The Risk Takers Documentary
New York City, New York | Series
Documentary, Music
"The Risk Takers" is an eight-part docu-series that spotlights African American entrepreneurs and their allies in the music industry from Berry Gordy's Motown Records to Drake's OVO Sound label. The series is told through the lens of artists, executives, managers and archival footage.
The Risk Takers Documentary
New York City, New York | Series
Documentary, Music
1 Campaigns | New Jersey, United States
Green Light
This campaign raised $20,498 for production. Follow the filmmaker to receive future updates on this project.
106 supporters | followers
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"The Risk Takers" is an eight-part docu-series that spotlights African American entrepreneurs and their allies in the music industry from Berry Gordy's Motown Records to Drake's OVO Sound label. The series is told through the lens of artists, executives, managers and archival footage.
About The Project
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Who are we?
We have over 40 years of experience in the entertainment business working with some of the biggest names in music…including JAY Z, 50 Cent, Outkast, Missy Elliott, Kevin Liles, Lyor Cohen, Julie Greenwald, etc. So far, we've interviewed over 30 guests on location in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago over the past two years. We've dedicated nights, weekends, early mornings, and a significant amount of our own money to get to this point.
Why This Story, Why Now?
With the resurgence of the music business driven by the popularity of urban music on platforms like Spotify, the profile of top artists may give the illusion that music is an inclusive business, but the numbers at the top tell a different story.
Although the music industry is centered on and profits from urban music and Black artists, only 4.2% of the top executives are Black, and less than 14% are women. (USC Annenberg School study conducted in 2021)
Historically, whether it was Black Swan or Motown Records, Black executives and creatives started their labels to advance and have their voices heard.
The Foundation
Pioneers like Berry Gordy (Motown Records), Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff (Philly International Records), and Sylvia Robinson (Sugar Hill Records) created the blueprint for Black-owned record labels. Their success gave way to a new breed of entrepreneurs who expanded from music into film, advertising, apparel, and sports.
As executives ourselves, we want to tell the stories of the unheard and unknown. It’s time to recognize the men and women who served as cornerstones behind this multi-billion-dollar industry.
Our Creative Approach
We want you as the viewer to feel as if you were having a conversation with an old friend or mentor because that's who many of these individuals are to us.
Imagine, sitting in DJ Jazzy Jeff's studio listening to unreleased music; DMC (RUN DMC) sharing never told before stories about life on the road, or hanging out with Master P's right-hand man from the comfort of your home.
To reinforce this feeling we often shoot at the homes and personal studios where the magic happens primarily using the Cannon C70 and Zoom recordings for authenticity.
We are intentional about telling this story with the level of gravity it deserves while steering clear of well-tread topics of beefs and rivalries. This allows our subjects to open up about the inner workings of the music business while sharing wildly engaging stories and the bold steps they took to make it.
So Where's the Money Going...
With your contribution, we plan to interview more subjects in Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles, then begin our post-production process this summer. This will include licensing archival footage and imagery to make the story come together.
How Else Can I Help?
Beyond your financial contribution you can also:
1. Share the link to this project with five friends.
2. Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel, Lowenburg Productions.
3. Tag and mention your favorite video streaming platforms on social media and let them know about the project.
Stretch Goals
Once we exceed our initial goal of $20,000 we will use the additional resources for music licensing and submissions for key festivals in 2023 in time for the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop!
Distribution
We will distribute the film independently with the goal of partnering with a major streaming platform (Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon, Peacock, etc.)
A Who's Who of Industry Insiders
Here's a shortlist of the esteemed artists and executives who have shared their stories to date.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson (author of "Born to Use Mics", "Jay-Z: Made In America", "Holler If You Hear Me")
Dina LaPolt (LaPolt Law Firm)
DJ Jazzy Jeff (Grammy Award Winning Producer/DJ & Actor)
Sha Money XL, (Former General Manager of G-Unit Records)
Big Daddy Kane (Legendary Rapper)
DMC (Run DMC)
Danielle Price (SVP, Business & Legal, 10k Projects)
Wendy Day (Founder of Rap Coalition)
Jasmine "Jazz" Young (Former General Manager of DMXs Bloodline Records and Def Jam Executive)
Tobin Costin (Former General Manager of No Limit Records and Me and Mine Entertainment)
Dr. Logan Westbrooks (Founder of Source Records, CoFounder of Soul Train Records, Former Columbia Records Executive)
Jocelyn Cooper (Co-Founder of AfroPunk & Former VP of A&R Universal Records)
Steve Rifkind (Founder of Loud Records, SRC Records)
Dave Mays (Founder of the Source Magazine)
Bill Stephney (Former General Manager of Def Jam)....and many, many more!
