Kyle Maxwell’s Scope on: Authentic Empire, Cinematic Music Group & Quality Control | Part 2
Hey everybody, welcome back to Part 2 of my new series called “SCOP3” where I’ll be picking 3 businesses from different industries & giving my scope (or scop3) on their brand, and upcoming opportunities I see for them in the marketplace.
This week’s scope will be on the music industry, featuring prominent labels Cinematic Music Group, Authentic Empire Music Group, and the one and only, Quality Control. Now let’s dive into this!
Authentic Empire - The New Pulse of Atlanta
Authentic Empire Music Group is taking over the city of Atlanta, GA. Packed artist showcases, all-star line up Euro Gotit, GA, Geezy Escobar & more, it’s no doubt in my mind they plan on stopping anytime soon. Foogiano, one of AE’s most notorious artists ( and signed to 1017 Records / Atlantic Records) is arguably the next biggest artist to break from the 678.
If Atlanta is known for anything, it’s the amazing team & support system imbedded in it’s culture, and labels like AE make that statement even more true.
CEO of AE, LaVour Sanders (aka Boomman) is building a one of a kind marketing, promotion, distribution, consulting giant. With over 20 years of industry experience, Boomman has worked with numerous Atlanta acts like Roscoe Dash, Yo Gotti, Waka Flocka Flame, Gucci Mane, and a lot more. LaVour definitely has an ear for great music and talent, but an even better business mind that’ll soon put Authentic Empire to the top.
Is Authentic Empire Just One Record / Moment away?
There’s always been that one big song, or moment that’s been the absolute game changer for record labels, and businesses period. When I look at labels like Quality Control (next weeks topic) and how Migos hit “Versace” took over the country, let alone world — that was their big record.
Then, their big moment was Drake hopping on the remix — and literally changed the Hip-Hop game completely.
Running an indie label myself, (Heart of Music Entertainment) I dream and work every day to get to “that moment” and that’s exactly where I see AE just inches away from. When Foogiano signed his deal with 1017, then when 4PF / Quality Control artist Lil Baby hopping on the remix to hit song “Trapper” that song went off to over 2M views on YouTube and counting, and is still one of Foogiano’s most popular tracks.
The entertainment industry, record labels especially, are all about one thing — Momentum. If I were running Authentic Empire, I’d be putting close to 100% effort & budget to what’s making the most noise. Now, understanding other artists being managed, other music needing to be released, it’s fairly hard to cut everyone short & put focus on just one artist, but if I were to make a judgement from a far, I’d suggest perhaps AE’s focus is a bit ….. well ..all over the place, but in good way.
Authentic needs that big moment, and yes, to get that moment many at bats (records, videos, big features) need to be released to get there, to even have a shot. No doubt all their showcases, money giveaways , and other artists are doing their company very good, especially not being at the mercy of just one artist.
But I’d be lying to myself to not think if just a little more effort was put to Foogiano and his brand, getting that big hit record, leading to more co-signs from bigger labels & artists, would be formula to AE taking over the rap game.
At the end of the day, the company is doing remarkable, very consistent, and continuing in making significant noise in the Atlanta hip-hop scene, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for them in 2021 and many many years to come.
Thank you all for reading! Part 3 to this series is coming very soon:)
