MICHAEL CLARKE / VP, Swisha House; owner, M&M Music – Indie Exec Panel (Houston, TX) Michael Clarke embarked on a career in the music industry before landing a coveted executive position at Swisha House Records. A proprietor of the family owned and operated M&M Music, Clarke assumed full responsibilities of manning and operating the award winning record store in 1996. Since joining the Swisha House family officially in 2003, Clarke has risen in ranks from a consultant to Vice President. Clarke expertly outlines the marketing and promotional procedures for all artists on the Swisha House roster simultaneously working in conjunction with the record company partner’s various departments to provide artists with optimal success. MIKE RIOS / Mixunit.com (Hartford, CT) MISS INFO / Journalist, Personality – Hot 97 – Women In The Industry Panel (New York, NY) Whether on radio, television, or print, Miss Info brings the same opinionated blend of wit, news, and gossip that’s become her trademark. Born to Korean immigrants in Chicago, Miss Info moved to New York to join the staff at the Source Magazine. She has since written and edited for magazines such as Vibe, XXL, King, Mass Appeal, Rolling Stone, Glamour as well as MTV News and various shows on VH1. Recently, Miss Info joined New York City’s Hot 97 family, wrote a book, and still has time to pen a monthly Vibe column and give writing workshops.
During Def Jam’s transition, Shakir helped maintain the label’s reputation for breaking rap acts by signing bubbling talent like Young Jeezy and Rick Ross and helping their careers break on a national level. SHAWN HOLIDAY / Senior VP of A&R, Universal Records – A&R Panel (Los Angeles, CA) SUPA CINDY / Personality, WEDR-Miami – Women In The Industry Panel (Miami, FL) For the past 6 1/2 years Supa Cindy has kept the #1 spot in the Arbitron ratings. First with her partner Big Lip Bandit in the evenings and now for the last 2 years as part of the “Big Lip Bandit in the A.M.” Mornings Show. Along with holding the title as the most popular female radio personality in South Florida, Supa Cindy also has the responsibility of running her own non profit organization called “Supa Friends” whose main goal is to motivate and inspire young women. Supa Cindy plans to use her bilingual skills (thanks to her Haitian and Dominican parents) to broaden her resume with a new television venture. TED LUCAS / CEO, Slip-N-Slide Records – Indie CEO Panel (Miami, FL) THE RUNNERS – Production Panel (Orlando, FL) They got their big break with Rick Ross’ “Hustlin’” and DJ Khaled’s “Born & Raised,” and are now working with everyone from Lil Wayne to UGK.
MR. COLLIPARK – Producer Panel (Atlanta, GA) Also known as DJ Smurf, Collipark crafted the sound and progress of the Ying Yang Twins career and now is working with several new acts including P Stones and Homebwoi. He produced the infamous “whisper song” for the Ying Yang Twins as well as David Banner’s “Play,” Bubba Sparxxx’ “Ms. New Booty,” Bun B’s “Git It,” Pitbull’s “Shake,” and dozens of other Ying Yang Twins hits.
TIFFANY CHILES / CEO, Don Diva Magazine – Media Panel (New York, NY) TONY NEAL / CEO, The CORE DJs – DJ Crew Panel (Milwaukee, WI) After a rather vocal departure from the Tech.Nitions, Tony pushed forward to create his own DJ crew The CORE and has assembled an all-star cast of DJs and industry movers & shakers from across the country that moves as one unit. A former boxer, Tony’s take-charge attitude has enabled him to build a strong, valuable army of DJs.
N. ALI EARLY / Editor at Large, Grip Magazine – Media Panel (Atlanta, GA) A proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University, N. Ali Early began humbly with UrbanStyle Weekly serving as Music Editor for 2 years. Since then Early has set the world on fire with credits in XXL, The Source, Vibe, and more while still having time to launch his media umbrella, www.KreativeSouls. com. Now as Editor-At-Large for Grip Magazine, Early is optimistic knowing that “the sky’s the limit as to what we can accomplish – and we want it all.”
UNCLE LUKE / CEO, Luke Records – Indie Exec Panel (Miami, FL) A veteran in the game both as an artist and a businessman, Luke can provide valuable information of what to do – and what not to do – when running your own record label. VINCE PHILLIPS / Co-CEO, BME – Indie Exec Panel (Atlanta, GA) In addition to his work as an entertainment attorney for some of the biggest names in Atlanta music, Vince owns BME along with Lil Jon, Rob Mac, and Emperor Searcy. The upstart label which launched Lil Jon’s career now boasts a promising roster that includes Lil Scrappy, Trillville, E-40, Chyna Whyte, Bohagon, B.H.I., and more.
NITTI – Producer Panel (Atlanta, GA) “This is a Nitti beat,” c’mon, you had to have heard that at least a million times by now on the intro to Yung Joc’s “It’s Goin’ Down.” Nitti has also crafted beats for 8Ball, Young Jeezy, Rasheeda, and a crop of talented upcoming Atlanta artists. RAHMAN DUKES / MTV News - Media Panel (New York, NY)
WENDY DAY / Founder, Rap Coalition - Women In The Industry Panel (Atlanta, GA) In chess, the Queen is the most powerful piece on the board. Likewise, Wendy Day runs the boardroom as if she wields the power, continuously crafting deals for the likes of Cash Money, No Limit, Eminem, and David Banner. Founder of the Rap Coalition, she is an advocate for artist rights and believes firmly in the adage “knowledge is power.”
ROSLYNN COBARRUBIAS / NARIP, MySpace.com – Technology Panel Roslynn Cobarrubias started “Third Floor Radio” in college in 1998 where she acted as host, producer and DJ. In July of 2004, she came to MySpace. While holding the position of Director of Marketing for the National Association of Record Industry Professionals (NARIP), Cobarrubias met Chris De Wolfe (CEO of MySpace.com) via her former boss, president of the network, Tess Taylor. The web community had just begun MySpace Music and only had 3.5 million users compared to the 90 million + that it has to date. Friends know her as a work-aholic that calls herself the “traveling janitor.” She prides herself most in the ability to help others and has a strong belief in coincidences after reading the Celestine Prophecy numerous times. SHAKIR STEWART / Senior VP of A&R, Island Def Jam – A&R Panel (Atlanta, GA)
WENDY WASHINGTON / Senior VP of Media Relations, Universal Records – Women In The Industry Panel (New York, NY) Once a law school student, Wendy now runs Universal’s media relations/publicity department. During her first years in the music industry, she helped Bad Boy launch Biggie’s career. Since then, she’s been responsible for securing press coverage for everyone from A Tribe Called Quest to Nelly to Juvenile. WES PHILLIPS / Select-O-Hits (Memphis, TN)
ozone 12 awards