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Carlos McKinnney-CEO/founder Urban LegendzCarlos McKinney brings over 10 years of music industry experience working with top level recording companies. Currently, Mr. McKinney is CEO/Founder of URBAN LEGENDZ. Mr. McKinney has signed deals with Def Jam, Motown, Arista records and has produced multiple Grammy winning artists. Mr. McKinneys diverse musical ability has enabled him to produce music for hit television shows, jazz albums to Hip Hop and R&B. His musical and executive abilities has gain him comparisons to the likes of LA Reid, BabyFace, P. Diddy and Quincy Jones. Throughout his career in music, Mr. McKinney has signed over 15 acts to recording, publishing, song and distribution deals.Carlos Mckinney was born and raised in Detroit Michigan.
Born into one of Detroits most prestige musical families, the McKinneys musical pedigree goes back to Victor Records in the 1930s thru the Motown era and continues on thru many generations.
Carlos began to study music at age the 3. He competed and won several classical piano competitions in junior high and throughout his high school career.
At 12, he was given his first keyboard. His uncle who saw his potential asked Carlos to join his band. They played clubs and cabarets. This began his career as a professional musician.
At 14, Carlos was hired by Inner City to be part of the keyboard team where he co-produced his first hit record Good Life. It was then when he started learning the inner working of the music business.
At age 16, Carlos Founded, managed and performed in the The Legacy Quintet.
Legacy created a buzz by performing local nightclubs, political functions and schools.
After creating a buzz, Carlos produced Legacys first album With You In Mind and sold it at concerts, clubs and made deals with local retailers. With You In Mind brought in over $100,000 in revenue sales.
Carlos revieced scholarships for college in classical harp and jazz piano.
He moved to New York where he attended New School Mannes University where he received his BFA. While attending college Carlos and his group signed a major record deal with Motown records. He also gained international acclaim as a side musician by performing all over the world with jazz greats such as Elvin Jones, Sonny Rollins, Wynton Marsalis, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Garrett, Roy Hargrove, Wallace Roney, Buster Williams and many more.
In 1995 Carlos teamed up with producer Mtume to score the hit television series NEW YORK UNDERCOVER. This gave him the opportunity to work alongside such artist as Mary J Blige, Luther Vandross, Patti Labelle, Teddy Riley, Blackstreet and Alyaih.He was recognize by Leor Cohen who mentored him and gave him a production and song deal with DEF JAM RECORDS where he worked with artists such as Case, Montell Jordan, Kandace Love and Redman.
It was with DEF JAM where Carlos teamed up with BabyFace to produce songs for the Soul Food series Soundtrack.
Additionally, Carlos has produced Billboard Top 40 singles for Boys2Men, Faith and Before Dark.In 2004, Carlos caught the attention of Clive Davis when he formed, produced and developed R&B girl trio LYRIC. Clive signed LYRIC and gave Carlos multiple deals with J Records. Since signing LYRIC has gained national attention as next Hottest girl trio since TLC and DESTINYS CHILD.
