Courtney Stewart

Last updated

Courtney Stewart is the founder of Right Hand Music Group and Right Hand Foundation and co-founder of Keep Cool Records. He is an artist manager known for his work with multi-platinum global superstar Khalid, and is a record label executive, tech investor, real estate developer, and humanitarian.

Contents

Early life and education

Stewart attended North Atlanta High School and Alabama State University. [1]

Career

An early friendship with fellow musician Bobby V led Stewart to become his manager when his musical career took off. [2] Later he ran Ludacris’ publishing company and managed hip-hop producers. [3]

2015–2019

Stewart discovered Khalid [4] in 2015-16 when the artist was still a teenager, [3] and went on to mentor and manage him beginning in 2016. [5] Following Khalid's breakout success, Stewart was included in Billboard's "40 Under 40: Music's Top Young Power Players" in 2017. [6]

In 2018, with Tunji Balogun (the future CEO of Def Jam Recordings) [7] and two others, Stewart co-founded Keep Cool Records, [8] a joint venture with RCA Records. [9] Keep Cool's first signing was Normani of Fifth Harmony. [10] Its roster also includes Lucky Daye, VanJess, Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, UMI, and Marzz.

In October 2018 Billboard included Stewart in its "21 Under 21" list. [11] Variety named him a Hitmaker in both 2018 [12] and 2019. [13] Stewart and Khalid delivered the keynote Q&A at the 2019 Pollstar Live! conference. [14]

2020–present

Stewart was a founding member and serves on the executive committee [2] of the Black Music Action Coalition, a nonprofit formed in 2020 to combat systemic racism in the music industry. [15] In 2020 Billboard included him on both its 2020 Power List [16] and its R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list, recognizing him for activism. [17]

Also in 2020, his Right Hand Music Group partnered with Techstars Music, an accelerator program for music-related startups. Right Hand became Techstars' first member company owned by a person of color. [18]

His management clients include Sinéad Harnett, [19] Wynne, Marzz, and South African R&B artist Elaine [20] in addition to Khalid.

Philanthropy

Stewart began supporting local Atlanta shelters in 2015, [21] buying and delivering Christmas gifts to local homeless shelters housed in hotels. [22] Inspired by this experience, in 2019 he founded the Right Hand Foundation, which provides free housing and educational programs to single mothers and their children in Atlanta. [23] The nonprofit launched its first "Right Hand Haven" housing in October 2019. [24]

Stewart also assisted Khalid in setting up the Great Khalid Foundation. He worked with Great Khalid when it donated $500,000 to the El Paso Community Foundation in El Paso, Texas in 2019 [25] to aid children and grandchildren of victims of the 3 August 2019 mass murder at Walmart.

In 2020 the National Museum of African American Music appointed Stewart to its board of directors' first Music Industry Relations Committee, [26] and his Right Hand Foundation partnered with St. Stephen Missionary Baptist Church-East Point to help support struggling families during the holiday season. [27]

In 2021 Billboard honored him as a Change Agent for helping the music community survive the COVID-19 pandemic and confront racial inequality. [28]

He is also committed to the advancement of HBCUs and was honored in October 2021 with an Alabama State University (ASU) 50 Under 50 alumni award. In October 2022 he announced a $100,000 donation to ASU to create scholarships for communication students and enhance the university's communication department. [29]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Coachella</span> American annual music and arts festival held in Indio, California

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, in the Coachella Valley in the Colorado Desert. It was co-founded by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen in 1999, and is organized by Goldenvoice, a subsidiary of AEG Presents. The event features musical artists from many genres of music, including rock, pop, indie, hip hop and electronic dance music, as well as art installations and sculptures. Across the grounds, several stages continuously host live music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Def Jam Recordings</span> American record label

Def Jam Recordings is an American multinational record label owned by Universal Music Group. It is based in Manhattan, New York City, specializing predominantly in hip hop, contemporary R&B, soul and pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benny Blanco</span> American record producer and songwriter (born 1988)

Benjamin Joseph Levin, known professionally as Benny Blanco, is an American record producer, songwriter, record executive and author. He is the recipient of the 2013 Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He also won the BMI Songwriter of the Year Award five non-consecutive times, and won the 2017 iHeartRadio Producer of the Year Award.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cashmere Cat</span> Norwegian DJ and producer (born 1987)

Magnus August Høiberg, known professionally as Cashmere Cat, is a Norwegian DJ and record producer. Often in tandem with benny blanco, he has been credited with production work for artists including Kanye West, the Kid Laroi, Selena Gomez, Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, Tory Lanez, Major Lazer, the Weeknd, and Kali Uchis. His debut studio album, 9 (2017) was released by blanco's Mad Love Records, an imprint of Interscope Records and peaked at number 14 on the VG-lista charts. It also entered the Billboard 200 and included the single "Adore", which marked his only entry on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Normani</span> American singer (born 1996)

