Mel Carter (businessman)

Last updated
Mel Carter
Born1985 (age 38–39)
Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago
Nationality Trinidadian and Tobagonian
Occupation(s) Businessman, record executive, podcaster
Years active2015 – present
Children1

Mel Carter (born January 14, 1985) is an American businessman and music executive, originally from Trinidad and Tobago. [1] He is the former Senior Vice President of A&R at Republic Records [2] [3] and is the founder of Second Estate Records [4] , a record label distributed by Warner Records since 2022. [5] Over the course of his career, he has worked with a wide range of artists, including 2Rare [6] , City Morgue, Nobu woods, Kill Dyll, and others.

Contents

Carter is the owner of the franchise development company, Melanbo, which most notable has acquired dozens of Bojangles fast food franchises across the United States with Kevin "Coach K" Lee. [7] [8] He is the co-host of the finance-based podcast called “Business Untitled” with Mike Novogratz and Dave Barry.

Early life

Carter was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago to Clifton Carter and Stacy Jenkinson. He emigrated with his mother and sister to the United States in 1997, settling in Flatbush, Brooklyn. Mel’s mother passed away in 2016 after a 17-year battle with lupus. Between the 7th grade and 10th grade, Mel was kicked out of four different schools before ultimately dropping out. [1]

Career

Music industry

Carter began his career as a talent manager for artists that were later signed to Republic Records, Atlantic Records, Roc Nation, and Interscope. [1]

Carter is the Founder of Hikari-Ultra, a joint venture with Republic Records that discovered the music group City Morgue. In 2018, Carter began working with Republic Records, as Senior Vice President of A&R, overseeing the Hikari-Ultra imprint. In his work at Hikari-Ultra, Carter was instrumental in developing artists, like Cee Key. He is the first Senior Vice President of Republic Records without a high school diploma. [9] During his tenure at Republic, the label received Billboard Magazine’s Label of the Year award.

Carter exited Republic Records in October 2022 to launch his label Second Estate Records, which is distributed by Warner Records, where he also acts as a consultant to the Global A&R team along with Steve Carless (President of A&R) and Karen Kwak (EVP and Head of A&R). Carter received gold records for 2Rare and NLE Choppa, while also getting 2Rare named a member of XXL’s coveted 2023 Freshmen Class list. [10]

Other ventures

Carter is the owner of the franchise development company, Melanbo, named after his daughter Milan. Quality Control Music’s founder and COO, Kevin "Coach K" Lee is a known investor of Melanbo. [11] They’ve acquired more than 32 Bojangles fast food franchise stores. [12] Carter is a former investor in Nas’ restaurant group, Sweet Chick, [1] but later sold his shares due to conflict of interest with Bojangles.

Alongside Steven Manocherian, Dan Manocherian, and Mike Novogratz, Carter co-founded Adansonia in 2023, a real estate firm focused on developing affordable housing in the New York tri-state area.

Carter is the co-host of a finance-based podcast called “Business Untitled” with Mike Novogratz [13] , founder of the technology-financial services firm Galaxy Digital, and real estate developer Dave Barry [14] . Notable podcast guests have included J. Christopher Burch, Orlando Wharton, Harvey Spevak, Kevin "Coach K" Lee, Wes Edens, Coodie & Chike, Snoop Dogg [15] , John Foley, Ginny Wright, Dean Phillips, Eugene Remm, Anthony Scaramucci, Barry Bayat, Drea de Matteo, Christian Angermayer, Neil Blumenthal, Nate Parker, Mayor Eric Adams, Gregg Renfrew, Davido, Tom Szaky, and Gabe Whaley.

Personal life

Carter has been a member of Robin Hood Foundation’s Leadership Council since 2023. [16] He has one child, a daughter born in 2006.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Barry White</span> American singer (1944–2003)

Barry Eugene White was an American singer and songwriter. A two-time Grammy Award winner known for his bass voice and romantic image, his greatest success came in the 1970s as a solo singer and with the Love Unlimited Orchestra, crafting many enduring R&B, soul, funk, and disco songs such as his two biggest hits: "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" and "You're the First, the Last, My Everything".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elektra Records</span> American record label

Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group, founded in 1950 by Jac Holzman and Paul Rickolt. It played an important role in the development of contemporary folk and rock music between the 1950s and 1970s. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived as an imprint of Atlantic in 2009. In October 2018, Elektra was detached from the Atlantic Records umbrella and reorganized into Elektra Music Group, once again operating as an independently managed frontline label of Warner Music. In June 2022, Elektra Music Group was merged with 300 Entertainment to create the umbrella label 300 Elektra Entertainment (3EE), though both Elektra and 300 continued to maintain their separate identities as labels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sylvia Robinson</span> American singer and record producer (1935–2011)

Sylvia Robinson, known mononymously as Sylvia, was an American singer and record producer. Robinson achieved success as a performer on two R&B chart toppers: as half of Mickey & Sylvia with the 1957 single "Love Is Strange", and her solo record "Pillow Talk" in 1973. She later became known for her work as founder and CEO of the pioneering hip hop label Sugar Hill Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Island Def Jam Music Group</span> American record label group formed in 1998

The Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJMG) was an American recording music unit, formed on December 31, 1998 by Universal Music Group. It consisted of labels created under the operations of Island Records and Def Jam Recordings. On April 1, 2014, Universal Music Group publicly announced the disbandment of the Island Def Jam Music Group, leaving IDJMG and its affiliated subsidiaries compelled as separate sister labels.

<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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bojangles (restaurant)</span> American regional fast food chain

Bojangles OpCo, LLC., doing business as Bojangles, is an American regional chain of fast food restaurants that specializes in Cajun-seasoned fried chicken and buttermilk biscuits and primarily serves the Southeastern United States. The company was founded in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1977 by Jack Fulk and Richard Thomas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pam Tillis</span> American country music singer-songwriter (born 1957)

Pamela Yvonne Tillis is an American country music singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. She is the eldest child of country singer Mel Tillis. After recording unsuccessful pop material for Elektra and Warner Records in the early 1980s, Tillis shifted to country music. In 1989, she signed with Arista Nashville, entering top-40 on Hot Country Songs for the first time with "Don't Tell Me What to Do" in 1990. This was the first of five singles from her breakthrough album Put Yourself in My Place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bojangles Coliseum</span> Multi-purpose indoor arena in Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.

Bojangles Coliseum, originally Charlotte Coliseum and formerly Independence Arena and Cricket Arena, is an 8,600-seat multi-purpose arena located in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority, which also oversees nearby Ovens Auditorium and the uptown Charlotte Convention Center. The naming-rights sponsor is the Bojangles restaurant chain. The building's signature domed roof is made of tin, rather than steel or iron. The dome spans 332 feet in diameter and rises to 112 feet tall.

<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">Francis Lawrence</span> American music video, film and television director

Francis Lawrence is an American filmmaker and producer. After establishing himself as a director of music videos and commercials, Lawrence made his feature-length directorial debut with the superhero thriller Constantine (2005) and has since directed the post-apocalyptic horror film I Am Legend (2007), the romantic drama Water for Elephants (2011), four of the five films in The Hunger Games film series, and the spy thriller Red Sparrow (2018).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mr. Bojangles (song)</span> 1968 song by Jerry Jeff Walker

"Mr. Bojangles" is a song written and originally recorded by American country music artist Jerry Jeff Walker for his 1968 album of the same title. It has since been recorded by other artists, including the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in 1969.

Scott Hendricks is an American record producer who has produced over 30 country music artists. His productions have garnered 121 Top 10s, and 78 Number One hits. Between 1995 and 1997, he was President and Chief Executive Officer of Capitol Records Nashville. Between 1998 and 2001 he served as President and CEO of Virgin Nashville. He now serves as Warner Music Nashville's Executive Vice President of A&R. Acts for whom Hendricks has produced include Restless Heart, John Michael Montgomery, Brooks & Dunn, Trace Adkins, Alan Jackson, Faith Hill, Blake Shelton, Jana Kramer, Dan + Shay, Michael Ray, William Michael Morgan, Drew Parker and Tegan Marie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scooter Braun</span> American businessman (born 1981)

Scott Samuel "Scooter" Braun is an American talent manager, entrepreneur, record executive, and the CEO of Hybe America, the North American subsidiary of South Korean entertainment company Hybe Corporation. He is credited with having discovered Canadian singer Justin Bieber in 2008, whose success foresaw the establishment of Braun's record label RBMG Records, a joint venture with R&B singer Usher. Braun has also served in career management for artists including Ariana Grande, Kanye West, Demi Lovato, J Balvin, Ozuna, Dan + Shay, and the Kid Laroi, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlotte Checkers</span> American Hockey League team in Charlotte, North Carolina

The Charlotte Checkers are a minor-league professional ice hockey team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference in the American Hockey League (AHL), and are the top minor league affiliate of the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). The Checkers play their home games at Bojangles' Coliseum.

