Jacob York has been a powerful force in the music industry over the past 15 years, playing a key role in the career formation of hip-hop’s élite.
Having spent the last 10 years producing countless star-studded events with big names like Kim Kardashian, Diddy, and Lil Wayne, York has proven he has longevity in the world of promotion. –christian johnson
What is your current title?
I’m an entrepreneur. Both of my parents were successful in business, so I grew up around it. I started throwing events when I was very young. At the age of 14, I had my first successful event. My parents owned a projector, so I would have movie night in the neighborhood, with candy, popcorn and the works. I enjoyed having something that my community could be involved in.
Would you say that being successful is in your blood?
I wouldn’t say that; I think leadership is in your blood. Everyone has their own. I was always the person reading, learning, and asking questions; being intrigued by business is what motivated me.
How did you end up in Atlanta?
I came down to Atlanta as a consultant for major record labels. I worked with companies like Epic, RCA, Columbia, and Sony, who sent me to Japan and Europe to teach their urban department how to do street promotions and market the music. I was instrumental in 80 percent of the deals that came out of Atlanta between 1999-2006.
Why is the Atlanta market special to you?
It was a lot of talent and opportunity in Atlanta that was being overlooked. At the time, NYC was dominating the industry, because all the record labels, and TV companies were primarily located in New York. With Atlanta, I wanted to throw events that were cool, different and energetic, with the goal for people to have fun in mind. This is a very unique situation and I’ve enjoyed building, cultivating, and seeing it grow. At the end of the day, it’s all about making iconic moves.
Photo courtesy of Prince Williams/Atlpics.net.