Normani Kordei Hamilton, known mononymously as Normani, is an American singer. She first became known as a member of the girl group Fifth Harmony, which became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time. While in the group, she competed in Dancing with the Stars (2017). She embarked on a solo career with her 2018 debut single "Love Lies", which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100 and received quintuple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Endless Summer Tour</span> 2015 concert tour by Lana Del Rey

The Endless Summer Tour was the third headlining concert tour by American recording artist Lana Del Rey in support of her third studio album, Ultraviolence (2014). The tour began on May 7, 2015, in The Woodlands, Texas and concluded on June 16, 2015, in West Palm Beach, Florida finishing with a total of twenty shows over the span of two months. The first seven shows of the tour were supported by fellow alternative rock singer Courtney Love, while the majority of the remaining tour dates were supported by synthpop singer and producer, Grimes. Most of the tour dates were sold out instantly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kane Brown</span> American singer (born 1993)

Kane Allen Brown is an American country music singer and songwriter. First garnering a mass following on social media, he released his debut extended play (EP) Closer in June 2015, and followed it up with the single, "Used to Love You Sober" in October of that year. After Brown signed with RCA Nashville in early 2016, the song was included on his second EP and major label debut, Chapter 1 in March 2016. He released his eponymous debut studio album later that year in December. The album spawned the single "What Ifs", and in October 2017, Brown became the first artist to have simultaneous number ones on all five main Billboard country charts. Brown released his second album, Experiment, in November 2018, which became his first number one album on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Location (Khalid song)</span> 2016 single by Khalid

"Location" is the debut single by American singer Khalid. It was uploaded to SoundCloud on April 30, 2016, and released commercially in May 2016, serving as the lead single from his debut studio album American Teen (2017). The track was written alongside producers Syk Sense, Tunji Ige, Chris McClenney, Smash David, Alfredo Gonzalez, Austin Mensales, and Barjam Kurti Recorded at Beacon Hill Recording Studios, the song has been certified Diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). “Location” was nominated for Best R&B Song at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Khalid (American singer)</span> American singer (born 1998)

Khalid Donnel Robinson is an American singer and songwriter from El Paso, Texas. He signed with Courtney Stewart's Right Hand Music Group, an imprint of RCA Records to release his 2016 debut single, "Location" and its 2017 follow-up, "Young Dumb & Broke". Both songs peaked within the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100, received diamond certifications by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), and preceded the release of his debut studio album, American Teen (2017). Met with critical and commercial success, it received quadruple platinum certification by the RIAA and was nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>American Teen</i> (album) 2017 studio album by Khalid

American Teen is the debut studio album by American singer Khalid. It was released on March 3, 2017, by Right Hand Music Group and RCA Records. The album was supported by the Billboard Hot 100 top 20 singles "Location" and "Young Dumb & Broke"; as well as the third single "Saved".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">México Por Siempre Tour</span> 2018–19 concert tour by Luis Miguel

The México Por Siempre Tour was a concert tour by Mexican singer Luis Miguel in support of his 20th studio album ¡México Por Siempre!.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Lies (song)</span> 2018 song by Khalid and Normani

"Love Lies" is a song recorded by American singers Khalid and Normani for the film Love, Simon. It was released through RCA Records on February 14, 2018, as the second single from the film's soundtrack, which was curated by Jack Antonoff. The song was written by Khalid, Normani, Tayla Parx, Jamil Chammas, and Ryan Vojtesak, with production handled by Charlie Handsome and Digi. It marked Normani's first single release outside of Fifth Harmony.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Philip Lawrence (songwriter)</span> American songwriter

Philip Martin Lawrence II is an American songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur and voice actor, best known for his work with the songwriting and production team The Smeezingtons, alongside Bruno Mars and Ari Levine. He has won eight Grammy Awards for his work. Lawrence's latest recording project, 24K Magic, won at the Grammys in the categories Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best R&B Song, Best R&B Album, and Best R&B Performance. Lawrence is co-writer and co-producer on the majority of the songs released under these ventures. He also sings vocal with The Hooligans band who tours with Mars. He is also a voice actor, as he is the current voice of Sebastian since 2007, replacing Samuel E. Wright.

Keep Cool Records is an American record label founded by Tunji Balogun, alongside Right Hand Music Group founder Courtney Stewart, A&R Jon Tanners and marketing executive Jared Sherman. The label is a joint venture with RCA Records, a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America.

David Debrandon Brown, professionally known as Lucky Daye, is an American singer-songwriter from New Orleans. He is signed to Keep Cool Records and RCA Records. He released his first EP, I on November 9, 2018, and his second EP, II on February 6, 2019. The EPs were part of a series leading up to his debut studio album Painted which was released on May 24, 2019. His third EP, Table for Two, won the 2022 Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album. His second album, Candydrip, was released on March 10, 2022, preceded by the commercially successful single "Over". His third and latest album, Algorithm, was released on June 28, 2024. The album is currently nominated for Best R&B Album at the 2025 Grammy Awards.

