CEO Marv Brown w/ Jermain Dupri
Marv Brown, CEO of Toronto-based label Top Cat and A&R Executive at Polo Grounds Music/Sony RCA recently announced the addition of sought-after industry executives Mudasser Ali and Nikko Bailey to his growing staff. Marv’s history in the game goes back to the 90s. He’s a 25 year veteran of the music and entertainment industry in North America. Working alongside Polo Grounds Music President Bryan Leach, his influential touch and experience in artist development and music production has helped sell millions of records globally and impacted the careers of Hurricane Chris, A$AP Mob — Rocky & Ferg and Pitbull. He’s also been building the city’s hip-hop culture since it’s golden-era.
We brought in the biggest R&B acts to Toronto, 112, Faith Evans, and Dru Hill” says Brown. “Later, I managed my own act, Ram-Z”
The R&B group got him his first big record deal with TVT Universal and led Polo Grounds president Bryan Leach (who was the A&R rep at TVT that signed Ram-Z) to take Brown under his wing and give him an A&R spot at Polo Grounds Music/Sony RCA in New York. As well, he’s created a foundation for urban acts in Canada through Top Cat Entertainment giving major exposure to Director X and renowned choreographer Luther Brown along with producing and marketing theatrical plays in both Toronto and New York, including Tyler Perry’s Marriage Counsellor, Umoja, Fela Kuti and Virtuality, all to critical acclaim.
Mudasser Ali, Creative Director
Mudasser Ali is a veteran Creative Director, DJ & industry executive who has worked with Warner Brothers & OVO Sound along with being a maverick project manager with Gramercy Records in Manhattan, NY that included content placements with BET, XXL, Billboard, Hypebeast, Karmaloop, VIBE, 12OZProphet & The Source Magazine amongst others. His creative work has been seen on Billboards in Toronto, Los Angeles & New York along with media outlets such as CNN & MTV. He brings relied upon industry intelligence and a mature sense of Creative Direction to the new conglomerate.
Nikko Bailey, Director of A&R
Nikko Bailey is a veteran record producer and A&R professional with one of the rarest resumes in hip-hop that includes working with Heavy D, Dipset, Wiz Khalifa, Juicy J, Playboi Carti, Bun B, Curren$y, Snoop Dogg, Diggy Simmons & more. He’s been featured on Billboard, VIBE, RESPECT, BET, and COMPLEX amongst others. He’s a highly-praised producer, songwriter and strategist with a keen sense of predicting future superstars. His music has been featured on multiple NETFLIX specials as his versatile ability to reach audiences in youth-forward metropolises such as NYC, Los Angeles, Toronto & the Mid-Western US has always been his strength. He brings deep knowledge and a winning history of identifying, preparing and developing underground talent for the mainstream.
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