artists as Nija Charles, Ant Clemons, Jack Rochon etc. he and his team have been instrumental in creating numerous hit records for such artists as Ariana Grande, Kanye West, Drake, Meek Mill, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, and many more. McCurdy is a forward thinking, young executive in touch with both the culture of today as well as the sound of tomorrow.
Ericka Coulter
Ericka is the SVP of A&R at Warner Records and Founder of TheBasement Series. She's a huge advocate of artist discovery and artist development. Throughout her 10+ year career, she's worked with artists such as Rick Ross, Giveon, LAYA and many more. Coulter has strived with her work in the LA music community, creating the platform TheBasement Series. A music showcase focused on highlighting emerging artists, where music executives and tastemakers can network, vibe and discover talent. TheBasement Series has featured artists such as Blxst, G Herbo, Kaash Paige, Kalan Fr.Fr, and others. It's built creative partnerships and had support from the likes of Beats by Dre, Issa Rae Productions, Dropbox, Amazon Music/Rap Rotation & Airbnb. Coulter continues to make her mark in entertainment, while breaking boundaries as a woman in music.
Blu Chapman
Blue is a Tallahassee born music lover, who currently works as an A&R at APG. His love for music first started when he got into Music Engineering in high school, which later helped him find his passion for A&R. He started as an intern at APG and now he's currently a manager of A&R, working on a Florida-bred artist named Soldier Kidd. He's focused on continuously building his roster at APG. He's a young hustler with an ear and hunger for talent.
Dasha Hunter
Dasha Hunter has 7+ years of experience as an immigration consultant for the entertainment industry. She's the founder of the only Black female owned and operated immigration and visa agency and has garnered the respect and business of an exhaustive roster of artist management teams such as Top Dawg Entertainment, 10 Summers Records, The Revels Group, Since The 80's, and more. Her company, Dash Entertainment Solutions, has secured foreign entertainment work visas and expedited passports for Snoop Dogg, Miguel, Janet Jackson, The Wu Tang Clan, YG, JID, and more. Dasha plans to put Dash Entertainment Solutions on the map as the one stop shop for the industries foreign visa and expedited passport logistical needs.
Live Nation Urban
Live Nation Urban (LNU) is a partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, the world's leading live entertainment company. LNU focuses on hip-hop, R&B and gospel. LNU builds platforms, events, and festivals globally, developing dynamic content strategies based upon the live properties created. LNU is the most powerful source for Urban live music. They are the pulse of culture and put on some of the most unforgettable experiences in music today.
Melissa Harvey
Dedicated to event producing, event design and private chef services for over 10 years, Melissa Harvey takes pride in providing luxury services to each of her clients. She has been an integral part in the development of The Revels Group and Big Juice Popping Party Promotion Live experiences. Melissa and her team at The Goldwing Group are known for curating some of the biggest names and brands in the world including Sony Music, Warner Music, Roc Nation, Tidal, Ciroc, Anderson Paak, Saweetie, Kehlani, and more. She is the ultimate hustler.
Fee Banks
He has been Lil Wayne's right-hand man since day one and helped him form his most successful music ventures, Sqad Up and Young Money. Fee has also been instrumental in the careers of Kevin Gates, NBA Youngboy, and Quando Rondo. Fee's management company, Good Money Global has been pivotal in expanding the Baton Rouge music scene with powerhouse acts like Kevin Gates and NBA Youngboy. He is a very humble person and he shows it in every move he makes. He has kept a low profile while maintaining respect from multiple generations in the music industry.
Jada Pollock
"British music manager Jada Pollock is a trailblazing executive who has worked across the fashion, entertainment and lifestyle space for over 11 years. Managing the likes of Tinchy Stryder in the UK. Chris Brown and Pia Mia in the US. For 7+ years, Jada has been successfully managing one of Africa's greatest exports, the Grammy award winning singer/songwriter Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, otherwise known as Wizkid! Taking the US by storm and breaking records no other Afrobeats artist has achieved.
Billboard announced Jada as executive of the week after, Wizkid became the first afro beats artist to ever hit the Billboard hot 100.
Wizkid album ""Made in Lagos"" is the longest charting African album in history spending an enormous 67 weeks on the charts. Jada is determined to continue making a mark in the African music & media Industry."
Tay James
From his irresistible live shows and an unmatched A& prowess displayed on countless Justin Bieber records, to changing and creating the scope of fashion trends, DJ Tay James achieves greatness across the globe. Justin Bieber tapped him to join his live show as his tour DJ in 2009 when James was a mere two months out of college. He's also headlined slots at A-List venues and residencies at Zouk (Las Vegas), LIV (Miami), TAO (Chicago) and Marquee (New York). He is also called upon by an extensive list of celebrity and corporate clients such as Dr. Dre, Kevin Hart, Dave Chapelle, Google, Facebook, Apple, Nike, Don Julio 1942, and Sprite to DJ their private events. With performances on spots such as the VMA's, Saturday Night Live and NPR's Tiny Desk, James' talent is lauded by leading players across the entertainment industry, galvanized by his steadfast fans time and time again.
