The producers: whether creating groundbreaking movies, developing original TV programs, or making soulful music, these 50 power brokers call the shots in America's most dynamic industries. (Business Of Entertainment)(Cover Story).FROM TIMES SQUARE TO TINSEL TOWN, WHICH PLAYERS REALLY have the juice? It has been eight years since we've compiled the BLACK ENTERPRISE Top 50 Black Power Brokers in Entertainment. We decided to unveil the current top dogs in film, television, and music because these industries have experienced dramatic changes over the past decade. Among the factors that have altered the landscape are: * A new generation of players. In 1994, Generation Xers weren't prominent on the list. But today many of them have managed to build a successful track record in the business or significant wattage wattage the output or consumption of an electric device expressed in watts. bright enough to be considered for this list. * The growing influence of hip-hop culture in film, television, and, of course, music. A number of rap artists have reinvented themselves as multimedia moguls. Also, more studio execs, agents, and lawyers have expanded their effective force and catapulted their careers by signing such talent. * Technology. The Internet has provided a vehicle for creative development, innovative marketing, and experimentation. Many professionals and entrepreneurs have built Websites as a means of reaching new audiences--in many cases, on an international scale. Another reason we took this inventory of power has to do with how we spend our consumer dollars. According to Entertainment Index by Nielsen Entertainment in White Plains, New York For other places with the same name, see White Plains (disambiguation). White Plains is a city in south-central Westchester County, New York, about 4 miles (6 km) east of the Hudson River and . African Americans pump millions of dollars into the industry, representing $906.8 million in sales on prerecorded pre·re·cord tr.v. pre·re·cord·ed, pre·re·cord·ing, pre·re·cords To record (a television program, for example) at an earlier time for later presentation or use. Adj. 1. music and $368.9 million in sales on movie theater tickets for the first six months of 2002. Moreover, according to Nielson Media Research, blacks watch 14 hours and 29 minutes of television per week, more than any other group in the nation. Also, in recent years, organizations such as the NAACP NAACP in full National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Oldest and largest U.S. civil rights organization. It was founded in 1909 to secure political, educational, social, and economic equality for African Americans; W.E.B. Du Bois and Ida B. have sought to change the abysmal representation of blacks in the industry. Jeff Friday, executive director of the African American Film Festival, says, "In Hollywood, power comes in two forms: executive power in which those at the studio can green-light a film, an area where we are not represented, and artistic power in which actors like Denzel, Ice Cube, and Wesley [Snipes Snipes (Diminutive for Snipers) is a text-mode networked computer game that was created in 1983 by SuperSet software. Snipes is officially credited as being the original inspiration for Novell NetWare. ] can get their films made because of their branding and box office draw." So how did we pick the BE Power Brokers? Our editorial team engaged in extensive research and consulted with a bevy bevy a flock of birds. of industry insiders. We selected professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs who hold the levers of control or exercise the most influence in the development and production of music, motion pictures, and broadcast and cable television programs. (See sidebar for criteria.) This register changed substantially from the original list we developed in 1994. To begin with, 32 individuals who appeared on the previous list didn't make the cut this time around. And there were differences in the number of players found in each sector. Music and television, for instance, have the same number of representatives--16 each. Film had eight representatives. There were six lawyers/agents on the list and four individuals who delve equally into film, television, and music. This group, however, is just as entrepreneurial: roughly 50% of these power brokers own their own record label, production company, artist management business, or law firm. And, collectively and individually, they wield significantly more clout. For example, a new inductee is Richard D. Parsons, CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of AOL (A division of Time Warner, Inc., New York, NY, www.aol.com) The world's largest online information service with access to the Internet, e-mail, chat rooms and a variety of databases and services. Time Warner, the media leviathan leviathan (lēvī`əthən), in the Bible, aquatic monster, presumably the crocodile, the whale, or a dragon. It was a symbol of evil to be ultimately defeated by the power of good. that owns, among other things, Warner Bros BROS Brothers BROS Benefits and Retirement Operations Section (King County, Washington) BROS Barnes and Richmond Operatic Society (London, UK) . and New Line studios, Elecktra Records, TNT TNT: see trinitrotoluene. TNT in full trinitrotoluene Pale yellow, solid organic compound made by adding nitrate (−NO2) groups to toluene. and TBS networks, and Six Flags amusement parks. But despite the progress shown on our register, African Americans still have a way to go to get their deserved slice of the power pie. The statistics speak volumes: There are no black studio chiefs and only one black CEO of an entertainment network--billionaire Robert Johnson who presides over Viacom's Black Entertainment Television (BET). And there are literally a handful of black agents who negotiate significant deals at major talent agencies such as International Creative Management (ICM ICM Intercom ICM Integrated Crop Management ICM International Congress of Mathematicians ICM Information Classification and Management ICM Intelligent Contact Management (Cisco) ICM International Creative Management ). Our list of power brokers offer the best hope for diversifying the industry's upper ranks and changing the world of entertainment. SELECTION CRITERIA FOR THE TOP 50 BLACK POWERS BROKERS IN ENTERTAINMENT those chose have the ability to develop content, negotiate sign on deals, oversee the production process, control budgets, and hire and fire talent. * They have the ability to green-light projects or influence the process at the highest level, as well as exercise creative and financial control of their projects. * They are responsible for the bottom line of their project or company. * Their creative products and services are consistently in demand from the top brass at major television and film studios or record companies. * They are entrepreneurs who own production companies and record labels and have been given the best terms as it relates to joint ventures or distribution agreements. * They are power brokers with proven track records and significant influence throughout their industry. CLARENCE AVANT Title: Principal, Avant Garde Publishing, Interior Records Why He's Powerful: He is called "The Godfather" for a reason. Industry insiders say there are only a handful of people who have mentored and groomed as many careers as Avant. It was his deal-making prowess and business acumen that enabled producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis to cut lucrative music publishing The contractual relationship between a songwriter or music composer and a music publisher, whereby the writer assigns part or all of his or her music copyrights to the publisher in exchange for the publisher's commercial exploitation of the music. and production deals. Avant was also instrumental in helping Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds “Babyface” redirects here. For other uses, see Babyface (disambiguation). This biographical article or section needs additional references for verification. Please help [ to improve this article] by adding additional sources. create LaFace Records (which has since been folded into Arista arista (ä·riˑ·st ), and he counseled Motown's management team about restructuring its operations when he served as chairman from 1993 to 1998. Although he's in semiretirement, the entrepreneur who conducts business in sweat suits and sneakers, still serves as consigliere con·si·glie·re n. pl. con·si·glie·ri An adviser or counselor, especially to a capo or leader of an organized crime syndicate. [Italian, from Latin c to emerging artists as well as industry power brokers. The Godfather still has much juice. Career Track: A superb deal maker, Avant negotiated the first joint venture between an African American artist and a major record company in the late '60s. By 1971, he formed his own outfit, Sussex Records, and signed popular artists such as Bill Withers withers the region over the backline where the neck joins the thorax and where the dorsal margins of the scapulae lie just below the skin. fistulous withers see fistulous withers. , Dennis Coffey, and The Presidents. The label became so successful it was ranked among the BE 100s. Shortly after, Avant purchased KAGB-FM, becoming one of the first blacks to own an FM radio station. In the '80s, he launched Tabu Records. Big Break: The North Carolina native began his career 36 years ago, managing the careers of notables such as jazz organist Jimmy Smith and composer Lalo Schifrin. STEPHANIE ALLAIN Title: President of Production, Jim Henson Pictures Age: 43 Education: B.A., University of California, Santa Cruz The University of California, Santa Cruz, also known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is