Music
executive Bryan Leach has officially become a person to watch in the music business,
with his inclusion on Crain’s New York Business‘ annual 40 Under
40 list.Leach
started his career in 1995 as a director of artist development for independent
label TVT Records.
He transitioned into the label’s artist and repertoire (A&R) department and
is credited with developing popular rap groups like Lil Jon & The East Side
Boyz, the Ying Yang Twins and Pitbull.He
was named Senior Vice President of Urban for J Records/RCA Music Group in August
2006 and reports directly to BMG U.S. Chairman, Clive Davis. "When
I found out that they wanted to recognize me this year, I thought it was cool,
because it was recognition of the whole roller coaster ride I went through
last year, making the whole transition from employee to entrepreneur," Leach
told AllHipHop.com. "I helped TVT sell 10 million records in just four years
as an independent. So making the transition to J Records and starting a partnership
there, in today’s business, is no small thing."Crain’s
New York Business is a weekly publication that covers the happenings in the
New York business community. Prior
40 Under 40 honorees include Russell Simmons, Andre Harrell, and Kevin Liles.
And
like the aforementioned record executives that have made the list, Leach told
AllHipHop.com that plans are underway to build his label, The Polo Grounds Music
Group, into the next Hip-Hop powerhouse. "If
I modeled it after any label, I would say it’s LaFace," Leach said, referencing
the legendary Atlanta label founded by Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth
"Babyface" Edmonds."I
am not only building and developing and signing star artists, but also star executives,"
Leach continued. "We are based in New York with an office and studio in Atlanta
as well, and we plan on making J Records one of the top two places when you talk
about rap."Leach’s
other accomplishments include his role as founder of FanMale Inc., a nonprofit
organization which the Harlem native established to support mentoring and internship
opportunities for Harlem students.The
organization is financing a program at P.S. 46 (Arthur Tappan School), which is
located at the Polo Grounds housing projects in Harlem."It’s
personal in a sense that it’s me always doing what I wanted to do, from when I
lived in the Polo Ground projects," Leach said. "I just want to do some
things that I think can change that community, particularly for males. We support
after school programs and mentor Harlem youth."Leach
joins Essence Magazine editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray and Niche Media
CEO and founder Jason Binn on the list, which spotlights New York’s most promising
entrepreneurs for the year ahead.
Crain’s New York Business’ 40 Under 40 hit stores today (Jan. 29).
