Kedar Massenburg
William "Kedar" Massenburg is an American record producer and record label executive, who was the president of Motown Records from 1997 to 2004. Massenburg is best known for bringing Erykah Badu to fame. He trademarked the term "neo soul."
Massenburg is the founder, president and CEO of Kedar Entertainment.
Early life and education
William "Kedar" Massenburg was born in 1963. Massenburg is a 1981 graduate of Erasmus Hall High School in Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York City, New York and a 1986 graduate of Central State University in Wilberforce, Greene County, Ohio.
Career
After college, Massenburg spent several years in marketing positions, including two years as a district manager for Pepsico (maker of Pepsi Cola), and a year with SmithKline Beecham Clinical Labs Pharmaceuticals.
In 1995, he established Kedar Entertainment, originating out of his New York home, with a $1,700 outlay from his own pocket and consisted of a desk set, fax machine, copier, and portable phone. He became President and CEO. Involved in artist management, he directed the career of the pioneering rap group Stetsasonic for a time.