a public, collegiate university, one of the ten campuses of the University of California. Why She's Powerful: Allain is in charge of The Muppets. Don't laugh. The Muppets represent a multi-billion-dollar franchise. As the president of production for Jim Henson Pictures, a joint venture between Jim Henson Productions and Sony Pictures Entertainment, Allain is calling the shots in development and production of 10 to 15 films over the next five years. Career Track: The New Orleans native got her start in motion pictures as a story analyst for Warner Bros., Twentieth Century Fox, and Creative Artists Agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) is a talent and literary agency which represents a vast array of actors, musicians, writers, directors, and athletes, as well as a variety of companies and their products. . She is credited with bringing John Singleton to Columbia (Boyz N the Hood, Poetic Justice, and Higher Learning collectively grossed $123 million). In 1996 she moved to the Jim Henson Company and, among other projects, served as executive producer of the 1999 hit Muppets From Space, which grossed $127 million. Big Break: Becoming a story analyst for major motion picture houses. STEPHEN D. BARNES Title: Partner, Bloom, Hergott, Diemer & Cook Age: 49 Education: B.A., University of Southern California The U.S. News & World Report ranked USC 27th among all universities in the United States in its 2008 ranking of "America's Best Colleges", also designating it as one of the "most selective universities" for admitting 8,634 of the almost 34,000 who applied for freshman admission ; J.D., Harvard Law Why He's Powerful: As a partner in the prominent entertainment law firm Bloom, Hergott, Diemer & Cook, Barnes' clients include, among others, Babyface, Snoop Dogg, and Chris Rock. He sits on the board of a number of charitable and nonprofit organizations, including a national scholarship competition for law students, and holds a conference during Grammy week for members of the Recording Academy and students. Career Track: In 1989, Barnes accepted a partnership with Bloom, Hergott, Diemer & Cook. He gives frequent lectures at law schools and universities. Big Break: Upon graduating from Harvard, Barnes began his career in entertainment law when he formed a firm, Nelson, Barnes & Sheehan, with two other young lawyers. CARL BEVERLY Title: Senior Vice President, Drama Development and Current Programming, Universal Television Age: 30 Education: B.S., Business University of Southern California; J.D., University of Southern California Why He's Powerful: His duties include developing projects and shepherding Universal's new slate of dramas for the upcoming season, including American Dreams, Robbery Homicide Division Robbery Homicide Division (RHD) was an American police procedural television series on CBS, created by Barry Schindel with famed executive producer Michael Mann. , and Mister Sterling. Beverly also oversees the current series The Agency and The District, which air on CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. . Career Track: After working for three years in the business and legal affairs department of Warner Chappell Music, Beverly joined Sony Pictures Entertainment. At Sony, Beverly worked on the desk of Chairman/CEO Peter Guber, where he was exposed to the areas of marketing, distribution, and production. While in law school, Beverly began working for the president of Columbia Tri-Star Television and upon graduation was promoted to manager of drama development. Prior to working for Universal Television, Beverly was responsible for the development of several NBC NBC in full National Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. commercial broadcasting company. It was formed in 1926 by RCA Corp., General Electric Co. (GE), and Westinghouse and was the first U.S. company to operate a broadcast network. series. Big Break: Beverly began his career in the entertainment industry as an intern for A&M records. MARK CHEATHAM Title: Vice President, Urban Contemporary Music, International Creative Management (ICM) Age: 42 Education: B.A., Southern Illinois University Southern Illinois University, main campus at Carbondale; state supported; coeducational; est. 1869, opened 1874 as a normal school, renamed 1947. It has a center for archaeological investigation and a fisheries research laboratory. There is also a campus at Edwardsville. Why He's Powerful: Cheatham is one of the few African American talent agents in the entertainment industry. He has represented Eddie Murphy, Mary J. Bilge bilge n. 1. Nautical a. The rounded portion of a ship's hull, forming a transition between the bottom and the sides. b. The lowest inner part of a ship's hull. 2. Bilge water. 3. , Brandy, India.Arie, and DMX See DMX512. . He has also packaged major concert tours for clients including Cash Money, whose artists include rappers B.G. and Juvenile; Ruff Ryders, which includes chart busters Eve, The Lox lox 1 n. pl. lox or lox·es Smoked salmon. [Yiddish laks, from Middle High German lahs, salmon, from Old High German; see laks- , and Jadakiss; Nelly; and Usher. In the future, Cheatham hopes to create a division at ICM that will focus on urban-based film and television projects. Career Track: Cheatham worked as a stockbroker for Merill Lynch in the early '80s. But after the showbiz bug bit, he left the Street to become a deal maker in the entertainment industry. Big Break: Cheatham started out in the business like a number of industry powerhouses, including Creative Artists Agency (CAA Caa See CCC. ) former head Michael Ovitz, Disney chief Michael Eisner, and Studios USA honcho Honcho A slang term describing the leader or person in charge of an organization. Notes: The CEO of a company could be referred to as the honcho or "head honcho." See also: CEO, CFO, COO, Insider, Leprechaun Leader Barry Diller--in the mailroom. Cheatham rose from delivering correspondence to his current position at ICM. SEAN n. 1. A seine. See Seine. "P. DIDDY" COMBS Title: Chairman and CEO, Bad Boy Entertainment Age: 33 Education: Howard University Why He's Powerful: He is the visionary who created and oversees a $300 million entertainment empire that includes Bad Boy Records; Combs Music Publishing, a copublishing venture with EMI (ElectroMagnetic Interference) An electrical disturbance in a system due to natural phenomena, low-frequency waves from electromechanical devices or high-frequency waves (RFI) from chips and other electronic devices. Allowable limits are governed by the FCC. Music Publishing that manages more than 500 copyrights; and Janice Combs Management, which manages music producers. When the joint venture between Bad Boy and BMG's Arista Records was terminated in June, Combs retained complete control of his platinum artist roster, which includes Faith Evans, and of course, P. Diddy himself. He also controls an apparel company (Sean John clothing), restaurants (Justin's in New York City New York City: see New York, city. New York City City (pop., 2000: 8,008,278), southeastern New York, at the mouth of the Hudson River. The largest city in the U.S. and Atlanta), and a state-of-the-art recording studio (Daddy's House Studios). Career Track: Combs launched Bad Boy in 1993 with two artists: Craig Mack and the late Notorious B.I.G. Through the joint venture with Arista, Combs built up his artist roster and his reputation. Big Break: He started out as an intern for Uptown Records. At 19 he became director of A&R, credited with shaping the career of Mary J. Bilge. Combs' mentor, former Uptown and Motown CEO Andre Harrell, would eventually work for him as president of Bad Boy. DAMON DASH & SHAWN "JAY-Z" CARTER Title: Partners, Roc-A-Fella Enterprises Age: 31 (Dash) Why They're Powerful: Entrepreneur Dash and rapper Carter are the masterminds behind Roc-A-Fella Center, a cluster of companies driven by their $100 million record label, Roc-A-Fella Records, a 50/50 joint venture with Universal's Def Jam. In addition to producing 10 gold and platinum records for artists such as DJ Clue, Memphis Bleek, Beanie Sigel, and of course, Jay-Z, the company's film division, Roc-A-Fella Films, has boosted revenues with Backstage, a concert documentary on the Hard Knock Life tour, and the movie State Property, Dash and Carter have also created a successful apparel line, Rocawear, to the tune of $150 million in gross sales. Career Track: Carter struggled for years to break into the business. But everything changed in 1995 when he and childhood friends, Dash and Kareem "Biggs" Burke, decided to start a record label. The trio pressed their own records and sold them from the trunks of their cars. Mainstream music executives noticed the upstart company after Carter collaborated on a track with Del Jam artist Foxy Brown. Roc-A-Fella took off after Dash and Carter went into partnership with Del Jam, which was founded by hip-hop pioneer Russell Simmons. Big Break: In 1999 Roc-A-Fella's 54-city Hard Knock Life tour took in $18 million in box office receipts, becoming one of the highest-grossing national tours in rap history. LISA The first personal computer to include integrated software and use a graphical interface. Modeled after the Xerox Star and introduced in 1983 by Apple, it was ahead of its time, but never caught on due to its $10,000 price and slow speed. E. DAVIS Davis, city (1990 pop. 46,209), Yolo co., central Calif.; settled in the 1850s, inc. 1917. It is an education center with light industry; machinery, processed foods, and computer equipment are produced. The extensive Univ. Title: Partner, Frankfurt, Garbus, Kurnit, Klein & Selz PC Age: 43 Education: B.A., Harvard University; J.D., NYU NYU New York University NYU New York Undercover (TV show) School of Law Why She's Powerful: Davis is a partner in a paramount New York media and entertainment law firm, which represents prominent actors, authors, filmmakers, film distribution companies, and magazines. Davis is a pro bono member of the board of trustees board of trustees Politics The posse of thugs who oversee an institution's administration. See Board of directors. of East Harlem School at Exodus House. Career Track: Davis worked as a law clerk for Judge Constance Baker Motley Constance Baker Motley (14 September 1921–28 September 2005) was an African American civil rights activist, lawyer, judge, and state senator. She was born in New Haven, Connecticut, the ninth of twelve children. (1985-1986). She also worked as a litigation An action brought in court to enforce a particular right. The act or process of bringing a lawsuit in and of itself; a judicial contest; any dispute. When a person begins a civil lawsuit, the person enters into a process called litigation. associate at Kramer, Levin, Naftalis, Kamen & Frankel from 1986 until 1988. Big Break: NYU classmate Loretha Jones (now a producer) and filmmaker Spike Lee (a Brooklyn neighbor and fellow NYU graduate) were instrumental in getting Davis in the door at Frankfurt and Garbus. SUZANNE DE PASSE Suzanne de Passe (born in 1948 in New York City, New York) is an American entertainment executive; the CEO of television production company de Passe Entertainment; and the first and only African-American woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for writing. Title: Chairman and CEO, de Passe Entertainment Age: 54 Education: Syracuse University Why She's Powerful: One of the most prolific producers in television, de Passe has gained a reputation for producing quality entertainment with staying power. In fact, her programming has earned her multiple Emmy Awards and nominations as well as prestigious honors like the Peabody Award and the Golden Globe award. This year she teamed up with The Heritage Networks to produce a revamped It's Showtime at the Apollo Showtime at the Apollo (formerly It's Showtime at the Apollo) is a syndicated music television show, first broadcast in September 12, 1987[1][2], and is produced by the Apollo Theater. , the popular syndicated variety show. and over the past few years, she has produced a slate of specials and broadcast and cable TV movies. Career Track: Her story is the subject of two Harvard Business School Harvard Business School, officially named the Harvard Business School: George F. Baker Foundation, and also known as HBS, is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University. case studies. More than 30 years ago, de Passe started her career as a creative assistant to Berry Gordy, the legendary chairman of Motown Records. She was credited with discovering the Jackson Five and rose to the position of president of Motown Productions, overseeing the creation of such awarding-winning and highly rated programs as Lonesome lone·some adj. 1. a. Dejected because of a lack of companionship. See Synonyms at alone. b. Producing such dejection: a lonesome hour at the bar. 2. Dove, Small Sacrifices, The Jacksons: An American Dream, and Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever. In 1992 she started de Passe Entertainment and has consistently produced major programs. JERMAINE DUPRI Title: CEO, So So Def Recordings So So Def Recordings is a record label, based out of Atlanta, Georgia and owned by Jermaine Dupri, specializing in Southern hip hop, R&B, and bass music. Label history Inc. Age: 29 Why He's Powerful: Dupri is the force behind So So Def, a $10 million joint venture with Sony's Columbia Records. Since the deal's inception in 1991, Dupri has racked up more than 20 gold and platinum albums and a roster of talent, including Lil Bow Wow, R&B group Jagged Edge, and female rapper Da Brat. Career Track: Dupri's father, a former music executive, introduced his son to the industry at an early age. By 19, Dupri had discovered the preteen pre·teen adj. 1. Relating to or designed for children especially between the ages of 10 and 12. 2. Being a child especially between the ages of 10 and 12; preadolescent. n. A preteen boy or girl. rap duo Kris Kross. Dupri developed the act and wrote and produced their debut album, Totally Krossed Out, which featured the smash hit "Jump." When the album was released in 1993, it sold seven million copies and was one of the first rap albums to cross over into the pop genre. In 1998, Dupri released his platinum-selling debut album Jermaine Dupri Presents Life In 1472. Big Break: Discovering Kris Kross. KENNETH "BABYFACE" & TRACEY E. EDMONDS Title: Partners, Edmonds Entertainment Age: 43 (Babyface), 35 (Tracey) Education: B.S., Stanford University (Tracey) Why They're Powerful: Over the past five years this duet has proven they can provide entertainment that is diverse as well as profitable. Through Edmonds Entertainment Group Inc., the husband and wife team has created a multimedia conglomerate that has its tentacles in film, television, and music. In 1997 the company made the highly successful motion picture Soul Food, which grossed $43 million. The film also produced a multiplatinum sound track and a popular television series spin-off. Other projects include Josie and the Pussycats Josie and the Pussycats are a fictitious rock band created by Dan DeCarlo. They have been featured in a number of different media since the 1960s:
Career Track: Singer Babyface has grown into an astute businessman who learned how to cultivate talent as co-founder of LaFace Records. Tracey, Edmonds Entertainment's president and CEO, began her career in real estate. In 1993 the two decided to combine their skills and form their multimillion dollar empire. KIM FLEARY Title: Senior Vice President, Comedy Development United Paramount Network (UPN UPN User Principal Name (Microsoft Windows 2000) UPN United Paramount Network UPN Unión del Pueblo Navarro (Navarrese People Union) UPN Umgekehrte Polnische Notation ) Education: B.A., New York University New York University, mainly in New York City; coeducational; chartered 1831, opened 1832 as the Univ. of the City of New York, renamed 1896. It comprises 13 schools and colleges, maintaining 4 main centers (including the Medical Center) in the city, as well as the Why She's Powerful: Fleary oversees the development of all scripted comedy series at the network, including Girlfriends and The Parkers. Career Track: Fleary has more than 20 years of experience in the industry. During her tenure at ABC ABC in full American Broadcasting Co. Major U.S. television network. It began when the expanding national radio network NBC split into the separate Red and Blue networks in 1928. , from 1983 to 1996, she rose to the position of senior vice president, comedy/variety series development. Most recently, she was in charge of development for H. Beale Company, the late Brandon Tartikoff's production outfit, where she served as executive producer on the critically acclaimed Showtime series Beggars and Choosers Beggars and Choosers may refer to:
Big Break: During her tenure at ABC, Fleary developed several top-rated sitcoms, including Roseanne and Home Improvement. KELLY GOODE GOODE Generic Object-Oriented Dynamic Environment Title: Senior Vice President of Programming, Lifetime Television Age: 41 Education: B.A., Harvard University Why She's Powerful: Goode is responsible for advancing Lifetime's original series, including primetime dramas, select daytime and reality series, and comedy development. She helped develop and launch Strong Medicine, The Division, Any Day Now, and For the People. Career Track: Prior to joining Lifetime, Goode held a variety of positions at CBS, including vice president, series development and senior director, comedy development. During her tenure at CBS she developed and supervised Touched by an Angel, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman is multi-Emmy Award winning western/dramatic television series in the United States, created by Beth Sullivan. It ran on CBS for six seasons, from January 1st, 1993 to May 16th, 1998. , and Under One Roof. Big Break: Goode was hired as vice president of programs for CBS productions in the mid 1990s. FELICIA D. HENDERSON Title: Executive Producer, Soul Food for TV (Showtime Network) Age: 36 Education: B.A., UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX ; M.F.A., UCLA; M.B.A., University of Georgia Organization The President of the University of Georgia (as of 2007, Michael F. Adams) is the head administrator and is appointed and overseen by the Georgia Board of Regents. Why She's Powerful: Henderson's prowess has enabled her to achieve something unheard of in television: a 40-episode pickup for her Showtime series Soul Food, proving the viability of an African American family drama. Moreover, a three-year deal with Paramount to develop comedies and dramas, as well as a three-picture deal with Fox Searchlight Pictures to produce feature films, will give Henderson the chance to call the shots on other vehicles. Career Track: Henderson started her career on Wall Street. She changed course when she was awarded the NBC National Fellowship. Henderson's career in television included writing for Family Matters and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, as well as producing Moesha and Sister, Sister. ANDREW HORNE Title: Vice President, Drama Development Paramount Network Television Age: 43 Education: B.S., Vassar College Why He's Powerful: Horne is responsible for developing one-hour dramas for network and cable television. One of the few black Hollywood executives who can influence the green-lighting process, Horne's job is to identify and create the next big franchise for