Music Industry Moguls: Power Players

These tycoons continuously demonstrate that there is no limit to the success that is possible when driven by ambition, vision, and a tireless dedication to excellence.

The Cover
Clive Davis

With Clive Davis on the cover of this issue of Haute Living New York, it is quite apropos that he would lead our list of the top impresarios in the music industry. On April 4, 2010, he turned 78 years old but certainly has not shown any signs of slowing down. In fact, his age only works in his favor, as the list of artists’ careers that he has lent his Midas touch to only grows longer (see “The Lasting Power of Clive Davis” on page 82).

With another Grammy Awards show under his belt, Davis can proudly claim that the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences has officially recognized his annual pre-Grammy bash. What that means is that even though in our minds we will always think of it as Clive Davis’ Grammy party, the official name on the record books will now be “Salute to Industry Icons.” This year’s event proved to be another smashing success, despite the number of other events taking place at the same time. Performances from Harry Connick Jr., the Black Eyed Peas, Jennifer Hudson, and Carrie Underwood entertained the crowd of A-listers, which included everyone from Jay-Z to Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Of course, it was a gathering of the who’s who in the world of entertainment because when Clive summons, there is nothing else to do but gratefully and graciously accept your place within his elite circle of power players.

The Godfather
Quincy Jones

Like anyone who has achieved unheard of levels of success, Quincy Jones wears many hats and could never be pigeonholed into just one role. Over the course of his storied career, he has played the role of record producer, film composer, television producer, and even that of trumpeter with Dizzy Gillespie’s band and conductor with Frank Sinatra. Not impressed with those titles? Well, numbers never lie and it would be hard to not be overwhelmed with a sense of awe at the fact that Jones is a Grammy darling, earning 79 nominations, 27 awards, and one of the highest tributes—a Grammy Legend Award in 1991—meaning that he is the most-nominated artist in the history of the awards. Michael Jackson’s album Thriller, which Jones produced, has been certified by the Recording Industry Association of America as the best-selling album of all time. Jones also produced the 1985 song that stirred American audiences to help end the plight of world poverty, “We are the World,” the best-selling single of all time.

But all of that is old news. Proving that he is never one to call it quits and rest on his laurels, Jones’ latest project is an all-artist collaboration.

In early March, Quincy Jones Productions revealed some updated details about the newest album in the works, Q: Soul Bossa Nostra. As executive producer of the album, Jones explained that the project is a collection of some of his favorite performers and producers of today recreating some of his favorite songs. Headlining names who have been listed as collaborators include Snoop Dogg, Usher, Wyclef Jean, Jamie Foxx, Mary J. Blige, LL Cool J, John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, BeBe Winans, Jermaine Dupri, Robin Thicke, Ludacris, Akon, and a host of other notables. Look for this guaranteed chart-topper to hit the retail racks May or June.

[highlight_text] Many of the greatest minds to inhabit and shape our world admit to possessing an inherent belief from an early age that greatness lie ahead, despite the dismal circumstances of their youth. [/highlight_text]

The Graduate
Swizz Beatz

Not familiar with the beats of this DJ and record producer? Well then let’s first brush up on some hip-hop music history. His uncles founded the Ruff Ryders music label back in 1988; years later, when the young MC was a mere 16 years old, they asked him to lend his talents to help produce rap star DMX’s single “Stop, Drop,” a track that went on to become the first hit for the label. Still mean nothing to you? Then let’s move on to the next one. In 2001, at 23 years old, he got a full taste of executive life when he became the president and CEO of Full Service Records, a project that had the backing of Clive Davis. He spent the ensuing years working and hanging out with some of music’s greatest legends, including Whitney Houston, Gwen Stefani, Beyoncé, Bono, and Alicia Keys. In 2009, he teamed up with Sean “Jay-Z” Carter for the smash hit “On to the Next One,” a pop culture favorite that some here at Haute Living have dubbed our 2010 battle cry for expansion. If tunes are not your forte, perhaps it would interest you to know that he is also a force in the fashion world and counts Christian Louboutin as a close personal friend. Some of our favorite stylistas can’t even make that claim. You can read more about this creative genius in Meredith Mulligan’s One-on-One interview in this issue on page 42. It’s one to pay attention to, considering that the artist has vowed to step out of the shadows, build a brand based on his given name of Kasseem Dean, and declare 2010 his year. Keep an eye, and an ear, out for this one.

