Hip-Hop's Gepettoes of Culture: The Unsung Heroes of the 90s

The Invisible Hands Behind Hip-Hop's Ascension

The mid-90s marked a critical juncture in hip-hop, not only as an artistic expression but as a burgeoning economic powerhouse. Moving to NYC to work at Columbia Records in 1995, at the age of 25, placed me at the epicenter of this transformation. The pay was substantial, and the perks were abundant. This was a time when young executives, artists, and influencers were breaking molds and reshaping cultural landscapes. In my 550 Madison Avenue offices overlooking Central Park and in the back seats of town cars, we crafted the futures of nascent stars like Destiny’s Child, Nas, The Fugees, Maxwell and Lauryn Hill. I am forever grateful for this moment, it has shaped me in numerous ways. I often find myself reflecting on how Hip Hop served as my informal equivalent of a Harvard Business School education

In the “golden era of 90’s” the connections between …