Paramount such as Jag, Ed, and Enterprise. Career Track: With an eye for the next audience-grabbing project, Horne has become a major player over the last decade. He obtained the rights to Blade, a Marvel Comics property about a black vampire hunter, which he helped develop and produce as a vehicle for action star Wesley Snipes. Horne also developed the Emmy Award-winning HBO Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBO) A form of oxygen therapy in which the patient breathes oxygen in a pressurized chamber. Mentioned in: Ozone Therapy animated series Spawn, which was also based on a successful comic book. Prior to joining Paramount in 2000, he served as vice president for Edmonds Entertainment, where he was responsible for comedy and drama development, including converting the motion picture Soul Food into a weekly series on the Showtime cable network. Big Break: From 1996 to 1998, he served as vice president of current programs for Warner Bros. Television Warner Bros. Television is the television production and distribution arm of Time Warner's Warner Bros. Entertainment and The CW Television Network (in which Warner has a 50% ownership stake). . PEARLENA IGBOKWE Title: Vice President, Original Programming, Showtime Age: 36 Education: B.A., Yale University M.B.A., Columbia Business School Columbia Business School (part of Columbia University), officially named the Columbia University Graduate School of Business, and also known as CBS, was established in 1916 to provide business training and professional preparation for undergraduate and graduate Why She's Powerful: Igbokwe is responsible for the development and production of various original movies and series for Showtime. She currently oversees creative affairs for the Showtime series Soul Food and the upcoming original movie Jasper, Texas. Career Track: Igbokwe managed the direct response broadcast for Showtime's marketing department, where she worked on marketing campaigns and managed creative development and media buying. Before joining Showtime, she was a market analyst at HBO, a media planner at Ogilvy & Mather, and a group account executive at Prudential. Big Break: Showtime's president of programming, Jerry Offsay, plucked Igbokwe from the company's marketing department. O'SHEA "ICE CUBE" JACKSON Title: CEO, Cube Vision Age: 33 Why He's Powerful: From gangsta Noun 1. gangsta - (Black English) a member of a youth gang AAVE, African American English, African American Vernacular English, Black English, Black English Vernacular, Black Vernacular, Black Vernacular English, Ebonics - a nonstandard form of American English rapper to full-fledge movie mogul, Ice Cube has gained a reputation for producing movies that consistently perform at the box office. Ice Cube's first film, Friday, grossed an impressive $27 million when it was released in 1995. The sequel, Next Friday, produced under Ice Cube's production company Cube Vision, raked in $57 million at the box office. And this fall, Ice Cube hit another home run with Barbershop, which has produced overall box office receipts of more than $60 million. Career Track: A native of South Central Los Angeles, Ice Cube's first big gig was as a member of N.W.A., the pioneering gangsta rap gang·sta rap also gangster rap n. A style of rap music associated with urban street gangs and characterized by violent, tough-talking, often misogynistic lyrics. group. The group's 1988 debut album, Straight Outta Compton, was a smash hit, selling 3 million albums. In 1989 Ice Cube left the group and decided to go solo. In 1991 he would be pulled to the motion picture industry after his starring role in Boyz N the Hood, the sleeper hit directed by John Singleton. Shortly thereafter, Ice Cube decided to produce his own movies. Big Break: At the age of 16, Ice Cube sold his first rap song, Boyz N the Hood, to the late EZ-E of N.W.A. fame. ROBERT L. JOHNSON Robert L. Johnson (born April 8, 1946) is an American businessman and the founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), and was its chairman and chief executive officer. Title: Founder and CEO, BET Age: 56 Education: B.A., University of Illinois University of Illinois may refer to:
Why He's Powerful: Johnson oversees the operations of Black Entertainment Television, a subsidiary of Viacom and the leading African American-operated media and entertainment company in the United States. Career Track: Prior to starting BET, Johnson served as vice president of government relations for the National Cable & Telecommunications Association, which represents more than 1,500 cable television companies. He was also the press secretary for the Hon. Walter E. Fauntroy This article needs sources or references that appear in reliable, third-party publications. Alone, primary sources and sources affiliated with the subject of this article are not sufficient for an accurate encyclopedia article. , former congressional delegate from the District of Columbia District of Columbia, federal district (2000 pop. 572,059, a 5.7% decrease in population since the 1990 census), 69 sq mi (179 sq km), on the east bank of the Potomac River, coextensive with the city of Washington, D.C. (the capital of the United States). , and he worked for the Washington, D.C., Urban League and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) is a private non-profit corporation which is chartered and funded by the United States Federal Government to promote public broadcasting. The CPB was created on November 7, 1967 when U.S. president Lyndon B. . Interesting Fact: In 1991 BET became the first African American-controlled company listed on the New York Stock Exchange New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) World's largest marketplace for securities. The exchange began as an informal meeting of 24 men in 1792 on what is now Wall Street in New York City. . QUINCY JONES Title: CEO, Q West Productions Age: 69 Education: Berklee College of Music Berklee College of Music, founded in 1945, is an independent music college in Boston, Massachusetts, with many prominent faculty, staff, alumni, and visiting artists. It has an enrollment of approximately 3,900 students and a 2004 faculty of approximately 430. Why He's Powerful: Nicknamed "Q," Jones is a prolific composer of numerous film and television scores and the founder of VIBE magazine. Jones has recently focused on working in film and television production. Career Track: Jones celebrates more than 50 years performing and being involved in music. He has worked as a composer, record producer, arranger, conductor, instrumentalist, TV producer, record company executive, magazine founder, and multimedia entrepreneur. Jones has won 26 Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy's Trustees Award, and an Emmy. He holds the record for the most Grammy nominations with a total of 77. He produced the scores for 33 major motion pictures. Big Break: He broke into the film industry in 1985 when he coproduced the motion picture The Color Purple. He earned worldwide acclaim for producing, "We Are the World," and produced the best-selling album in the history of the recording industry, Michael Jackson's Thriller, selling more than 45 million copies and counting. CHARLES KING Title: Agent, Motion Picture Department, William Morris Agency Founded in 1898, the William Morris Agency is the largest diversified talent and literary agency in the world, with offices in New York City, Beverly Hills, Nashville, Miami, London, and Shanghai. (WMA (Windows Media Audio) An audio compression method from Microsoft. Known originally as MSAudio, this proprietary format competes with the MP3 and AAC methods. WMA encodes rapidly and is known to be especially effective at low bit rates. ) Age: 33 Education: B.A., Vanderbilt University; J.D., Howard University Why He's Powerful: King cuts deals for superstars. His clients include notables such as Spike Lee, Charles Dutton (the actor-turned-director who won an Emmy in 2000 for HBO's The Corner), and Tim Story, the rising star who directed the highly successful Barbershop. He also represents Antwone Fisher, whose memoirs were adapted into a screenplay produced by Denzel Washington's Mundy Lane Entertainment. Career Track: King served as a law clerk and then legal consultant for MTV Networks and America Online. Big Break: King was instrumental in signing hip-hop diva Missy Elliott. DEBRA DEBRA Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America L. LEE Title: President & COO, BET Age: 47 Education: A.B., Brown University; M.A., John F. Kennedy School of Government The John F. Kennedy School of Government, colloquially known as the Kennedy School of Government (KSG) or simply the Kennedy School, is a public policy school and one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. at Harvard University; J.D., Harvard Law School Harvard Law School (colloquially, Harvard Law or HLS) is one of the professional graduate schools of Harvard University. