Benny Medina
Encyclopedia
Benny Medina is the CEO of The Medina Company and son of legendary Jazz drummer Ahmad "Benny" Medina. He has worked in the music business as a producer
, talent manager and record executive. He has been involved in the careers of a variety of recording artists and performers throughout his career.
. The antics/escapades of Medina living with the Gordy family is the basis for the 1992 Will Smith show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Medina started his career with the group Apollo
, who released their self titled debut on Gordy/Motown in 1979. Medina was the lead singer, other members included Kerry Gordy
(keyboards), Cliff Liles (bass), Lenny Greene (drums) and Larry Robinson (guitar). Medina co-wrote three of the seven tracks, including “Astro Disco,” for which they are best known. The album was produced by Ray Singleton
, former wife of Motown founder Berry Gordy
.
At age 24, Medina became the head of A&R for Motown, working as a protégé to Berry Gordy
. Under Gordy, Medina wrote and produced for legendary Motown acts such as The Temptations
, Smokey Robinson
, Billy Preston
, Rick James
and Teena Marie
.
Medina then moved on to Warner Bros. Records
, where executive Mo Ostin tasked him to build and cultivate the careers of the company’s urban artists as VP/GM of the Urban Music Division. While at Warner Bros., Medina collaborated with artists such as Ray Charles
, Babyface, Prince
and Chaka Khan
as well as Madonna
, Paul Simon
and Fleetwood Mac
. He also wrote and produced for Naughty by Nature
, Queen Latifah
, De La Soul
, Biz Markie
, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane
, Roxanne Shante and Monie Love.
After leaving Warner Bros., Medina and longtime friend Jeff Pollack
formed Medina/Pollack Entertainment, which grew into a full service management and production company. They masterminded a variety of projects, including Booty Call
, Above the Rim
, and Maid in Manhattan
.
Early 2009 Benny Medina formed another company called The Medina Company.
. Along with Lopez and then-head of Sony Music, Tommy Mottola
, Medina launched Lopez's pop music career in 1999, after which he and Lopez worked intensively together building a dominant film, music, fragrance and clothing empire. In 2003, at the height of her popularity, Lopez and Medina had a public falling out, and split. They remained in contact with each other, and unofficially reunited during late 2007. As of 2008, Medina officially resumed his role as Lopez's manager, and is also a godparent to her twin children.
Other clients were also managed by Medina to lesser extents, including Tyra Banks
, whom Medina helped to create a largely successful television and fashion career. Medina managed Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and aided in the launch of the Sean John
apparel and fragrance empire. He has also managed singer Mariah Carey
, the ex-wife of Tommy Mottola (his close colleague while working with Lopez) before being let go in September 2008. Medina was also dismissed by actress/recording artist Brandy
(fired him in 2004), and R&B singer Usher (who fired him in 2008).
Television producer
The primary role of a television Producer is to allow all aspects of video production, ranging from show idea development and cast hiring to shoot supervision and fact-checking...
, talent manager and record executive. He has been involved in the careers of a variety of recording artists and performers throughout his career.
Career
Medina attended Beverly Hills High where he met Kerry GordyKerry Gordy
Kerry Ashby Gordy is a career music executive who is now the CEO of Kerry Gordy Enterprises, LLC and Nu Vintage, LLC. .-Early years:...
. The antics/escapades of Medina living with the Gordy family is the basis for the 1992 Will Smith show Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Medina started his career with the group Apollo
Apollo (quintet)
Apollo was an American R&B/disco group that recorded for Motown in the late 1970s. They are best known as the band of future music executives Benny Medina and Kerry Gordy.-History:...
, who released their self titled debut on Gordy/Motown in 1979. Medina was the lead singer, other members included Kerry Gordy
Kerry Gordy
Kerry Ashby Gordy is a career music executive who is now the CEO of Kerry Gordy Enterprises, LLC and Nu Vintage, LLC. .-Early years:...
(keyboards), Cliff Liles (bass), Lenny Greene (drums) and Larry Robinson (guitar). Medina co-wrote three of the seven tracks, including “Astro Disco,” for which they are best known. The album was produced by Ray Singleton
Ray Singleton
Ray Mayberry Liles Gordy Singleton is an American R&B producer, songwriter and vocalist, best known for her association with ex-husband Berry Gordy during the early days of Motown.-Early life:...
, former wife of Motown founder Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
.
At age 24, Medina became the head of A&R for Motown, working as a protégé to Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy
Berry Gordy, Jr. is an American record producer, and the founder of the Motown record label, as well as its many subsidiaries.-Early years:...
. Under Gordy, Medina wrote and produced for legendary Motown acts such as The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, Smokey Robinson
Smokey Robinson
William "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
, Rick James
Rick James
James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. , better known by his stage name Rick James, was an American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer. James was a popular performer in the late 1970s and 1980s, scoring four number-one hits on the U.S. R&B charts performing in the genres of funk and R&B...
and Teena Marie
Teena Marie
Mary Christine Brockert, better known by her stage name Teena Marie, was an American singer, songwriter and producer...