The Founder
Russell Simmons

It’s hard to keep up with all that goes on in the world of Russell Simmons. In fact, there is little doubt that from the time that this article was written until it goes to print and is in your hands, Simmons will have launched any number of new initiatives, philanthropic foundations, or made headlines once again for making a difference.

Who could have guessed that founding an avant-garde, left-of-center record company back in the early 80s would lead Simmons down the path to becoming one of the founding fathers of modern-day America. Even if Simmons had an inkling of the positive impact that he would have on our zeitgeist, could he have foreseen such national recognition as being named as one of the “Top 25 Most Influential People of the Past 25 Years” by USA Today?

When he first took on the managing of hip-hop artists like Run DMC (of which his brother was a member) and the Beastie Boys, he became known in underground urban circles as an epic force. However, when he went on to sign the likes of Jay-Z, Foxy Brown, and Ludacris, in addition to founding Def Jam Recordings with partner Rick Rubin back in 1984, ready or not, he exploded onto the mainstream American scene. But even as a household name throughout the 80s, there was still only a small indication of all that was to come from Simmons. Not only did he go on to define himself as one of the most brilliant businessmen and brand builders of the 90s and 2000s, but he made no apologies for demanding excellence from every American, whether a member of the hip-hop youth culture or a top political world leader. His call to a higher consciousness has since continued full steam ahead, and if anything, this 52-year-old mogul has become more energized with the wisdom of age.

Not impressed with his calls to action or his Hallmark-y vision for a better world? For you entrepreneurs out there, consider this: Simmons’ reach has extended into the industries of music, fashion, finance, television, film, arts, and philanthropy. Just a few of the empires that have benefitted from the golden touch of the master include Phat Farm, Baby Phat, Run Athletics, Argyle Culture, American Classics, Simmons Jewelry Co., Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation, Rush Communications, Def Jam Enterprises, Simmons Lathan Media Group, and the personalized Internet portal for the hip-hop community, GlobalGrind.com. Oh yeah, and he’s a New York Times best-selling author, penning Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success, as well as a former Haute Living cover subject. Visit /archives to read our full profile of the inspiring entrepreneur.

The Entrepreneur
Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter

Many of the greatest minds to inhabit and shape our world admit to possessing an inherent belief from an early age that greatness lie ahead, despite the dismal circumstances of their youth. Albert Einstein knew it. Oprah Winfrey knew it. President Barack Obama knew it. And there is absolutely no doubting the fact that Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter never questioned it. In fact, in his video for  “On to the Next One,” produced with Swizz Beatz, a frame flashes with the lyrics from the song where the hip-hop star claims, “Always knew it’d be like this,” referring to his insatiable ambition and the success that he has created for himself throughout his lifetime.

So when he “always knew it’d be like this,” did he envision himself with a Forbes-estimated net worth of more than $500 million in 2009, the year of the Great Recession? Jay-Z earned a reputation early on as a controversial figure in the world of hip-hop. When he started his career in the 90s, no major label would sign him, so in a move that was meant to gesture the finger to the establishment, he started his own label with buds Damon Dash and Kareem “Biggs” Burke. He then went on to distribute a second album with Russell Simmons’ Def Jam Records and later produce with Sean “Diddy” Combs. Throughout the remaining years of the 90s through to today, Jay-Z has reinvented himself with each new album, “building on progression” and refusing to rest on his previous successes.