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard Law is considered one of the most prestigious law schools in the United States. Why She's Powerful: Lee is directly responsible for much of the success Black Entertainment Television (BET) has experienced in the last 16 years. The highest-ranking African American female executive at Viacom (BET's parent company), Lee has led the groundbreaking, African American cable network's evolution into original movies, documentaries, concert specials, news, late night talk shows, and public policy coverage. She is currently working toward exceeding last season's 35% ratings growth. Career Track: Lee joined BET as a vice president and general counsel in 1986 from corporate law firm Steptoe & Johnson. She has held positions in BET's legal department, served as corporate secretary, and been president and publisher of BET's publishing division. Before rising to president and COO in 1996, Lee was BET's executive vice president of strategic business development. SPIKE LEE Title: CEO, 40 Acres & a Mule Productions Age: 44 Education: B.A., Morehouse College; M.F.A., New York University Why He's Powerful: After almost 20 years in the business, Spike Lee still has the power. Over the past two years he has directed Jim Brown: All-American, a documentary about the controversial athlete-actor; The Original Kings of Comedy; and Freak, comedian John Leguizamo's Broadway show, for HBO. In recent years, 40 Acres & a Mule has produced Showtime's 3 A.M, Love and Basketball, and The Best Man. Throughout his career, Lee, one of Hollywood's most vocal critics, has pressured studios to increase budgets for black films. He has also used his clout to help new talent. Career Track: Lee followed the success of She's Got To Have It with a string of thought-provoking films, including Do the Right Thing, Malcolm X, and Get On the Bus. Big Break: In 1986 Lee made She's Gotta Have It with a budget of $175,000. The film grossed $7 million. YVETTE LEE BOWSER Yvette Denise Lee Bowser (born July 9, 1965) is an American television writer and producer. She is perhaps best known for writing and producing Half & Half, Living Single, and A Different World. Title: President, SisterLee Productions Age: 37 Education: B.A., Stanford University Why She's Powerful: She is one of an elite group of African Americans who create and executive produce network television series. She has contributed programming to Fox, The WB, and UPN, and is the first black to have two network programs on the air at the same time. Career Track: Bowser Bowser may mean:
Big Break: As a senior in college, she worked on A Different World. KEVIN LILES Title: President, Def Jam/Def Soul Records Age: 34 Education: Morgan State University Morgan State University, formerly Centenary Biblical Institute (1867-1890), Morgan College (1890-1938) Morgan State College (1938 -1975), is located in residential Baltimore, Maryland. Why He's Powerful: Liles manages the day-to-day operations of Def Jam/Def Soul Records, home to DMX, Method Man, Musiq Soulchild, Redman, and LL Cool J. As president, he has been instrumental in developing joint ventures with Roc-A-Fella Records and Murder Inc and is responsible for more than doubling the label's revenues to over $250 million. Career Track: Liles joined the label in 1992 as an intern and rose steadily up the ranks, becoming general manager and vice president of promotions in 1996. Two years later, he was appointed president of Def Jam/Def Soul (the same year the label was folded into the Universal Music Group as part of its sale to Seagram, now known as Vivendi Universal). Groomed by two of rap music's most powerful moguls, Russell Simmons, CEO of Rush Communications (No. 16 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 with $192 million in gross sales) and founder of Def Jam records, and Lyor Cohen, Island/Def Jam Music Group chairman & CEO, Liles was considered an integral part of the label's rebirth. Big Break: The Baltimore native formed the rap group Numarx in 1989 and started his own label, Marx Brothers Records. IRVING "IRV IRV inspiratory reserve volume. IRV abbr. inspiratory reserve volume IRV inspiratory reserve volume. GOTTI" LORENZO Title: CEO, Murder Inc. Records Parent Company Founder(s) Distributing label Universal Music Group Irv Gotti Universal Records Murder Inc. Records was formed in 1997, after Irv Gotti decided he wanted to own his own label. He signed Ja Rule in 1998 who would go on to become an extremely popular rapper. Age: 31 Why He's Powerful: Irv Gotti is slaying the competition with his hip-hop music label Murder Inc. The label, distributed by Island Def Jam Here is a list of artists signed to The Island Def Jam Music Group. 0-9
Career Track: Born in New York City, just 10 blocks from where Def Jam founder Russell Simmons grew up, Gotti got started in the music business at the age of 12 when he received DJ equipment as a gift from his siblings. After becoming one of the hottest DJs in his neighborhood, he recorded his first song with Mic Geronimo, a rapper he met at a talent show, and it got airplay air·play n. The broadcasting of an audio or audiovisual recording on the air over radio or television. airplay Noun the broadcast performances of a record on radio on a local radio station. Eventually, Gotti landed a job in Def Jam's A&R department and impressed the top brass with his ears and eyes for talent, signing multiplatinum stars such as DMX. His success led to his joint venture with Def Jam. Big Break: Landing his first A&R job at TVT Records. DEBRA MARTIN CHASE Debra Martin Chase (11 October 1956 - ) is a Hollywood producer and former lawyer who was named by Savoy magazine in August 2003 as one of the 100 most influential African Americans in the United States and by Black Enterprise magazine in 2007 as one of the Title: CEO, Martin Chase Productions Education: B.A., Mount Holyoke College Mount Holyoke College (hōl`yōk), at South Hadley, Mass.; for women; chartered 1836, opened 1837 as Mount Holyoke Female Seminary under Mary Lyon, rechartered as Mount Holyoke College 1893. There is a noteworthy art museum on campus. ; J.D., Harvard Law School Why She's Powerful: Manages her own Disney-based company, Martin Chase Productions, which has produced such successful films as The Princess Diaries. In addition Chase is the producing partner in BrownHouse Productions, singer Whitney Houston's production company. Chase has a long-standing interest in politics and the arts. In the 1988 presidential campaign she served on the National and New York finance committees for Michael Dukakis. She was a founding member of the Contemporary Friends of the Studio Museum in Harlem The Studio Museum in Harlem is an American fine arts museum in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, New York. It was founded in 1968 as the first such museum in the U.S. , and was recently elected to the Board of Trustees for Columbia College of Chicago. Career Track: Chase began in Hollywood when she joined the Motion Pictures Legal Department of Columbia Pictures in 1989, eventually becoming the Director of Creative Affairs. She also headed Mundy Lane Entertainment, Denzel Washington's Tri-Star Pictures-based production company, and served as producer for such films as Courage Under Fire and The Preacher's Wife. Big Break: Chase began her career as an attorney working with several major law firms and Fortune 500 companies in Houston This is an incomplete list of major companies headquartered in Houston, Texas and the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area. Houston is known for its oil and gas industry and it should also be noted that only New York City has more Fortune 500 companies. and Manhattan. KEDAR MASSENBURG Title: President and CEO, Motown Records Age: 39 Education: B.A., Central State University; J.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public, coeducational, research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States. Also known as The University of North Carolina, Carolina, North Carolina, or simply UNC Why He's Powerful: Massenburg runs a division of Universal Music Group (UMG UMG Universal Music Group UMG Universidad Mariano Gálvez de Guatemala (Mariano Galvez University of Guatemala) UMG Upgraded Metallurgical Grade (silicon) UMG Unlicensed Medical Graduate ) and is responsible for signing an award-winning state of "neo-classic soul" artists. The roster includes Brian McKnight, India.Arie, Damian Marley, and Erykah Badu, who were among the artists responsible for Motown's 15 Grammy nominations. In recent years, Massenburg has also structured innovative deals such as a partnership with ClickRadio, a free Internet radio service, to launch a station solely dedicated to Motown artists. Career Track: Massenburg gained a reputation as a master of the "set-up," an industry term for generating heat among media, retailers, and fans for a new release. Through a joint venture with UMG, Massenburg founded Kedar Entertainment and helped establish the careers of urban music trailblazers such as Badu and D'Angelo. In 1999, he was tapped by UMG to run Motown, where he reorganized the label to reflect founder Berry Gordy's original model--a small boutique label focused on long-term artist development. Big Break: In the late '80s, he was manager of Stetsasonic, one of hip-hop's pioneering bands. JOHN MCCLAIN Title: Senior Vice President, Dreamworks Records Age: 45 Why He's Powerful: McClain is on the management team of Dreamworks Records, the music arm of the multimedia empire created by Steven Spielberg, Jeffrey Katzenberg, and David Geffen. Soon after joining Dreamworks in 2000, McClain took the Isley Brothers CD, Eternal platinum. He is also responsible for signing Floetry, whose CD Floetic, recently debuted at No. 19 on the Billboard Top 200. McClain is currently working with rapper-producer Swizz Beatz on his new CD, Ghetto Stories. The CD, which will be released in 2003, features Ron Isley, Busta Rhymes, LL Cool J, Mary J. Blige, and Eve. Career Track: At 16 McClain became the musical director for The Sylvers. He credits his early success to learning Berry Gordy's formula for artist development from his high school classmate Jermaine Jackson. Big Break: He took a job as a music executive for A&M records. HENRY MCGEE Title: President, HBO Home Video Age: 49 Education: B.A., Harvard University; M.B.A., Harvard Business School Why He's Powerful: He manages HBO's DVD DVD: see digital versatile disc. DVD in full digital video disc or digital versatile disc Type of optical disc. The DVD represents the second generation of compact-disc (CD) technology. and videocassette A removable magnetic tape module for storing video data. The cassette contains supply and takeup reel (hubs) in the same housing. See VCR. marketing division, which distributes The Sopranos and Sex in the City. In 1995 the company, under McGee's direction, was one of the first in the industry to use the Internet to market its releases. Career Track: McGee began his tenure with HBO in 1979 as manager of film acquisitions. He worked briefly in the company's sister division, Time-Life Television, and served as manager of HBO's family programming department and director of HBO Enterprises. Big Break: Got a job as a reporter for Newsweek magazine. STEVE MCKEEVER Title: CEO, Hidden Beach Recordings Hidden Beach Recording is an American soul record label. Roster