Love Renaissance (LVRN) is an American record label and management company founded by Carlon Ramong, Justice Baiden, Junia Abaidoo, Sean Famoso McNichol and Tunde Balogun, and based in Atlanta, Georgia. The label is currently distributed through The Orchard, a unit of Sony Music. The label currently houses artists 6lack, Summer Walker, BRS Kash, Alex Vaughn, Eli Derby, the South African duo TxC and North Ave Jax. LVRN manages artists Shelley FKA DRAM, Westside Boogie, Dvsn, Davido, and Spinall.

Tunji Balogun is a Nigerian American record label executive. He is the CEO of Def Jam Recordings.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Handsome</span> American record producer and songwriter

Ryan Vojtesak, better known by his stage name Charlie Handsome, is an American record producer from Atlanta, Georgia. Vojtesak has been credited on albums for artists including Post Malone, Khalid, Drake, Kanye West, Travis Scott, The Weeknd, Young Thug, Juice WRLD, Chance the Rapper, Kodak Black, Sam Hunt, and Morgan Wallen.

References

  1. ↑ Jewél Jackson (October 17, 2018). "Courtney Stewart on success in the music industry: "Don't follow the dream. Set the dream."". Syracuse University. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  2. 1 2 Sarah Pittman (August 13, 2020). "Voices Of Live: Courtney Stewart On Finding His Place In The Music Biz – 'This Is My Calling'". Pollstar. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  3. 1 2 Eric Renner Brown (April 15, 2019). "'We Just Dream Big And Go After It': How Khalid & Manager Courtney Stewart Built A Streaming-Age Juggernaut". Pollstar. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  4. ↑ "Khalid Is The Shooting Star Of The Playlist Era". NPR. July 23, 2019. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  5. ↑ "Khalid (Right Hand Music Group)". Hits Daily Double. November 13, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  6. ↑ "40 Under 40: Music's Top Young Power Players Revealed". Billboard. October 6, 2017. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  7. ↑ Motolani Alake (August 10, 2021). "Tunji Balogun to become the new CEO of Def Jam". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  8. ↑ Rhian Jones (April 9, 2018). "RCA Announces Joint Venture With Keep Cool And CoFounder Tunji Balogun". Music Business Worldwide. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  9. ↑ Ogden Payne (April 9, 2018). "RCA Announces Joint Venture With Keep Cool And CoFounder Tunji Balogun". Forbes. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  10. ↑ Gail Mitchell (April 9, 2018). "Records: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  11. ↑ Rob LeDonne (October 12, 2018). "21 Under 21: How Managers for Billie Eilish, Khalid and Bhad Bhabie Keep Their Clients on the Right Path". Billboard. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Variety's 2018 Hitmakers Revealed". Variety. November 29, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  13. ↑ "The Hitmakers and Hitbreakers Who Defined the Sound of 2019". Variety. December 5, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  14. ↑ Eric Renner Brown (February 15, 2019). "Khalid, Manager Courtney Stewart Discuss Musician's Meteoric Rise In Pollstar Live! Keynote". Pollstar. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  15. ↑ Samantha Hissong (June 22, 2020). "Meet the Music Industry's New Black Music Action Coalition". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  16. ↑ "The 2020 Billboard Power List Revealed". Billboard. January 23, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  17. ↑ "Revealed: Billboard's 2020 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players — In A Year of Activism". Billboard. November 12, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  18. ↑ Bob Moczydlowsky (November 23, 2020). "We Gotta Start Somewhere: Techstars Music Will Fund a More Equitable Music Business". Rolling Stone. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  19. ↑ Sarah Jae Leiver (December 9, 2020). "Sinéad Harnett & EARTHGANG Release 'Take Me Away' Video". Broadway World. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  20. ↑ "Elaine (Columbia)". Hits Daily Double. February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  21. ↑ Collin Kelley (October 30, 2019). "Nonprofit Right Hand Foundation aims to revitalize homes for families in need". Reporter Newspaper & Atlanta Intown. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  22. ↑ CJ Johnson (October 11, 2019). "Music Industry Vet Gives 'Right Hand' To Atlanta Single Moms". AtlantaFI. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  23. ↑ Sean Richard Keenan (October 3, 2019). "Atlanta music manager's nonprofit is linking single mothers with rent-free housing, education programs". Curbed. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  24. ↑ "A Lil' Positivity: Right Hand Foundation Celebrates Launch Of First Haven For Single Mothers In Atlanta". Bossip. October 25, 2019. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  25. ↑ Aaron Montes (September 14, 2019). "Great Khalid Foundation opens office in El Paso with $500,000 donation for education". El Paso Times. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  26. ↑ "National Museum of African American Music Announces the Appointment of Its Music Industry Relations Committee". Charleston Chronicle. July 15, 2020. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2022.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  27. ↑ "SSMBC Partnership with Courtney Stewart Right Hand Foundation". YouTube. December 21, 2020. Retrieved February 15, 2022.
  28. ↑ "Billboard Change Agents: Leaders Stepping Up In A Year of Turmoil". Billboard. January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2022.
  29. ↑ "Music Executive, Entrepreneur, and Humanitarian Courtney Stewart to Donate $100,000 to ASU During Homecoming Game". Alabama State University. October 4, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 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.