Chris Taylor (businessman)

Last updated
Chris Taylor
Chris Taylor - Plaques.jpg
Born
Christopher Normand Taylor
Occupations
  • Attorney
  • record executive
Years active1980–present
Label Last Gang Records

Christopher Normand Taylor is a Canadian entertainment lawyer and record executive.

Contents

In 2004, Taylor co-founded Last Gang Records with concert promoter Donald K. Tarlton. The label was acquired by Entertainment One in 2016, with Taylor becoming the president of eOne's music operations. As of 2023, he remains the president and CEO of eOne Music, which was renamed MNRK Music Group in 2021. [1]

Career

After graduating from law school, Taylor founded the rock/reggae group One in 1990. The band toured North America, playing over a thousand shows, released four albums, and was nominated for a Juno Award. [2] In 1994, the band signed with Virgin Records and released their fourth album, Smokin' The Goats, which included two Canadian Top 40 singles, "Wide Load" [3] [4] and "54–46"[ citation needed ].

In 1997, he began practising law with the law firm of Sanderson Taylor [5] representing Canadian artists Nelly Furtado, Avril Lavigne, and Tom Cochrane, among others.

In 1998, via his former manager, Chris Smith, Taylor discovered Nelly Furtado and assisted with introducing her talents to record companies in the United States. [2] Shortly following Furtado's rise, Taylor played a role in introducing Sum 41 to the music industry. More recently, he had been working for rap artist Drake. [6]

In 2003, he founded entertainment company Last Gang Entertainment with music industry promoter and impresario Donald Tarlton, discovering and signing alternative/dance artists Metric, Death From Above 1979, MSTRKRFT, and Crystal Castles. [7] The label has been nominated as Canadian Independent Record Label of the Year at the Canadian Music Awards eight times, with its latest nomination in 2014. [8] Last Gang Management manages Lights and Arkells and co-manages Ryan Hemsworth, BadBadNotGood, Holy Fuck, Tennyson, and chef Matty Matheson, in partnership with management company People's Champ.

In 2006, he cofounded his own law firm, Taylor Mitsopulos Klein Oballa, [9] representing additional acts such as Billy Talent, Three Days Grace, Justin Nozuka, Daniel Powter, Alexisonfire, Gogol Bordello, and Lights in addition to producers and songwriters such as Henry "Cirkut" Walter and Gordon Lightfoot. The law firm also provides legal advice to YTV's number-one-rated show, The Next Star, Canada's Walk of Fame, charitable organization Free The Children, and Slaight Music. Taylor was the long-time lawyer for Canadian media personalities George Stroumboulopoulos and Matte Babel, among others. In January 2012, the law firm changed its name to Taylor Klein Oballa LLP.

In March 2016, Taylor sold Last Gang to Entertainment One and took the position of President of Entertainment One's music division. [10] The management division at Entertainment One added management companies Hardlivings [11] and Nerve, [12] which handle clients including Riton, Tieks, Jax Jones, Tiga, The Black Madonna, and Daniel Avery. Entertainment One's music division was named the #2 Independent Label in the US in 2016, [13] and the artists associated with the company had a total of nine Grammy Award nominations for 2017. [14]

eOne publishing entered into joint venture with Grammy winning producer/writers, "Stereotypes" in August 2018. [15]

Taylor led the sale of Hasbro/eOne’s music business to Blackstone for USD $385 million in cash [16] with the deal closing on June 29, 2021. [17] The music business was renamed, MNRK Music Group on September 27, 2021 and Taylor was named President & CEO. [18]

Taylor is an executive producer of the "House of Strombo" concert series [19] along with George Stroumboulopoulos, Michael Sugar, and Bob Mackowycz. In April 2017, Apple Music announced its partnership with House of Strombo. [20] In 2019, Taylor served as executive producer of “Shoulder to Shoulder: A Centennial Tribute to Women's Suffrage” by The Karrin Allyson Sextet. [21] Taylor is on the advisory board for Ricky Martin’s, Martin Music Lab. [22] In December 2021 Taylor was a guest on the Trapital podcast with host Dan Runcie discussing MNRK, the music business and technology. [23]

Awards

In 2013, Taylor was honored by the Canadian Civil Liberties Association for Excellence in Advocacy alongside former Supreme Court Justice The Honourable Ian Binnie, and filmmaker David Cronenberg. [24] In 2017, [25] 2018, [26] 2019, [27] 2020, [28] 2021, [29] 2022, [30] and 2023 [31] Billboard magazine included Taylor in their "Indie Music Business Power List" and in June 2018 Variety Magazine named Taylor as one of its "International Music Industry Leaders". [32] In 2018, the Canadian Independent Music Association awarded him the Entrepreneur of the Year Award. [33] In 2021, Taylor was included alongside, Beyonce, The Weeknd, Jay Z, and Shakira in Billboard Magazine’s first “Change Agents” list, honoring leaders across the music industry who stepped up over the past year to help the industry survive the pandemic and respond to calls for social and racial justice. [34] In 2023 Taylor won a Grammy Award as executive producer on the Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year, “Fandango at the Wall in New York (2022)” from the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra directed by Arturo O’Farrill. [35] - Acceptance Speech