Mel Lewinter is an American music industry executive. He is executive vice president of label strategy at Sony Music Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michael Novogratz</span> American businessman

Michael Edward Novogratz is an American investor, formerly of the investment firm Fortress Investment Group. He is currently CEO of Galaxy Investment Partners which focuses on investments in cryptocurrency.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Halprin</span> American record producer

Robert David Halprin is an American record producer, executive producer and an independent record label owner. Halprin launched VRP Music, an independent record company, in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Wong</span> American music executive

Eric Wong, born in New York City, is the President of East West Records and the Head of Global A&R, Warner Recorded Music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2Rare</span> American rapper (born 2000)

Naseem Rafeeq Young, known professionally as 2Rare, is an American rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is best known for his guest appearance on NLE Choppa's 2022 single "Do It Again", which received gold certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and entered the Billboard Hot 100. He signed with Mel Carter's Second Estate Records, an imprint of Warner Records in October 2022. Prior, he signed with Internet Money Records, an imprint of 10K Projects in 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defiant Records</span> American record label

Defiant Records is a joint venture record label formed in 2023 between Warner Records and Steven "Steve-O" Carless, President of A&R at Warner Records. It focuses on genres such as hip-hop, R&B soul, dance, jersey club and drill.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Executive Spotlight: Mel Carter, SVP Of A&R At Republic Records, Wants To Inspire Young Black Executives at Forbes; by Rianna Turner; published October 29, 2020; retrieved December 2, 2024
  2. ↑ Republic Records Names Mel Carter Senior VP of A&R at Variety; published November 18, 2019; retrieved December 2, 2024
  3. ↑ Executive Turntable: Republic Loses A&R SVP to Restaurant Biz; UnitedMasters Hires 6 Execs at Billboard; by Chris Eggertsen; published September 23, 2022; retrieved December 2, 2024
  4. ↑ Mel Carter moves forward while looking back at Amsterdam News; by Karen Juanita Carrillo; published July 12, 2023; retrieved December 2, 2024
  5. ↑ WARNER RECORDS SETS JOINT VENTURE WITH MEL CARTER’S SECOND ESTATE RECORDS at Warner Music Group; published October 3, 2022; retrieved December 2, 2024
  6. ↑ Mel Carter Signs Philly Rapper 2Rare With $800K on the Spot at Source Magazine; by Shawn Grant; published October 4, 2022; retrieved December 2, 2024
  7. ↑ Quality Control’s Coach K And Music Exec Mel Carter Strike Historic Deal As Bojangles Owners at Vibe Magazine; by Armon Sadler; published December 2, 2022; retrieved December 2, 2024
  8. ↑ Coach K & Mel Carter to Build 14 New Atlanta Bojangles Restaurants at Empower Atlanta Magazine; published December 12, 2022; retrieved December 2, 2024
  9. ↑ Without a College Education, Mel Carter Used Life Lessons and People Skills to Become a Successful Music Exec at Black Enterprise; by Cedric Thornton; published September 21, 2020; retrieved December 2, 2024
  10. ↑ Mel Carter signs 2Rare for $800k on the spot at Remixd Magazine; published October 5, 2022; retrieved December 2, 2024
  11. ↑ Coach K and Mel Carter now own the largest Black-owned franchise at Bojangles at Revolt; by Kevin Keise; published December 2, 2022; retrieved December 2, 2024
  12. ↑ How Music Executive Mel Carter Added Fifth Largest Bojangles Franchisee In History To His Resume at Afro Tech; by Samantha Dorisca; published October 26, 2022; retrieved December 2, 2024
  13. ↑ Galaxy Digital CEO Michael Novogratz Says Hard Assets Key For Building Wealth For Those in 30s And 40s: 'I Still Like Bitcoin' at Benzinga.com; published April 11, 2024; retrieved December 2, 2024
  14. ↑ Board of Trustees David Barry, Co-Chair at Liberty Science Center; retrieved December 2, 2024
  15. ↑ Snoop Dogg Reveals How Much He Earned From 1B Spotify Streams at HipHopDX; by Shawn Setaro; published December 8, 2023; retrieved December 2, 2024
  16. ↑ Governance and Leadership at Robin Hood Annual Report; published 2023; retrieved December 2, 2024
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.