You bob your head to their beats, pay to see the artists in concert and grew up on their musical influence. We love them for what they do behind-the-scenes of your favorite songs and artists.

They might not be in the spotlight of the music industry, but have shined off-stage with their talent. In celebration of Black Music Month, here are a few music moguls who have made a name for themselves in the background of the music industry.

via Facebook

Bernard Belle

As the brother of R&B singer Regina Belle, producer and songwriter Bernard Belle got his start as an R&B guitarist behind the group The Manhattans. After his beginnings, Belle went on to produce and write music with Teddy Riley in the mid to late 1980s, credited with co-writing Michael Jackson’s “Remember The Time” and soon became one of the production pioneers of the New Jack Swing music era of the 1990s, producing and writing for Al B. Sure, Whitney Houston, Patti Labelle and many others.

Instagram

By now, we all know that “Pass or Play” game is totally subjective based on everyone’s own musical taste and ear. However, if you can’t find something awesome about this song, I have to side eye you.

While some artists are creating their own drama for attention, super producer and artist Pharrell Williams has quietly been diversifying his entertainment portfolio. In 2010, he composed the soundtrack for Despicable Me and last year, he was co-produced and co-composed the music for the 84th Annual Academy Awards. He also came up with the theme music for Chelsea Lately last year.

Well, he’s back as soundtrack composer, this time for Despicable Me 2. While there have been snippets of a few songs released, Pharrell released one of the songs, “Happy,” where he is the artist on the song.

“Happy” is an upbeat, feel good song that boasts a message of never letting anyone bring you down no matter how hard they try:

“…I’m a hot air balloon that can go to space/With the air like I don’t care baby by the way/Because I’m Happy (clap along if you feel like a room without a roof)/ Because I’m Happy (clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth)/Because I’m Happy (clap along if you know what happiness is to you)/ Because I’m Happy (clap along if you feel like that’s what you wanna do)…”

Pharrell has never been known for his “vocal prowess” but his unique sound is perfect for this song and we all know he knows how to arrange a song like nobody’s business. It has a throwback feel with all the claps on the breakdown but still sounds current.

Personally, this song makes me want to go see Despicable Me 2 just to see if they actually place it in the film and if they’ll be a dance routine.

Okay, enough of my personal opinions! Listen to “Happy” and tell us what you think!

This season of Home Savvy, we’re bringing our viewers behind the scenes footage/pictures for each new episode. In our special casting episode, 4 lucky finalists competed in our final casting challenge that took place at The Home Depot. Take a look at some cool pictures of the crew and you can even watch their full 2:00 demonstrations that they performed in front of a live panel of judges.

 Home Savvy Branded Cards for the Judges

Director of Photography Bryon Summers framing his shot

Home Savvy Producer Raven Carter getting camera ready

Finalist Aliah Davis-McHenry posing for the camera

Makeup artist Mimi Kamara putting the finishing touches on finalist Sherie Graves

Homer Woody Simeon getting camera ready by makeup artist Kimberly Wynn

For the full 2:00 demonstrations from each finalists, click on the links below:

Finalist #1 – Aliah Davis McHenry | The Savvy Search for a New Host – Home Savvy

Finalist #2 – Sherie Graves | The Savvy Search for a New Host – Home Savvy

Finalist #3 – Patrice J. Williams | The Savvy Search for a New Host – Home Savvy

Finalist #4 - Brandhyze Stanley | The Savvy Search for a New Host – Home Savvy

WANT MORE HOME SAVVY? WATCH THESE EPISODES:

SEASON 3

• The Savvy Search for a New Host
• Episode 1: Style Your Home With a Summer Window Box 

SEASON 2

• Episode 1: How to Install a Bathroom Vanity
• Episode 2: How to Install a Bathroom Faucet
• Episode 3: How to Save Money on Your Home Energy Bills
• Episode 4: Home Decor Tips
• Episode 5: How To Decorate For The Holidays
• Episode 6: How to Light Your Home For The Holidays

SEASON 1

• Episode 1: Creating a Container Garden
• Episode 2: How to Grow Vegetables at Home
• Episode 3: Interior Painting
• Episode 4: Closet Makeover
• Episode 5: Kitchen Backsplash

Brandhyze Stanley is an NYC based actress/on-camera host.  She is currently a How-To Instructor for the popular site, eHow and a freelance fashion writer and video journalist for Newsday Westchester. In addition to this, she is also a hosting instructor at TVI Actors Studio in NYC and the resident DIY girl at Mood Fabrics.