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nelly Furtado</span> Canadian singer (born 1978)

Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She has sold over 45 million records, including 35 million in album sales worldwide, making her one of the most successful Canadian artists. Critics have noted Furtado's musical versatility and experimentation with genres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Republic Records</span> Record label, division of Universal Music Group

Republic Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group (UMG). Based in New York City, it was founded by Avery Lipman and Monte Lipman as an independent label in 1995, and was acquired by UMG in 2000. Republic was initially an imprint of the Universal Motown Republic Group, and was renamed Universal Republic Records after a reorganization in 2006 before going back to its original name in 2012.

William Gregory Wells is a Canadian record producer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and audio engineer. He has worked with Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana Grande, Quincy Jones, Adele, Michael Bublé, Taylor Swift, John Legend, Kid Cudi, Dua Lipa, Stephen Schwartz, Missy Elliot, Burt Bacharach, Celine Dion, Timbaland, Selena Gomez, Rufus Wainwright, Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber, Ryan Tedder, Weezer, Jazmine Sullivan, Katy Perry, OneRepublic, Carrie Underwood, Deftones, Jamie Cullum, Pink, Theophilus London, Keith Urban, Crash Test Dummies, MIKA, Twenty One Pilots, Aerosmith, Elton John, Sir George Martin, and the Count Basie Orchestra. Throughout his career, Wells has contributed to projects which have sold a cumulative 130 million units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canadian Music Week</span> Canadian industry conference and music festival

Canadian Music Week is an industry conference and music festival held in Toronto and Ontario, Canada.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Like a Bird</span> 2000 single by Nelly Furtado

"I'm Like a Bird" is a song by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. It was written by Furtado and produced by Gerald Eaton and Brian West for her debut studio album, Whoa, Nelly! (2000). Released as the album's first single on September 25, 2000, it became a worldwide hit the following year, peaking at number one in Portugal, number two in Australia and New Zealand, number five in the United Kingdom, and number nine in the United States. It was the eighth-most-played song on Canadian radio in 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say It Right</span> 2006 single by Nelly Furtado

"Say It Right" is a song by Canadian singer Nelly Furtado from her third studio album, Loose (2006). It was written by Furtado, Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, and Nate "Danja" Hills, with Furtado crediting the Eurythmics' song "Here Comes the Rain Again" as her inspiration. The song was released as the third single from Loose on 31 October 2006 by Geffen Records and Mosley Music Group; in Europe, it was released as the fourth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Good Things (Come to an End)</span> Song by Canadian singer Nelly Furtado

"All Good Things (Come to an End)" is a song by Canadian singer Nelly Furtado from her third studio album, Loose (2006). It was written by Furtado, Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, Chris Martin, and Nate "Danja" Hills. The song was released as the album's third European single in November 2006. It was released as the fourth single in the United States and Australia. The single features Chris Martin, frontman of the band Coldplay, harmonizing throughout the song. The original version of the song included Martin saying a few words at the beginning and singing the chorus behind Furtado.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Give It to Me (Timbaland song)</span> 2007 song by Timbaland featuring Nelly Furtado and Justin Timberlake

"Give It to Me" is a song performed by American producer, songwriter and rapper Timbaland, released as the first single from his second studio album Shock Value (2007). The song features vocals by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado and American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake. All three artists co-wrote the song together with American rapper Attitude and American producer Danja, who co-produced the song with Timbaland. Mosley Music Group, in association with Blackground Records and Interscope Records, serviced the song to contemporary hit and rhythmic radios in the United States on February 6, 2007, and later to urban radios on March 10, 2007. "Give It to Me" is an electro song that embodies the sensibilities of club music. The song features the protagonists addressing their critics about their successes in the music industry.