Age: 41 Education: J.D., Harvard Law School Why He's Powerful: McKeever has made his mark in the music industry as one of its great innovators. He's achieved this distinction not only because of his ability to find new talent and an exhilarating sound but also for developing groundbreaking, revenue-generating start-ups. His latest venture, Hidden Beach Recordings, which he envisions as "a creative utopia," brings together an eclectic group of performers, including crooner Brenda Russell; jazz saxophonist Mike Phillips, Darius Rucker of Hootie & The Blowfish A secret key cryptography method that uses a variable length key from 32 to 448 bits long. It uses the block cipher method, which breaks the text into 64-bit blocks before encrypting them. fame; and the dynamic Jill Scott, whose debut CD has gone double platinum. Along with his ability to attract standout artists, McKeever has also structured a strategic alliance with Sony Music Entertainment/Epic Records as its worldwide distributor. Career track: After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1985, McKeever practiced entertainment law. In 1991 he joined Motown as senior vice president of A&R, working for Clarence Avant who was then the chairman of Motown, and who is considered "The Godfather" by many in the music industry. By 1994 McKeever launched Mojazz, a label that represented Motown's first foray into jazz, signing talent such as pianist Eric Reed and guitarist Norman Brown, and re-issuing classics from such notables as The Crusaders, Ahmad Jamal, and Billy Eckstine. DAVE A file sharing program from Thursby Software Systems, Inc., Arlington, TX (www.thursby.com) that allows a Macintosh to share files with a PC. Designed specifically for and needing installation only on the Mac, DAVE works with Microsoft's native SMB/CIFS file sharing protocols and uses MCPHERSON Title: Executive Vice President, Epic Records Age: 35 Education: William Patterson University Why He's Powerful: McPherson manages marketing, publicity, promotion, and A&R for Epic, and oversees a roster of artists that includes Sade, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Jill Scott. Career Track: A young visionary, McPherson ushered in the "boy band" phenomenon when he signed the Backstreet backstreet Noun a street in a town far from the main roads Adjective denoting secret or illegal activities: a backstreet abortion backstreet n Boys in 1994. He was later recruited by Jive Records to help revitalize its A&R department. Appointed director of A&R, McPherson worked with R. Kelly, A Tribe Called Quest A Tribe Called Quest is a critically acclaimed and highly-influential American hip-hop group, formed in 1988. The group is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip (Kamal Fareed), rapper Phife Dawg (Malik Taylor), and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. , and KRS-One among others. Big Break: After interning at Mercury Records, McPherson obtained a permanent position working in the publicity and marketing department and later settled in the A&R department. FRANK MERCADO VALDES Title: Chairman & CEO, The Heritage Networks Age: 40 Education: University of Miami This article is about the university in Coral Gables, Florida. For the university in Oxford, Ohio, see Miami University. The University of Miami (also known as Miami of Florida,[2] UM,[3] or just The U Why He's Powerful: Mercado Valdes has built a television syndication empire. The chairman and CEO of The Heritage Networks, the largest black-owned marketing, sales, and distribution company in broadcast television, presides over a company that ranks No. 90 on the BE INDUSTRIAL/SERVICE 100 list with gross sales of $30.5 million. He developed a bevy of broadcast offerings: a monthly movie package of black-oriented movies; marketing and distributing reruns of Cosby, Moesha, and The Steve Harvey Show, as well as original programming such as 'N Gear, a half hour show devoted to urban fashion; Weekend Vibe, a televised counterpart to Vibe magazine; Source: All Access, a hip-hop showcase developed in partnership with The Source Entertainment; and Livin' Large, a younger, trendier version of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. Heritage currently produces and distributes It's Showtime at The Apollo. Career Track: In 1984 Mercado Valdes created the Miss Collegiate African American Pageant. By 1990 he had become one of the youngest African American executive producers of a national television program when he put his pageant on the air. Big Break: Mercado Valdes, a former Golden Gloves boxing champion, served as the point man for black media during the 1988 Bush/Quayle presidential campaign. PERCY "MASTER P" MILLER Title: CEO, New No Limit Enterprises Age: 32 Why He's Powerful: Miller has developed New No Limit Enterprises into an entertainment fiefdom fief·dom n. 1. The estate or domain of a feudal lord. 2. Something over which one dominant person or group exercises control: generating sales through music, film, television projects, and apparel. Rap music is the crux of his business: Miller's company has sold more than 50 million albums and has amassed 33 multiplatinum, platinum, and gold certifications in the past six years. And the operation has been largely a family affair. His roster includes his brothers, Silkk the Shocker Silkk the Shocker (born Vyshonn King Miller on June 18, 1975) is a rapper originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, and Richmond, California and is the brother of Hip Hop Mogul Master P and rapper C-Murder. He is also the uncle of teen american rapper, Lil Romeo and Young V. and C-Murder, as well as his son, Lil Romeo, and himself. (The two earned the distinction of being the first father and son to go multiplatinum in the hip-hop arena.) To shore up the company, the New Orleans native recently entered into a distribution agreement with Universal Records. Career Track: Miller used $10,000 from a legal settlement to open his No Limit Record Store, the base from which to independently sell 350,000 copies of his first two self-produced albums, 99 Ways To Die and The Ghetto's Tryin' To Kill Me. In 1996 Miller made a distribution and manufacturing agreement with Los Angeles-based Priority Records under which No Limit would receive 85% of the profits and retain 100% ownership of the master recordings, allowing the company to profit from catalogs and reissues. Miller replicated this business model when he started his film division. DARRELL D. MILLER Title: Managing Partner, Miller & Pliakas Age: 39 Education: B.F.A., College Conservatory of Music University of Cincinnati The University of Cincinnati is a coeducational public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio. Ranked as one of America’s top 25 public research universities and in the top 50 of all American research universities,[2] ; J.D., Georgetown University Law Center Also attended
Why He's Powerful: As managing partner of the Los Angeles-based firm, Miller & Pliakas, he practices transactional law with an emphasis on the motion picture, television, and music industries. His diverse group of clients includes individuals such as Master P as well as larger corporations like Time Life Television/Video and de Passe Entertainment. Among Miller's recent efforts has been the negotiation of a package of motion picture deals for rap star DMX with Warner Bros. Pictures. Also, he is the only African American on the board of governors of the Academy of Arts & Sciences, which coordinates the Oscars and Emmys. Career Track: Prior to launching his law firm in 1996, Miller worked with an international law firm representing business executives, entertainment production companies, and performing artists. EDDIE MURPHY Title: President & CEO, Eddie Murphy Productions Age: 41 Education: Nassau College Why He's Powerful: Since starring in his first movie 20 years ago, Murphy's compilation of films has grossed more than a billion dollars, and by any standard, this commercial success makes him one of Hollywood's most bankable bank·a·ble adj. 1. Acceptable to or at a bank: bankable funds. 2. Guaranteed to bring profit: a bankable movie star. black leading stars. With this distinction comes a notoriety and privilege that normally takes the ordinary filmmaker half a lifetime to establish. He may have had unsuccessful films, but he managed to emerge with his directorial debut gangster film Harlem Nights, which helped to launch his production company. Through his company, Murphy has developed and produced a string of projects for both the silver screen and television, including the 1990 TV movie The Kid Who Loved Christmas and the CBS sitcom The Royal Family. His efforts established highly successful film franchises such as The Nutty Professor and Dr. Doolittle. Career Track: At 15, Murphy started his career as a stand-up stand·up or stand-up adj. 1. Standing erect; upright: a standup collar. 