When it comes to creating a marketing and promotions plan for a new or established artist the odds of success are a crap shoot. However, a bet on Black is like stacking your chips in the bank, when it comes to innovation in marketing strategy. As a ranking executive for Warner Bros. Records, Kevin Black is a pillar in the world of marketing and promotions, boasting a client list that literally reads from the pages of Billboards top 100 list. He has accumulated a monument of plaques for his role in propelling the careers of some of music's most elite talent.
Kevin Black has successfully implemented, strategized and navigated the marketing and promotional campaigns of Eminem, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Eve, Ruff Ryders, Limp Bizkit, Mary J. Blige, Black Eye Peas, Mya and Keshia Coles amongst others. Considered as "The Billion Dollar Man," this "hit-maker" is today's Hip-Hop Urban Legend. Black explains that promotion is an art: "It's nothing you can be taught, you just have to have it - and to make it in this industry, you have to want it."
The success of this self-proclaimed "executive of the future" a Bronx native has long traveled a career, that began straight out of the military, as a roadie for Run-DMC turned tour manager. His career quickly picked up as he made a name for himself as one of the hottest West Coast DJs, before he became a part of history as the National Promotions Director at Death Row Records. Black was the first promotion executive to utilize a street team to promote the company roster which introduced the streets to the infamous Death Row dynasty. With the streets on lock, it was time to go mainstream as he moved his hustle to the pop charts working with pop music royalty including; Prince and Janet Jackson. His career and the work that he's done is a testament to his mantra "from the streets to the suites" and his ability to effectively navigate between the two worlds giving consumers what they want.
The Four F Theory:
Black explains his formula for success is: "I take a simple management style, I think from the executive ivory suite to every grimy corner of the streets." He always makes sure to remember that it's the fans that make the hits.
The Four F Theory:
I live by my "Four F" theory.
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Be Friendly, you always gotta treat people friendly.
You have to Focus, but I don't me[an] just straight ahead, you gotta know your mission and always be open to see the big picture.
the third F is be Firm. Nobody likes a motherf**ker that just says yes to everything...
And my last F is you gotta know when to say "F**k it." Sometimes the mountain can't be climbed, the elephant can't get straddled, sometimes the lion don't want to get fed, but it's up to you to know what's going on.