Daniel Glass is an American music industry executive whose output has included work with artists Billy Idol, Wilson Phillips, Sinéad O'Connor, Jon Secada, Warren Zevon, Blur, Huey Lewis and the News, Goldfinger, Reel Big Fish, Erykah Badu, Baha Men, Kurupt, The Pretenders, Sugarcult, and, in 2007, the launch of Glassnote Entertainment Group artists – Secondhand Serenade, Justin Nozuka, Grammy Award-winning Phoenix, Grammy Award winning Mumford & Sons, The Temper Trap, Two Door Cinema Club, Daughter, Robert DeLong, Flight Facilities, Half Moon Run, Jeremy Messersmith, Chvrches, Grammy Award-winning Childish Gambino, Aurora, Mansionair, The Strumbellas, Luwten, Dylan Cartlidge, Ripe, Cecilia Castleman, Silvana Estrada, Mosa Wild and Jade Bird. In 2011 Rolling Stone magazine named Glassnote "Best Indie Label." In 2013 and 2014, Glassnote won the A2IM Libera award for Best Label of the Year. In December, 2015, Glass was named a CHEVALIER DE L'ORDRE DES ARTS ET DES LETTRES by the French Minister of Culture.

Last Gang Records is a record label formed by Canadian music industry lawyer Chris Taylor and concert promoter Donald K. Tarlton in the fall of 2003 at the Pop Montreal Music Festival. Last Gang was nominated as Independent Record Label of the Year at the Canadian Music Awards in 2006.

<i>Mi Plan</i> 2009 studio album by Nelly Furtado

Mi Plan is the fourth studio album and the first Spanish-language album by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. It was released independently on September 11, 2009 by Furtado’s own record label Nelstar Entertainment with distribution by Universal Music Latino. This marks Furtado’s first independently released album. Recording sessions for the album took place from 2008 to 2009. The album was produced primarily by Furtado with other contributions made by James Bryan, Lester Mendez, Salaam Remi, The Demolition Crew, Julieta Venegas and Brian West. Furtado described the songs on the album to be "simple love songs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nasri (musician)</span> Canadian musician and producer

Nasri Tony Atweh, known mononymously as Nasri, is a Canadian musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He currently resides in Los Angeles, California. He is the lead vocalist and songwriter for the reggae fusion band, Magic!, a group consisting of fellow Toronto natives, Mark Pellizzer, Alex Tanas, and Ben Spivak. MAGIC!'s single "Rude" became a major international hit single. He is currently managed by Wassim "Sal" Slaiby.

Lionsgate Canada is a Canadian entertainment company and a subsidiary of Lionsgate Studios. Based in Toronto, Ontario, the company is primarily involved in the acquisition and production of films and television series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Promiscuous (song)</span> 2006 single by Nelly Furtado

"Promiscuous" is a song by Canadian singer Nelly Furtado from her third studio album, Loose (2006). The song was written by Timothy "Attitude" Clayton, Tim "Timbaland" Mosley, Furtado and Nate "Danja" Hills. The song's lyrics feature a conversation between a man and woman who call each other promiscuous. The song was released as the second single from the album on April 25, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darren Throop</span> Canadian businessman

Darren Throop is a Canadian businessman who is the founder and CEO of Entertainment One (eOne). Through corporate acquisitions and partnerships, Throop has expanded Entertainment One's global footprint and network which includes film and television studio The Mark Gordon Company; content creation venture Amblin Partners with Steven Spielberg, DreamWorks Pictures, Participant Media, and Reliance Entertainment; leading feature film production and global sales company Sierra Pictures; unscripted television production companies Renegade 83, Paperny Entertainment and Force Four Entertainment; world-class music labels Dualtone Music Group and Last Gang Records; and award-winning digital agency Secret Location.

Adam King Feeney, better known as Ging and by his former stage name Frank Dukes, is a Canadian musician, record producer, and songwriter. A prolific producer, he has worked with artists including Lorde for Melodrama, Camila Cabello, Post Malone and The Weeknd. Following a two decade production career, he retired as Frank Dukes in 2021 to pursue his own music and art as Ging; he released his debut solo album We're Here, My Dear in 2022.

Mark Pitts is an American record producer, manager, and President of RCA Records and CEO of ByStorm Entertainment. He has managed a number of artists and produced musical tracks for performers including Notorious B.I.G, Faith Evans, Miguel, J. Cole, Jawan Harris, Kardinal Offishall, Ciara, Chris Brown, Usher, TLC, Anthony Hamilton, CeeLo Green and Ro James. Pitts executive produced the Netflix film, Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell, co-produced Notorious (2009), and Blue (2009).

MNRK Music Group, formerly known as Koch Records and Entertainment One (eOne) Music/Records, is an American independent record label and music management company based in New York City. It was formed in 1987 as a music division of Koch Entertainment, which was acquired by and absorbed into Entertainment One in 2004. eOne was acquired by toy and multimedia company Hasbro in 2019, absorbed its family brands division in the process and announced the sale of this division to The Blackstone Group in April 2021, which then adopted this name. Hasbro then sold the remains of eOne to Lionsgate, who then rebranded it initially as eOne Canada and then Lionsgate Canada.

