Barry Hankerson is a well-known music and entertainment mogul who has been involved in the industry for more than 40 years. A tireless entrepreneur, he is credited with creating many iconic and influential projects that span multiple genres, including R&B, hip-hop and gospel. His career highlights include managing the likes of R. Kelly, Usher, Toni Braxton and A aliyah, and serving as the executive producer for the hit TV show Empire.
Who is Barry Hankerson?
Barry Hankerson is a renowned music and entertainment mogul who has been active in the industry for over four decades. The Detroit native and son of iconic Motown musician Bobby Hankerson, Barry began his career managing R&B stars such as R. Kelly, Usher, Toni Braxton and Aaliyah. He was also executive producer of the popular TV show Empire, as well as numerous other projects.
Importance of Barry Hankerson in the music industry
Barry Hankerson has been an important figure in the music industry for more than 40 years. He has managed some of the greatest R&B, hip-hop and gospel artists of our generation, including R. Kelly, Usher, Toni Braxton and Aaliyah. His executive producing credits include the hit TV show Empire and many other influential projects. His work has helped to shape the sound, identity and legacies of these stars. He has also been a major influence on the entire music industry, inspiring countless other artists and producers.
Early Life and Career
Birth and upbringing of Barry Hankerson
Barry Hankerson was born in Detroit, Michigan to Bobby Hankerson and his wife. He is the older brother of music mogul Jomo Hankerson. Growing up, Barry was exposed to the music industry at an early age due to his father’s career as a Motown musician and producer. As a young adult, he worked as an engineer and then went on to manage R&B stars, including R. Kelly, Usher, Toni Braxton and Aaliyah.
Early forays into the music industry
Barry Hankerson’s early forays into the music industry began when he was just a teenager. He took on his first job as an engineer at Motown Records, where he learned about the ins and outs of the business. He then went on to manage some of the most successful R&B artists during that time, such as R. Kelly, Usher, Toni Braxton and Aaliyah. He also branched out into production, executive producing Empire as well as other projects.
Founding of Blackground Records
In 1989, Barry Hankerson founded Blackground Records, a record label and management company that was focused on R&B music. In the early 2000s, it had become one of the most successful independent record labels in the United States and was home to some of the biggest names in contemporary R&B and hip-hop. The label signed A aliyah and Toni Braxton, who went on to become multiplatinum stars. The label eventually folded in 2011 due to financial difficulties.
Blackground Records and Aaliyah
Establishment of Blackground Records and its success
In 1989, Barry Hankerson established Blackground Records, a record label and management company that was focused on R&B music. It quickly grew to become one of the most successful independent record labels in the US, with several hugely successful artists signed to it. Among them was Aaliyah, who had been discovered by Hankerson at the age of 12. The label was also home to other successful artists such as Toni Braxton and JoJo, and was an important part of the R&B music scene in the early 2000s.
Role of Barry Hankerson in shaping Aaliyah’s career
Barry Hankerson’s role in shaping Aaliyah’s career was instrumental. He first discovered her at the age of 12 and signed her to Blackground Records, his independent record label. There, he began to nurture her talent, developing an R&B sound that would come to define Aaliyah and her music. He also oversaw the production of each of her albums, ensuring quality and consistency. He was a major influence on her career until her untimely death in 2001.
Collaborations and successes of Blackground Records with other artists
In addition to the success of Aaliyah, Blackground Records was also home to several other successful artists. These included Toni Braxton, JoJo, Loon, 702 and many more. Hankerson was instrumental in helping these artist find their own unique sound and identity. He collaborated with various producers and song writers to create songs that were both commercially and critically successful. His work helped to shape the sound of R&B in the early 2000s.
Controversies and Legal Issues
Allegations and controversies
Barry Hankerson and Blackground Records faced several allegations and controversies during its run. In 2001, Aaliyah’s family sued the label for unpaid royalties after her untimely death. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court, but it was a major blow to the label’s reputation. In 2010, Hankerson was accused of fraud for allegedly taking money from artists without proper authorization. He denied the accusations, but it led to a legal battle that ended with Hankerson being forced to close the label in 2011.
Legal battles and disputes
Legal battles and disputes within the music industry are a common occurrence. Barry Hankerson and Blackground Records faced several legal battles throughout their run. In 2001, Aaliyah’s family sued the label for unpaid royalties after her death, which resulted in a settlement out of court.
In 2010, Hankerson was accused of fraud for allegedly taking money from artists without proper authorization. This led to a legal battle that ended with Hankerson being forced to close the label in 2011. In addition, several other artists and producers sued both Hankerson and Blackground Records for unpaid royalties and breach of contract. These disputes often resulted in settlements or out-of-court agreements.
Impact of controversies on Hankerson’s reputation and business
The controversies surrounding Barry Hankerson and Blackground Records had a major impact on his reputation and business. The lawsuit with Aaliyah’s family, as well as the fraud allegation in 2010, tarnished his image within the music industry and led to many artists not wanting to work with him or Blackground Records. This resulted in a dramatic decrease in business for Hankerson and eventually forced him to close the label in 2011.
Recent Ventures and Legacy
Recent projects and involvement
Since the closure of Blackground Records, Barry Hankerson has been involved in several projects and ventures. He is now the CEO of Curb Appeal Entertainment, a media and entertainment firm located in Atlanta, Georgia. Hankerson is also an investor in multiple startups, such as the social media app LiveMe. In addition, he serves as an advisor to multiple record labels and music artists. Hank erson is also the founder of the Aaliyah Memorial Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving Aaliyah’s memory and legacy.
Influence and legacy
Blackground Records played an integral role in shaping the sound of R&B music in the early 2000s. The label was home to several successful artists, such as Toni Braxton, JoJo, Loon, 702 and many more. Under Barry Hankerson’s leadership and guidance, these artists found their own unique sound and identity. His work with various producers and song writers helped to create songs that were both commercially and critically successful. As a result, Blackground Records left an indelible mark on the music industry.
Reflection on Barry Hankerson’s contributions and achievements
Barry Hankerson’s contributions and achievements in the music industry are undeniable. He founded Blackground Records in 1996, a label that would go on to shape the sound of R&B music for years to come. Hankerson was instrumental in helping several artists find their own unique sound and identity, resulting in numerous commercially and critically successful songs. His leadership and guidance helped to create an imprint that is still felt today. Despite the legal troubles and controversies he faced, Barry Hankerson’s legacy in the music industry remains strong.
Conclusion
Barry Hankerson is a music industry icon who has had a major influence on the sound of R&B music. He is the founder of Blackground Records, a label that was integral in shaping the sound of R&B in the early 2000s. Under his guidance and leadership, several artists found their own unique sound and identity, resulting in numerous commercially and critically successful songs. Despite the legal troubles and controversies, Hankerson’s legacy in the music industry remains strong.
Barry Hankerson’s contribution to the music industry cannot be overstated. He was instrumental in helping several artists find their own unique sound and identity, resulting in numerous commercially and critically successful songs. His work with various producers and song writers helped to create an imprint that is still felt today. This legacy of success has cemented his place as one of the most important figures in the music industry.