We invite you to be part of history!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Share this update!
About This Team
Jamison Antoine
A veteran of the entertainment and advertising industries, Jamison's experience includes leadership roles at Warner Music Group, Sprinklr, 360i Digital Marketing, and Universal Music Group.
He has been integral in developing strategies for a wide range of products and services from music to motor oil. This includes launching the social media communities for National Car Rental and the beloved toy brand, Hot Wheels. Jamison’s diverse experiences equip him with a sense of resourcefulness and compassion that appears in each client interaction.
Jamison is a graduate of the Media Management MBA program at the Metropolitan College of New York. He earned his bachelor's degree in Advertising from the University of South Florida. His experience is augmented with business certifications from New York University, Harvard Extension School Facebook Blueprint, Google Analytics, and Twitter Flight School.
Jamison’s thought leadership has been featured in Inc.com, The IndustryPlug.com, and SoundCtrl. He is also the author of "The C.O.M.B.: Journey of a Hip Hopper Turned Globe Trotter"
Andre Howard
Andre was recently selected as one of Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players 2021.
His career began in the A&R department of Def Jam before segueing into artist management working for Family Tree Entertainment & Violator alongside artists like Missy Elliott, Pharoahe Monch, Busta Rhymes, Fantasis and many more. He then founded his own agency (The Media Music Inc.) with a focus on helping artist management & marketing teams. During this time, he worked with Shady/Aftermath, Reebok/RBK, ESPN Games, HBO, and more, seeking product placement, synch/licensing opportunities, producing & distributing music, etc.
Andre later returned to Universal Music working in eCommerce doing metadata management - which led him to Republic Records where he became an in-house Product Manager for the label’s visual projects. A highlight was working on Jack Johnson's “From Here To Now To You” which became the first “visual” album of its kind. Andre recently led digital efforts at eOne where he worked on a multitude of projects including Brandy’s recent album “b7”, which debuted at the top of the Billboard Indy charts.
Currently, as VP, Digital + Commerce at ADA/WMG, Andre provides ADA partners with expertise and guidance to build their digital marketing narrative(s) and ultimately drive a larger volume of fan acquisition, discovery, engagement, and streaming. He also works hand-in-hand with the Warner Music commercial teams and alongside streaming partners to present the label's Hip-Hop & R&B repertoire and position ADA as best-in-class in a genre that’s dominating pop culture.
Recently, Andre served as Associate Producer, working alongside Kanye "Ye" West, The Game, Wack 100 & Mack Lawrence on the creation of their official animated video for their collaboration, "Eazy".
Current Team
Incentives
- The Story
- Wishlist
- Updates
- The Team
- Community
Mission Statement
The Story
Who are we?
We have over 40 years of experience in the entertainment business working with some of the biggest names in music…including JAY Z, 50 Cent, Outkast, Missy Elliott, Kevin Liles, Lyor Cohen, Julie Greenwald, etc. So far, we've interviewed over 30 guests on location in New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago over the past two years. We've dedicated nights, weekends, early mornings, and a significant amount of our own money to get to this point.
Why This Story, Why Now?
With the resurgence of the music business driven by the popularity of urban music on platforms like Spotify, the profile of top artists may give the illusion that music is an inclusive business, but the numbers at the top tell a different story.
Although the music industry is centered on and profits from urban music and Black artists, only 4.2% of the top executives are Black, and less than 14% are women. (USC Annenberg School study conducted in 2021)
Historically, whether it was Black Swan or Motown Records, Black executives and creatives started their labels to advance and have their voices heard.
The Foundation
Pioneers like Berry Gordy (Motown Records), Kenny Gamble & Leon Huff (Philly International Records), and Sylvia Robinson (Sugar Hill Records) created the blueprint for Black-owned record labels. Their success gave way to a new breed of entrepreneurs who expanded from music into film, advertising, apparel, and sports.
As executives ourselves, we want to tell the stories of the unheard and unknown. It’s time to recognize the men and women who served as cornerstones behind this multi-billion-dollar industry.
Our Creative Approach
We want you as the viewer to feel as if you were having a conversation with an old friend or mentor because that's who many of these individuals are to us.
Imagine, sitting in DJ Jazzy Jeff's studio listening to unreleased music; DMC (RUN DMC) sharing never told before stories about life on the road, or hanging out with Master P's right-hand man from the comfort of your home.
To reinforce this feeling we often shoot at the homes and personal studios where the magic happens primarily using the Cannon C70 and Zoom recordings for authenticity.
We are intentional about telling this story with the level of gravity it deserves while steering clear of well-tread topics of beefs and rivalries. This allows our subjects to open up about the inner workings of the music business while sharing wildly engaging stories and the bold steps they took to make it.
