Michael Thomas Mauldin (born October 30, 1953) is an American media proprietor, talent manager and record executive. He is former President of Columbia Records' Black Music Division and former Senior Vice President of Columbia Records Group, and is the father of So So Def Recordings label founder Jermaine Dupri. He founded Mauldin Brand AC/VC in 2019, and launched the Black American Music Association in 2018, a 501(c)(6) trade association for which he also serves as chairman.[1] He is also the Managing Director for 2475 AtVille Entertainment, the owner of Air Control Music publishing, and the founder of Scream Nation,[2] a concert tour launched in 2013 as a joint venture with Live Nation, which is known for its "Scream Tour."[3]
Michael Mauldin | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 30, 1953 Murphy, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1976–present |
| Labels | |
| Title | Former President of Black Music/Senior VP at Columbia Records |
| Children | 4, including Jermaine |
| Website | screamtour mauldinbrand |
In 1993, Mauldin helped Jermaine Dupri (his then 19-year-old son) establish the label and was instrumental in helping Dupri and its artists achieve worldwide success.[4] Mauldin served as executive producer for albums including JE Heartbreak II by Jagged Edge, Timeless, Uncovered/Covered, and Things That Lovers Do by Kenny Lattimore & Chante' Moore, Comin' from Where I'm From: Live & More by Anthony Hamilton, Beware of Dog (album), Doggy Bag, and Heartthrobs Live by Bow Wow, Jump/Lil Boys in Da Hood by Kris Kross, Off the Hook by Xscape, 12 Soulful Nights of Christmas, and Like Mike (soundtrack). In 2020, he served as an executive producer for Amplified; a digital entertainment show addressing the state of Black American Music; its foundation, preservation and innovation. And maneges two-time Grammy Award winner Arrested Development. Which means managing SPEECH and HEADLINER and working with Aerle Taree of the group. Arrested Development tv show with Ron Howard name is owned by his client SPEECH and his cousin Aerle Taree wrote PoeTaree The Jurisprudence of Life via Universal Music Publishing Group. Through Universal Music Publishing Group Aerle Taree published the tracks for Doja Cat planet her album while SPEECH created it as Eshe was the choreographer. [5]
Early life
editBorn and raised in Murphy, North Carolina, Mauldin later left Murphy for Atlanta, Georgia at the age of 20.
Career
editBeginning in 1976, Mauldin was a roadie for the disco, jazz, funk band "Brick". He later helmed a successful tour production & management business, with acts & clients including Cameo, The S.O.S. Band, Sister Sledge, The Reddings, Earth, Wind & Fire, Anita Baker, The original "New York City Fresh Fest", Luther Vandross.[3][6][7] and more.
As President of Columbia Records, Mauldin directed the early careers of "Destiny's Child" (adding "Child" to be used in their stage name) and "Alicia Keys" (adding "Keys" to Alicia's stage name). Mauldin oversaw numerous multi-platinum releases from artists including Maxwell, Fugees, Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean, Nas, Men In Black soundtrack, Love Jones soundtrack and more.[6]
References
edit- ^ "Legendary Music Executives Announce the Black American Music Association (BAM) and Its Initiatives to Protect, Preserve and Advocate for Black American Music" (Press release).
- ^ "Michael Mauldin shares insight on the changing landscape of the music industry". June 12, 2015.
- ^ a b "The HistoryMakers: Michael Mauldin". The HistoryMakers.
- ^ "Michael Mauldin". The Huffington Post.
- ^ "Revealed: Billboard's 2020 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players — in a Year of Activism". Billboard.
- ^ a b Copeland, Larry (January 12, 2005). "On a 'supervan' ride to hip-hop success". USA Today.
- ^ "The ASCAP Golden Note Award Jermaine Dupri ASCAP Pop Awards 2005". American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers. 2005.