2. Taken, done, or used while standing: a standup supper; a standup bar. comedian. Big Break: In 1980 he auditioned for Saturday Night Live This article is about the American television series. For the show related to Big Brother (UK), see Saturday Night Live (UK). Saturday Night Live (SNL and was cast as an occasional performer. However, his performances were such a huge hit that he became a full-time member with memorable characters as Buckwheat buckwheat, common name for certain members of the Polygonaceae, a family of herbs and shrubs found chiefly in north temperate areas and having a characteristic pungent juice containing oxalic acid. Species native to the United States are most common in the West. and Gumby. CHRISTINA NORMAN Title: General Manager, VH1 Age: 38 Education: B.A., Boston University Why She's Powerful: Norman oversees marketing, on-air promotion, finance, creative services, communications, research, human resources, and business development for VH1, one of the most recognizable names in cable television. In addition, she manages VH1.com and VH1's sister channels: VH1 Classic, VH1 Mega Hits, VH1 Soul, VH1 Country, and VH1 Uno. Career Track: Previously Norman worked at MTV MTV in full Music Television U.S. cable television network, established in 1980 to present videos of musicians and singers performing new rock music. MTV won a wide following among rock-music fans worldwide and greatly affected the popular-music business. for 11 years, most recently as senior vice president of marketing and on-air promotion. RICHARD D. PARSONS Title: CEO, AOL Time Warner Inc. Age: 54 Education: University of Hawaii (body, education) University of Hawaii - A University spread over 10 campuses on 4 islands throughout the state. http://hawaii.edu/uhinfo.html. See also Aloha, Aloha Net. ; J.D., Union University's Albany Law School Albany Law School is an ABA accredited law school based in Albany, New York. Founded in 1851 by Robert H. Pruyn and others, Albany Law School is the oldest independent law school in the United States. Why He's Powerful: Parsons oversees all of the company's business and divisions including interactive services, cable systems, publishing, music, networks, and filmed entertainment. Career Track: Before joining Time Warner, Parsons was chairman and CEO of Dime Bancorp, Inc., one of the largest thrift institutions in the United States. Prior to his position at Dime Bancorp, Parsons was managing partner of the New York law firm, Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler. Prior to that, he held various positions in state and federal service, as a counsel for Nelson Rockefeller, and as a senior White House aide under President Gerald Ford. Parsons serves on several boards in a pro bono capacity: Citigroup, Estee Lauder, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Lincoln Center, the Museum of Modern Art, and Howard University. Big Break: In 2001, Parsons was appointed as co-Chairman of the President's Commission to Strengthen Social Security The President's Commission To Strengthen Social Security was a Presidential Commission formed by United States President George W. Bush on May 2, 2001, through the Executive Order 13210.[1] References 1. . He also serves as chairman of the Apollo Theater Foundation. ROSE CATHERINE PINKNEY Title: Senior Vice President, Comedy Development, Paramount Network Television Education: B.S., Princeton; M.B.A., The Anderson School at UCLA Why She's Powerful: Pinkney oversees the development of all comedy series for Paramount Network Television. Considered one of the top executives in television, Pinkney has gained respect and influence in the industry through her business savvy, creative instincts, and powerful contracts. Career Track: Pinkney started out earning a stellar reputation as director of programming at Twentieth Century Fox Television. There she worked on cutting-edge programs such as South Central and In Living Color In Living Color is a ground-breaking sketch comedy television series which ran on the FOX Network from April 15, 1990 to May 19, 1994. Executive producer Keenen Ivory Wayans created, wrote, and starred in the program. , the latter of which launched the careers of stars Jim Carrey and the Wayans brothers. BIG JON PLATT Title: Senior Vice President for Creative, EMI Music Publishing, Senior VP, A & R, Virgin Records Age: 37 Why He's Powerful: At EMI, Platt's responsibilities include signing and developing songwriters, acquiring songwriters for albums currently in production, and connecting producers with artists signed to EMI The musicians may have been signed under one of EMI's subsidiary labels. The subsidiary is noted next to the artist if this is the case. Popular Pre-1960
Career Track: Prior to joining EMI he managed music producers and got his start in the music industry by working for nine years as a club disc jockey in his hometown of Denver, Colorado. Platt works to constantly give back to his hometown community of Montbello, an area of Denver. Big Break: As one of the top club DJs in Denver, Platt developed relationships with hip-hop artists who came to town on tour. He cites a conversation with Chuck D of Public Enemy as a key point in his pursuit of a career in the music business: "`Big Jon every time I come to Denver, you're the man here. But unless you dream bigger, all you'll ever be is just the man here in Denver.' In a nutshell he told me I was very talented and I could offer a lot to the music business. That day the dream began," Platt says. ANTONIO "L.A." REID Title: President and CEO, Arista Records Age: 46 Why He's Powerful: Reid oversees the day-to-day business operations of Arista, a subsidiary of BMG BMG Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (Germand: Federal Ministry for Health) BMG Be My Girl BMG Blue Man Group BMG Bertelsmann Music Group BMG Be My Guest BMG Browning Machine Gun BMG Bulk Metallic Glass Music. He is responsible for the development of a multiplatinum roster of performers, including Outkast, Usher, Pink, and Santana. Last year, he re-signed Whitney Houston to a $100 million contract. Career Track: With an extensive background as a musician, producer, artist developer, and label executive, Reid teamed up with Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds (both were members of the '80s band The Deele) and established himself as a chart-busting songwriter and producer. In 1989 Reid and Edmonds launched LaFace Records, which produced hits for megastars Bobby Brown, TLC TLC total lung capacity; thin-layer chromatography. TLC abbr. 1. thin-layer chromatography 2. , and Toni Braxton. In 2000 Reid was tapped by BMG to head Arista, replacing the legendary Clive Davis. When he was appointed, Reid received intensive M.B.A. training in a 12-week advanced management program at Harvard Business School. SYLVIA RHONE Title: Chairman/CEO, Elektra Entertainment Group Age: 50 Education: B.S., Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania (body, education) University of Pennsylvania - The home of ENIAC and Machiavelli. http://upenn.edu/. Address: Philadelphia, PA, USA. Why She's Powerful: Rhone oversees the operations of the Elektra Entertainment Group, which is the premier record label of the Warner Music Group Warner Music Group (WMG) is one of the four major record labels. Warner Music Group also has a publishing arm, Warner/Chappell Music, which dates back to 1929, when Jack Warner, president of Warner Bros. Pictures Inc. . Career Track: Rhone's career in the music industry has spanned some 28 years. Prior to her tenure as chairman/CEO, she served as Elektra's Northeast regional promotion manager of Special Markets as well as director of National Black Music Marketing. She has been vice president/general manager of Atlantic's black music operation; senior vice president of Atlantic Records; and served as CEO of EastWest Records America, which under her direction became a part of the Elektra Entertainment Group. Big Break: Rhone's big break came in 1986 when she was selected to head Atlantic Records' black music division. NINA SHAW Title: Founding Partner, Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka & Finkelstein Age: 48 Education: Barnard College; J.D., Columbia Law School Columbia Law School, located in the New York City borough of Manhattan, is one of the professional schools of Columbia University, a member of the Ivy League, and one of the leading law schools in the United States. Why She's powerful: Entertainment superlawyer Nina Shaw once told BE, "You are only as important as your client list. If there is no demand for the people you represent then you have no influence at all." Consider Shaw a power generator. The Columbia Law School graduate's client list is a virtual who's who of superstars: Actors Laurence Fishburne, Michael Clarke Duncan, and James Earl Jones; comedians Cedric The Entertainer Cedric the Entertainer (born Cedric Antonio Kyles on April 24, 1964) is an American actor and comedian. Biography Personal life n 1992, he made his first TV appearance on It's Showtime at the Apollo. and Jamie Foxx; and directors F. Gary Gray (Set It Off, The Negotiator) and Kasi Lemmons (Eve's Bayou, The Caveman's Valentine) are all represented by Shaw's firm. The firm also represents behind-the-scenes movers and shakers from TV series such as The Parkers, One on One, and Half and Half, and films such as Love And Basketball and Brown Sugar. RUSSELL SIMONS Title: Chairman and CEO, Rush Communications Age: 45 Education: City College of New York “City College” redirects here. For other uses, see City College (disambiguation). CCNY was the first free public institution of higher education in the United States[3] Why He's Powerful: Simmons oversees