.
Medina then moved on to Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
, where executive Mo Ostin tasked him to build and cultivate the careers of the company’s urban artists as VP/GM of the Urban Music Division. While at Warner Bros., Medina collaborated with artists such as Ray Charles
Ray Charles
Ray Charles Robinson , known by his shortened stage name Ray Charles, was an American musician. He was a pioneer in the genre of soul music during the 1950s by fusing rhythm and blues, gospel, and blues styles into his early recordings with Atlantic Records...
, Babyface, Prince
Prince
Prince is a general term for a ruler, monarch or member of a monarch's or former monarch's family, and is a hereditary title in the nobility of some European states. The feminine equivalent is a princess...
and Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
as well as Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
, Paul Simon
Paul Simon
Paul Frederic Simon is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist.Simon is best known for his success, beginning in 1965, as part of the duo Simon & Garfunkel, with musical partner Art Garfunkel. Simon wrote most of the pair's songs, including three that reached number one on the US singles...
and Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
. He also wrote and produced for Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature
Naughty by Nature are a Grammy Award-winning American hip hop trio from East Orange, New Jersey that at the time of its formation in 1989 consisted of Treach, Vin Rock, and the DJ Kay Gee...
, Queen Latifah
Queen Latifah
Dana Elaine Owens , better known by her stage name Queen Latifah, is an American singer, rapper, and actress. Her work in music, film and television has earned her a Golden Globe award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, two Image Awards, a Grammy Award, six additional Grammy nominations, an Emmy...
, De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, Biz Markie
Biz Markie
Marcel Theo Hall better known by his stage name, Biz Markie, is an American rapper, beatboxer, DJ, comedian, singer, reality television personality, and commercial spokesperson. He is best known for his single "Just a Friend", an American Top 10 hit in 1989...
, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane
Big Daddy Kane
Antonio Hardy better known by his stage name Big Daddy Kane, is an American rapper who started his career in 1986 as a member of the rap group the Juice Crew. He is widely considered to be one of the most influential and skilled MC's in Hip Hop...
, Roxanne Shante and Monie Love.
After leaving Warner Bros., Medina and longtime friend Jeff Pollack
Jeff Pollack
As a film director he directed the films Above the Rim , Booty Call and Lost & Found .Pollack was also a producer and writer on the 1990s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and most recently served as executive consultant on The Tyra Banks Show...
formed Medina/Pollack Entertainment, which grew into a full service management and production company. They masterminded a variety of projects, including Booty Call
Booty Call
Booty Call is a 1997 comedy film, written by J. Stanford Parker and Takashi Bufford, and directed by Jeff Pollack. The film stars Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson, Vivica A. Fox and Tamala Jones.-Plot:...
, Above the Rim
Above the Rim
Above the Rim is a 1994 drama directed by Jeff Pollack. The screenplay was written by Pollack and journalist-turned-screenwriter Barry Michael Cooper , from a story by Pollack and Benny Medina....
, and Maid in Manhattan
Maid in Manhattan
Maid in Manhattan is a 2002 romantic comedy film directed by Wayne Wang about a hotel maid and a high profile politician who fall in love starring Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Fiennes, and Natasha Richardson. It is based on a story by John Hughes who is credited using a pseudonym. The original music score...
.
Early 2009 Benny Medina formed another company called The Medina Company.
Management Clients
Medina is best known for managing actress/singer/dancer Jennifer LopezJennifer Lopez
Jennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
. Along with Lopez and then-head of Sony Music, Tommy Mottola
Tommy Mottola
Thomas Daniel "Tommy" Mottola is an American music executive, co-owner of Casablanca Records in a joint venture with the Universal Music Group. He is the ex-husband of Mariah Carey and is married to Mexican singer Thalía...
, Medina launched Lopez's pop music career in 1999, after which he and Lopez worked intensively together building a dominant film, music, fragrance and clothing empire. In 2003, at the height of her popularity, Lopez and Medina had a public falling out, and split. They remained in contact with each other, and unofficially reunited during late 2007. As of 2008, Medina officially resumed his role as Lopez's manager, and is also a godparent to her twin children.
Other clients were also managed by Medina to lesser extents, including Tyra Banks
Tyra Banks
Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough...
, whom Medina helped to create a largely successful television and fashion career. Medina managed Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and aided in the launch of the Sean John
Sean John
Sean John Clothing Inc is a clothing and fragrance company owned by hip-hop mogul Sean Combs. The apparel company takes its name from Combs' first and middle given names....
apparel and fragrance empire. He has also managed singer Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, the ex-wife of Tommy Mottola (his close colleague while working with Lopez) before being let go in September 2008. Medina was also dismissed by actress/recording artist Brandy
Brandy Norwood
Brandy Rayana Norwood , known professionally as Brandy, is an American singer-songwriter, producer, actress, and dancer. In 2009, she introduced her rap alter-ego Bran'Nu....
(fired him in 2004), and R&B singer Usher (who fired him in 2008).