Raedio
Launched in 2019, Radio serves artists and creators at the highest level as an "audio everywhere company". Radio offers an extensive media platform that aligns acts with film and television projects, podcasts, and act as a label for artists. Radio also provides music supervision services for multiple television projects such as P-Valley, Godfather of Harlem, Power Book Ill: Raising Kanan and more!
Siobhan Bell
London native Siobhan Bell is an up and coming international DU, producer and fashion connoisseur, who brings good vibrations through music & her inner and outer beauty. After graduating college as a Business, Law, Philosophy & Sociology student, Bell decided to pursue music interning as an A&R for Atlantic Records UK, while DJ-ing as a side hustle. She landed her first residency at London's Niketown & now she's DJ'd alongside chart-topping artist's like Megan Thee Stallion, Summer Walker, Skepta, Wizkid and more. And she collaborated with the late & legendary fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld. Bell proves the sky's the limit when it comes to doing what you love, as she effortlessly motivates and inspires females all around the world.
Six Degrees
Six Degrees is an Atlanta-based full-service creative marketing agency that specializes in providing creative marketing solutions for brands and artists worldwide. Founded by Morehouse graduates Bwrightous and Desmond Attmore in 2018, Six Degrees has quickly established itself as one of the premier marketing agencies in the industry and provides creative services including branding, graphic/product design, content production, and experiential marketing.
DaveO Grear
David "Dave" Grear has cemented himself as one of the entertainment industry's leading moguls; music executive, manager, producer, and real estate entrepreneur. Known for helping navigate and catapulting current CMG signee and Billboard Charting heavyweight Mozzy's career, David has also worked closely with Don Toliver, YG, Bixst and has contributed to RIAA certified records for Don Toliver's "Lemonade," Rodwave's "Dark Clouds," Marvel Studio's Grammy Award-winning soundtrack Black Panther & more. Dave's credits include chart topping artists such as MoneyBagg Yo, Lil Durk, Rodwave, Ty Dolla Sign, YG, Mozzy, Bixst, Polo G, Bia, A Boogie wit da Hoodie and music supervisor for the soundtrack to F9 of the Fast & Furious franchise as well as contributions to the Scooby Doo film, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage.
Surmon Neal
Gifted with an ear for music and serving others, Mon is a young, on-the-rise Atlanta executive. He found his passion for music after working at Tennessee State University's campus radio station & left school to pursue a career in music. In February 2020 he started off as an A& intern for Sincethe80's and now he holds the position of Artist Relations Manager home to Earthgang, J.I.D, So Faygo, Metro Marrs, Mike Dimes, Niomza, Christo, Bakkwoods, Hardo, Benji, & more. In July 2021, Mon joined RCA Records as an A&R consultant where he plans to usher in new talent and grow with the company. His lifelong dream is to start a record label one day and follow the footsteps of Berry Gordy.
Tenaya Alissa Medeiros
Tenaya was born and raised in the Bay Area and has a background in fashion, tech, and advertising. She moved to Los Angeles 5 years ago and kick started her career in the music industry at Spotify where she works to help songwriters, producers, and publishers. Throughout the last 5 years Tenaya has been apart of launching Notable, Spotify's brand for songwriters. She has produced writing camps for Boi-1da, Frank Dukes, James Fauntleroy and most recently a "Frequency" camp for all black artists, songwriters, and producers.
Atlee Gallimore
Born and raised in LA, Atlee is an A&R at RCA Records. After working on the Judas and the Black Messiah Inspired Album and Who Is Nardo Wick project, Atlee is currently help put together Stunna Gambino's upcoming album. Aside from his love for music, Atlee is a die hard Golden State Warriors fan and is hoping for a 2022 championship.
Bria Fisher
Bria is a National Publicist who works across Biz 3's star-studded roster. Their clientele is exceptionally diverse from rap to pop to experimental to metal. Bria's ability to forge genuine relationships with artists and their teams makes her stand out in a crowded field. Throughout her time at Biz 3 she's executed campaigns for Maxo Kream, Wale, Asiahn, Larry June, and JAHMED to name a few. Before that, she's worked on strategy and high level Grammy campaigns for Jhené Aiko and 21 Savage, as well as other sectors including NBA Star Damian Lillard (aka Dame D.O.L.L.A.) and Black Lives Matter Global Network.