all ventures of the company including those in music, television, fashion, film, talent management, publishing (One World magazine), and marketing/advertising. Career Track: In 1984, Simmons cofounded Def Jam Recordings Def Jam Recordings is an United States based hip-hop record label, owned by Universal Music Group, and operates as a part of The Island Def Jam Music Group. Company history Beginnings Def Jam was founded by Rick Rubin in his dorm room at New York University. . Def Jam's roster began with LL Cool J, the Beastie Boys, Slick Rick, and Public Enemy. Simmons also acted as associate producer for the film Krush Groove. He was also involved in several other films and began producing Def Comedy Jam Def Comedy Jam is a HBO television series produced by hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons. The series had its original run from July 1, 1992 to January 1, 1997. The show has returned on HBO's fall lineup in 2006. for HBO in 1991. He also founded the Phat Farm clothing brand, which has branched out into Baby Phat for ladies and Phat Farm boys and Baby Phat Girls. Big Break: While still at the City College of New York, Simmons saw his first rap show in 1977 and soon began promoting his own shows, managing artists, and producing records. In the early '80s, the roster of his Rush Artist Management included hit-makers such as: Whodini, Kurtis Blow, and Run-DMC. WESLEY SNIPES Title: CEO, Amen Ra Films Age: 40 Education: B.A., State University of New York at Purchase This article or section has multiple issues: * It may contain original research or unverifiable claims. * It does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by citing reliable sources. Wily He's Powerful: Hollywood still bets on Snipes. In fact, his Amen Ra Films has been one of Hollywood's most prolific production companies. With a cumulative domestic gross box office of close to $1 billion over the past decade, Snipes is able to get the attention of studio execs. In recent years he has developed a wide range of projects from romantic dramas to action adventure films. What has given Snipes the most clout of late is his Blade films. Amen Ra purchased the rights to the comic book property and developed two films that have collectively grossed more than $250 million worldwide. Career Track: The Orlando, Florida, native's star began to rise in 1991 when he played a volatile gangster in New Jack City. Studio execs took notice that the film, budgeted at $8.5 million, grossed $47.6 million. His next two films, Passenger 57 and White Men Can't Jump  This article or section needs copy editing for grammar, style, cohesion, tone and/or spelling.You can assist by [ editing it] now. , would also prove to be box office hits. Snipes created Amen Ra to develop new feature film and television vehicles. DENZEL WASHINGTON Title: CEO, Mundy Lane Entertainment Age: 48 Education: B.A. Fordham University; American Conservatory Theater American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) is a theater company in San Francisco, California, that offers both contemporary and classical theater productions and a wide range of classes. . Why He's Powerful: Washington has been featured in a diverse collection of films over his illustrious acting career. He is one of the highest paid and most powerful actors in Hollywood, and is reportedly receiving $20 million for his upcoming film Out Of Time. Washington also owns his own production company, which produced Devil in a Blue Dress Devil in a Blue Dress is a 1990 hardboiled mystery novel by Walter Mosley, the first of his mystery novels featuring Easy Rawlins, a black private detective in post-World War II Southern California. and a slate of other television and motion picture projects. His clout has increased with a recent string of movies that have grossed more than $100 million each at the box office. Career Track: Since his Academy Award nominated portrayal of Steve Biko in Cry Freedom in 1987, Washington has established himself as one of Hollywood's leading men. With two Oscars and several Golden Globe awards under his belt, he has also made a name, for himself as a major producer. He made his directorial debut with The Antwone Fisher Story, which opened at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival. Big Break: Played Dr. Phillip Chandler on the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere (1982-88). DAMON WAYANS Title: Principal, Wayans Bros. Productions Age: 42 Why He's Powerful: Wayans continues to demonstrate his power to get his projects into production and on the air. He cocreated, executive produces, and stars in the ABC television sitcom My Wife and Kids, one of the networks highest-rated programs. Through his first production company, Wife 'N Kids Productions, he created such successful big screen vehicles as Mo Money and Major Payne, as well as the Fox Television series Damon. He and his brothers are looking at other major projects to create more profitable franchises. Career Track: Wayans co-starred in and wrote for the critically acclaimed, Emmy-Award-winning series In Living Color. He began his career n 1982. touring the comedy club circuit. Big Break: After graduating from the ensemble comedy shows In Living Color (where he created characters such as Homey the Clown) and Saturday Night Live, Wayans launched a successful film career. KEENAN IVORY WAYANS Title: Principal, Wayans Bros. Productions Age: 44 Education: Tuskegee University Why He's Powerful: After directing the surprise box office hit Scary Movie, the highest grossing film ever directed by an African American, Wayans followed his success by directing Scary Movie 2 and Scary Movie 3. Such projects have established Wayans as a shrewd businessman and a hot property in Hollywood, and expanded the clout of Wayans Bros. Productions. Career Track: Wayans created, directed, and won an Emmy for his TV comedy skit show In Living Color. Wayans also developed Low Down Dirty Shame, Most Wanted, and I'm Gonna Git You Sucka. RONALD RONALD Rocketborne Optical Neutral gas Analyzer with Laser Diodes "SLIM" & BRYAN "BABY" WILLIAMS Title: Co-CEOs, Cash Money Records Why They're Powerful: Ronald "Slim" and Bryan "Baby" Williams have been able to do what few entrepreneurs in the music industry have achieved: the ability to call their own shots. When their record label, Cash Money Records (CMR CMR Crude mortality rate, see there ), inked a lucrative distribution deal with Universal Records, the brothers' bargaining power came from the fact that their independent hip-hop label had already sold more than 20 million records since it was formed in 1991. They've also managed to amass one of the tightest crews of rappers in the industry and generate additional revenues through straight-to-video movies featuring their rap star line-up. CMR is credited with originating the term "bling bling." Career Track: Hailing from New Orleans, the Williams brothers converted their hobby of making music into a full-fledged business. By 1992 the year-old enterprise released Sixth and Barrone and Uptown for Life, which collectively sold more than 60,000 units throughout the South. The company became a national phenomenon when it added hot rappers B.G., Juvenile, and the Hot Boys to their roster. In 1998 they struck the deal with Universal. OPRAH WINFREY Title: Chairman, Harpo Inc. Age: 48 Education: Tennessee State University Tennessee State University, at Nashville; coeducational; land-grant and state supported; est. 1912 as Tennessee Agriculture & Industrial State Normal School for Negroes; attained university status 1979. Why She's Powerful: As host and supervising producer of The Oprah Winfrey Show, Winfrey's influence is felt far beyond the world of television. She has established herself as one of the most important figures in publishing, music, film, philanthropy, education, health and fitness, and social awareness. Career Track: Winfrey began her broadcasting career at WVOL radio in Nashville while still in high school. At 19, she became the youngest person and the first African American woman to anchor the news at Nashville's WTVF-TV. Winfrey then worked for a television station in Baltimore before moving to Chicago to host AM Chicago in 1984, which was later renamed The Oprah Winfrey Show. Interesting Fact: Since The Oprah Winfrey Show entered national syndication in 1986, it has remained the No. 1 talk show for the past 16 seasons. ANDRE "DR. DRE DRE Digital rectal examination. Mentioned in: Rectal Examination " YOUNG Title: CEO, Aftermath Records Age: 37 Why He's Powerful: For close to two decades, Dr. Dre has been a dominant force in the rap music industry. And since 1996, his label, Aftermath Records, has become a hit factory. The strongest performer on his roster has been white rapper Eminem. Career Track: Dre made his entree as a pioneer of gangsta rap. In 1987, he joined N.W.A., the audacious rap group that introduced the world to Ice Cube, M.C. Ren, and the late Eazy-E. He left the group in 1992 to form Death Row Records with Suge Knight and over the next four years, produced chart buster albums like The Chronic and Snoop Doggy Dogg's Doggystyle. As a producer, he developed a style of music that became known as "G-Funk." Dre left Death Row and formed Aftermath Records through a distribution agreement with Interscope. First Gig: He performed with World Class Wreckin' Cru The World Class Wreckin' Cru was a 1980s electro-hop group from Compton, California formed by the Eve After Dark nightclub owner and established DJ Alonzo Williams. Other members of the fluctuating line-up included DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, Shakespeare, Cli-N-Tel, and Mona Lisa Young. Dr. . |
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