But it is not just his lyrical genius and creativity behind the soundboard that earns this mogul a top spot on our list. Carter’s business acumen could rival that of any white-collar executive. In fact, he has been playing the role of executive for quite some time, serving as president of Def Jam Records for three years before he stepped down to sign a 50-50 deal with Live Nation to help fund his new label Roc Nation. In addition to the label, he also co-created the apparel company Rocawear with Dash; in 2007 he sold the rights for $204 million, yet still managed to retain a stake in the brand, along with marketing, licensing, and product development duties. Beyond that, he is an investor in the NBA’s New Jersey Nets and took part in a groundbreaking ceremony in early March at the Barclays Center at Atlantic Yards alongside New York Governor Paterson and NYC Mayor Bloomberg. As the New York Times once declared, “[Jay-Z] is an all-American tale of entrepreneurship.”

The Revolutionary
Sean “Diddy” Combs

If Shawn Carter believes in reinventing himself with each new album, then certainly it could be said that Sean Combs reinvents himself with each knew moniker. Combs started in the music industry following a rather traditional route, considering his penchant for bucking the status quo. While attending Howard University, he commuted to NYC to work as an intern at Uptown Records. Throughout the late 80s and early 90s, he established a name for himself with industry insiders but had yet to burst onto the scene and become a household name. That all changed in 1993 when, after being fired from his executive position at Uptown, he gave birth to Bad Boy Records. After four years of a nasty East Coast vs. West Coast hip-hop war that resulted in the death of two icons, The Notorious B.I.G and Tupak Shakur, mainstream America was formally introduced to the first incarnation of “Puff Daddy.” In 1997, he released his first vocal track, which shot up to No. 1 on the Billboard music charts. His debut album, No Way Out also spent time at No. 1, in addition to claiming a 1998 Grammy award. More controversy ensued for who we all started calling “Puffy,” so in a Mary J. Blige-type of “no more drama” move, Sean Combs took on another name change, perhaps in an effort to shed his skin and start anew. In 2001, the world was reintroduced to the music mogul, this time dubbed “P. Diddy.”

Despite living up to the name of his original record company and portraying a “bad boy” image to keep up his street cred early on, Combs has undeniably and actively pursued a path of positive action. In 2003, he raised $2 million for the New York school system during his quest to complete the New York City marathon—a goal he accomplished in four hours and 14 minutes. He followed that up the next year by spearheading the “Vote or Die” campaign for the 2004 presidential election. And seeking the spotlight once again, in 2005 he dropped the “P” to be known as just plain “Diddy,” perhaps a move that helped earn him a spot on Time magazine’s list of “100 Most Influential People of 2005.”

Of course, if anyone were about turning their name and persona into a brand, it would certainly be this tune titan. He launched his Sean John fashion line back in 1998, and not just as a PR gimmick. His line is so widely acclaimed that the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the definitive voice on fashion, named Sean Jean Menswear Designer of the Year in 2004. With the latest launch of his cologne, I Am King, along with a 50-percent share in the French vodka Ciroc, Combs’ net worth has been estimated at upwards of $500 million. But these various ventures don’t prevent him from focusing on the music. His new album, Last Train to Paris, is set to drop on June 22, and the first single, “Hello Good Morning” featuring T.I. and Dirty Money, debuted on American Idol in late March and is already climbing the charts.

The Executive
L.A. Reid

He has been called one of the most powerful men in the music industry, and when the others on this list include Clive Davis, Quincy Jones, and Russell Simmons, that carries some weight.

L.A. Reid’s career has been well documented in a plethora of print and online publications throughout the decades. A quick refresher for you: he founded LaFace records with pal Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, which merged with Arista Records at the start of the century, a company of which Reid became president and CEO. The songwriter, record producer, music executive, and Grammy winner has been linked with some of the greatest successes in pop music, including Mariah Carey, Outkast, Toni Braxton, TLC, Usher, Ciara, Kanye West, and Bon Jovi.

But it was not Reid’s destiny to see out his career at Arista; in 2004, he took over at Island Def Jam Music Group as the chairman and CEO. The latest breaking news from the music impresario is that he signed Jennifer Lopez, a move that is sure to quiet the rumors and the haters about his impending departure from his music corp.

In addition to his skills with song, Reid is also an avid wine collector, with a reported 2,000-bottle cellar taking up space at his estate on Long Island.