<i>BODR</i> 2022 studio album by Snoop Dogg

BODR is the nineteenth studio album by American rapper Snoop Dogg. It was released on February 11, 2022, through Death Row Records, as his third studio album released on the label following a 26-year lapse since Tha Doggfather (1996). The album was distributed by Create Music Group. It features guest appearances by Nas, T.I., Sleepy Brown, Nate Dogg, The Game, DaBaby, Uncle Murda, Wiz Khalifa and Lil Duval and production by Battlecat, Bink, DJ Green Lantern and Hit-Boy, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Silverstein</span> American music executive

Brandon Silverstein is an American entrepreneur, investor, and entertainment industry executive. He is the founder and CEO of S10 Entertainment, a record label, artist management, music publishing, film, and investment company.

References

  1. ↑ "'eOne Music Is Now MNRK Music Group; Chris Taylor Remains President/CEO'". Billboard. 27 September 2021.
  2. 1 2 "Spin Doctor - Toronto Star Aug 2, 2009". Toronto Star . 2 August 2009.
  3. ↑ "Billboard" (PDF). www.americanradiohistory.com. October 27, 1994. Retrieved 2019-05-29.
  4. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (29 October 1994). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. – via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  5. ↑ Inc, Nielsen Business Media (11 March 2000). "Billboard". Nielsen Business Media, Inc. – via Google Books.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ↑ "Toronto Star: Ex-rocker Chris Taylor now a player of a different kind, as a force behind Toronto's biggest music stars". Toronto Star . 2 August 2009.
  7. ↑ "About Last Gang - Last Gang Records".
  8. ↑ "Canadian Music Week Announces Nominees For The Canadian Music & Broadcast Industry Awards". Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2014-07-07.
  9. ↑ "Our Lawyers - Taylor Oballa Murray Leyland LLP Entertainment and Media Lawyers".
  10. ↑ "Billboard: Chris Taylor Appointed President Of Entertainment One Music". Billboard .
  11. ↑ "Entertainment One Music adds Hardlivings management to roster". Music Business Worldwide. 8 September 2016.
  12. ↑ "eOne Welcomes Nerve Artist Management". 4 November 2016.
  13. ↑ "Chris Taylor's Global Ambition For eOne Music". 11 December 2016.
  14. ↑ "Entertainment One Celebrates 9 Nominations for The 2017 GRAMMY AWARDS".
  15. ↑ "Grammy-Winning Producers The Stereotypes Launch Joint Publishing Venture With eOne". 28 August 2018.
  16. ↑ "Blackstone To Acquire eOne Music From Hasbro In 385m Cash Deal". 26 April 2021.
  17. ↑ "Hasbro Closes eOne Music Business Sale For 385 Million". The Hollywood Reporter . 29 June 2021.
  18. ↑ "eOne Music Is Now MNRK Music Group; Chris Taylor Remains President/CEO". Billboard .
  19. ↑ "Apple Music presents intimate concert series, House Of Strombo". YouTube . 13 April 2017. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
  20. ↑ "Apple Music Picks Up Toronto's 'House of Strombo' Concert Series". Billboard .
  21. ↑ Newman, Melinda. "Harry Belafonte, Rosanne Cash, Karrin Allyson Celebrate 'Centennial Tribute to Women's Suffrage'". Billboard.
  22. ↑ "'Ricky Martin Launches Martin Music Lab, With Focus On 'Elevating' Audio Entertainment Experiences'". Billboard.
  23. ↑ "'Chris Taylor on MNRK's Rebrand and Managing Death Row Records Catalog and Music's M&A Market". Trapital. 17 December 2021.
  24. ↑ "Canadian Civil Liberties Association for Excellence in Advocacy". Archived from the original on July 25, 2013. Retrieved July 12, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Billboard - Indie Music Business Power List 2017". Billboard .
  26. ↑ "Billboard - Indie Music Business Power List 2018". Billboard .
  27. ↑ "Billboard - Indie Music Business Power List 2019". Billboard .
  28. ↑ "Billboard - Indie Music Business Power List 2020". Billboard .
  29. ↑ "Billboard - Indie Music Business Power List 2021". Billboard .
  30. ↑ "Billboard - Indie Music Business Power List 2022". Billboard .
  31. ↑ "Billboard - Indie Music Business Power List 2023". Billboard .
  32. ↑ "Variety - International Music Industry Leaders". 4 June 2018.
  33. ↑ "CIMA - Gala Spotlight: Entrepreneur of the year Award, Chris Taylor".
  34. ↑ "Billboard Change Agents: Leaders Stepping Up In A Year of Turmoil". Billboard .
  35. ↑ "Fandango at the Wall in New York (2022)".
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.