So Where's the Money Going...
With your contribution, we plan to interview more subjects in Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles, then begin our post-production process this summer. This will include licensing archival footage and imagery to make the story come together.
How Else Can I Help?
Beyond your financial contribution you can also:
1. Share the link to this project with five friends.
2. Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our YouTube channel, Lowenburg Productions.
3. Tag and mention your favorite video streaming platforms on social media and let them know about the project.
Stretch Goals
Once we exceed our initial goal of $20,000 we will use the additional resources for music licensing and submissions for key festivals in 2023 in time for the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop!
Distribution
We will distribute the film independently with the goal of partnering with a major streaming platform (Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon, Peacock, etc.)
A Who's Who of Industry Insiders
Here's a shortlist of the esteemed artists and executives who have shared their stories to date.
Dr. Michael Eric Dyson (author of "Born to Use Mics", "Jay-Z: Made In America", "Holler If You Hear Me")
Dina LaPolt (LaPolt Law Firm)
DJ Jazzy Jeff (Grammy Award Winning Producer/DJ & Actor)
Sha Money XL, (Former General Manager of G-Unit Records)
Big Daddy Kane (Legendary Rapper)
DMC (Run DMC)
Danielle Price (SVP, Business & Legal, 10k Projects)
Wendy Day (Founder of Rap Coalition)
Jasmine "Jazz" Young (Former General Manager of DMXs Bloodline Records and Def Jam Executive)
Tobin Costin (Former General Manager of No Limit Records and Me and Mine Entertainment)
Dr. Logan Westbrooks (Founder of Source Records, CoFounder of Soul Train Records, Former Columbia Records Executive)
Jocelyn Cooper (Co-Founder of AfroPunk & Former VP of A&R Universal Records)
Steve Rifkind (Founder of Loud Records, SRC Records)
Dave Mays (Founder of the Source Magazine)
Bill Stephney (Former General Manager of Def Jam)....and many, many more!
We invite you to be part of history!
Wishlist
Use the WishList to Pledge cash and Loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an Incentive directly.
Share this update!
About This Team
Jamison Antoine
A veteran of the entertainment and advertising industries, Jamison's experience includes leadership roles at Warner Music Group, Sprinklr, 360i Digital Marketing, and Universal Music Group.
He has been integral in developing strategies for a wide range of products and services from music to motor oil. This includes launching the social media communities for National Car Rental and the beloved toy brand, Hot Wheels. Jamison’s diverse experiences equip him with a sense of resourcefulness and compassion that appears in each client interaction.
Jamison is a graduate of the Media Management MBA program at the Metropolitan College of New York. He earned his bachelor's degree in Advertising from the University of South Florida. His experience is augmented with business certifications from New York University, Harvard Extension School Facebook Blueprint, Google Analytics, and Twitter Flight School.
Jamison’s thought leadership has been featured in Inc.com, The IndustryPlug.com, and SoundCtrl. He is also the author of "The C.O.M.B.: Journey of a Hip Hopper Turned Globe Trotter"
Andre Howard
Andre was recently selected as one of Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players 2021.
His career began in the A&R department of Def Jam before segueing into artist management working for Family Tree Entertainment & Violator alongside artists like Missy Elliott, Pharoahe Monch, Busta Rhymes, Fantasis and many more. He then founded his own agency (The Media Music Inc.) with a focus on helping artist management & marketing teams. During this time, he worked with Shady/Aftermath, Reebok/RBK, ESPN Games, HBO, and more, seeking product placement, synch/licensing opportunities, producing & distributing music, etc.
Andre later returned to Universal Music working in eCommerce doing metadata management - which led him to Republic Records where he became an in-house Product Manager for the label’s visual projects. A highlight was working on Jack Johnson's “From Here To Now To You” which became the first “visual” album of its kind. Andre recently led digital efforts at eOne where he worked on a multitude of projects including Brandy’s recent album “b7”, which debuted at the top of the Billboard Indy charts.
Currently, as VP, Digital + Commerce at ADA/WMG, Andre provides ADA partners with expertise and guidance to build their digital marketing narrative(s) and ultimately drive a larger volume of fan acquisition, discovery, engagement, and streaming. He also works hand-in-hand with the Warner Music commercial teams and alongside streaming partners to present the label's Hip-Hop & R&B repertoire and position ADA as best-in-class in a genre that’s dominating pop culture.
Recently, Andre served as Associate Producer, working alongside Kanye "Ye" West, The Game, Wack 100 & Mack Lawrence on the creation of their official animated video for their collaboration, "Eazy".