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Steve Stoute Commissions History Daily — Helping Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake & Corporations Meet Their Matches

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They call him The Commissioner for a reason.  On the last day of our Blacks Making History campaign, we’re giving you Steve Stoute.  The advertising executive, who was formerly Mary J. Blige‘s manager in the 90’s, is making landmark multi-million dollar campaigns for the biggest stars in entertainment.  And he’s the one who’s really brokering all the deals your fave celebs are singing and rapping about.

 

Meet Mr. Stoute inside…

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As the founder and CEO of Translation, Inc–an advertising firm who has become the leader in bringing together unlikely corporations and people to create a common profitable message for all involved–Steve Stoute is making history in his own way every day.

It’s not every day a black advertising executive is named EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR of the much respected Adage company.  And The Tanning of America Best Selling author nabbed that title just a month ago.

Wondering how Jay-Z, his business partner, was welcomed with open arms to the billionaire boys club of NBA owners….you can look at Steve for that.  Jay’s huge Made In America three-day concert last year with rock, indie and rap acts was the brainchild of the ad executive who paired the rapper with another big client–Budweiser.  And it was all to further the idea that music is all about the message, not the races of the people who love it. 

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From Chris Brown getting teamed up with Spearmint–which produced a hit song to boot–to Justin Timberlake bringing "soulful pop" to McDonald’s "I’m Loving It" campaign to LeBron James starring in fun basketball ads for State Farm…these are all the products of Steve Stoute’s skills.  He also worked out major deals for people like Lady Gaga.

It’s not often big corporate brands take a risk with a deep long term relationship with hip hop or pop culture.  And thanks to Stoute, he’s making corporations understand what they could be missing out on.  The voice of those cultures are now included in the big brands those same voices spend their money with.  His newest brainchild is NBA All-Star MVP Chris Paul‘s comedic Cliff Paul/Chris Paul campaign with State Farm. 

All of these business moves commissioned by Steve Stoute lead not only to MAJOR millions for all involved…but also lead to the culture and voices of those who have always been ignored in the past, now being seen & heard with a synergy that is mutually beneficial.

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The Queens native, who is a former head honcho at the urban divisions of Sony Music & Geffen, told Adage about what first sparked his interest in advertising and influence: Will Smith & Tommy Lee Jones’ sunglasses from Men In Black that people started buying like crazy.

"Everyone thought it was a coincidence, and I was like, ‘This isn’t a coincidence,’" said Mr. Stoute. "I just felt like there was an opportunity in the ad business, because clients’ ads were isolated from what was truly happening in culture."

And about how he creates the blueprint for this type of "meshed" advertising:

"Entertainment is so sexy that people only pay attention to that," said Mr. Stoute. "But I think our strategy department is the best in the industry. The thinking in our agency never gets the credit it deserves because we have a celebrity. We are first and foremost a strategic and creative shop. And second, we have a Rolodex in entertainment and sports that’s unique in the industry."

Adage then reports on the major growth in his company in just a couple years:

His philosophy on marketing and culture was laid out in his 2011 book, "The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy," which essentially details how urban and hip-hop culture became mainstream culture, defining how millennials view the world. To use his own words, no longer does your ethnicity predetermine your cultural values. In other words, multiple cultures are the new general market.

The book has helped him define a personal brand in the marketing world, while the strategy has helped win accounts. In 2012, the agency grew its revenue 60% and increased its head count from 70 to more than 120 employees in New York and Chicago, with work from clients like McDonald’s State Farm and A-B InBev getting general-market play. Picking up the Bud Light creative account, which was at McGarryBowen , shows that big marketers increasingly have faith in Mr. Stoute and his agency.

Steve’s making black history every day by being a leading force in giving our culture, as well as others’, a significant voice in mainstream and corporate America.  And finding the perfect synergy and commonalities between the most unlikely of groups.  Loves it!

 

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Artist

Dee-1 Calls Raheem DeVaughn To “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Artist

Chelsea Pastel Releases Motivative New Single “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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Music

Chill Vibes and Sultry Melodies: Exploring iazY’s Latest Release “Pink Leaf”

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Hailing from the vibrant city of Irvine, the rising artist iazY is making waves with her latest single, “Pink Leaf,” released under her own label, iazY Music Ent. This track, produced by The Real Mapa and engineered by Troy “R8dio” Johnson, introduces listeners to iazY’s signature sound—a fusion of Urban pop rock melodies.

iazY shared her motivation behind crafting “Pink Leaf,” revealing, “I just had this vision of just a chill vibe, something for my ladies.” This intention shines through in the song’s laid-back groove and sultry lyrics, creating an irresistible atmosphere that invites listeners to unwind and groove along.

What sets “Pink Leaf” apart for iazY is not only its sound but also the emotions it evokes. She explains, “I think just how the song sounds and how it makes me feel. It just puts me in that ‘have fun chill’ vibe.” With its catchy hooks and lush production, “Pink Leaf” effortlessly captures iazY’s essence as an artist, marking a milestone in her musical journey.

As iazY continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of genres and infectious energy, fans eagerly anticipate upcoming shows and releases. To stay updated on iazY’s latest endeavors, follow her on Instagram @iazyofficial and keep an ear out for future announcements from iazY Music Ent.

Visit iazyMusic.com

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