WANT MORE HOME SAVVY? WATCH THESE EPISODES:

• SEASON 3
  • The Savvy Search for a New Host
  • Episode 1: Style Your Home With a Summer Window Box 

  SEASON 2

  • Episode 1: How to Install a Bathroom Vanity
  • Episode 2: How to Install a Bathroom Faucet
  • Episode 3: How to Save Money on Your Home Energy Bills
  • Episode 4: Home Decor Tips
  • Episode 5: How To Decorate For The Holidays
  • Episode 6: How to Light Your Home For The Holidays

  SEASON 1

  • Episode 1: Creating a Container Garden
  • Episode 2: How to Grow Vegetables at Home
  • Episode 3: Interior Painting
  • Episode 4: Closet Makeover
  • Episode 5: Kitchen Backsplash

Sooooo adorable! This little lady took some time out from her regular routine of watching cartoons to show some love to Michael Jackson. MJ was a good friend to her famous producer father, and the two worked on his album, Invincible, churning out bangers like “You Rock My World” together. This tot’s famous pops is also well-known for working with folks like Brandy, and was behind most of the tracks on her classic Never Say Never album. He’s made endless hits for folks like Whitney Houston, Destiny’s Child, Toni Braxton, Lady Gaga and more. He was given the post of VP of A&R for Island Def Jam back in 2006, and currently, while still working with big names like Alicia Keys, Ciara, and Justin Bieber, the famed producer has his hand in gospel music as well, starting his own independent gospel music label. Through the label, he was able to release his wife’s music–the mother of this firestarter. So who does this cutie patootie belong to? You’ll never guess…

Source: Instagram

During the reunion for the fourth season of the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” Kandi let it slip that she had a new man in her life and that he was one of the producers of the show. Immediately I wondered how that whole situation would play out on the next season of the show, if at all. As in, would her producer boo now all of a sudden be both in front of and behind the cameras or was she going to peace out on the franchise altogether?

Well in an interview with The Huffington Post, Kandi said she had those same questions when her new relationship first got rolling, but the choice, should she have had to choose, would have been a no-brainer.

“Everything in my life seems to be new right now,” she told the Post. “It was a lot at one time. I guess we kind of revealed it on the reunion special that I was in a relationship, and actually I started dating someone who worked for the company that produces our show. He’s a line producer, and his name is Todd.

“It’s kind of weird, because at first we kind of thought maybe this was going to be one of those things where maybe I’d have to choose either being on the show or my relationship with him. And we chose love. [Laughs.] I know that sounds sort of corny, but we chose our relationship over everything, and it ended up working out, so on the show you see us moving forward, moving into a new home and everything that comes along with that. Everything is new! My whole life feels new right now.”

New and fast since it wasn’t that long ago that she and Todd hooked up. But in case you’re thinking this is just a twist to spruce up her story line, let Kandi correct that for you. When the post asked her if her relationship is the real deal, she said:

“Oh, most definitely. You know sometimes you have to just say, “What’s more important?” We dated for a while, and at first it was secret and we didn’t tell anybody, then finally we just got to the point where we really didn’t care. The only person that I’d really talked to about it was Phaedra, but other than that, nobody really knew for sure. People kind of tried to guess, or to think they knew what was going on, but not really.”

I’m sure there will be a lot more guessing to come when we watch Kandi and Todd interact this season. Luckily we don’t have long too much longer to wait. The new season kicks off Sunday night.

Check out more of her interview here.

Do you think choosing her man over RHOA would have been a smart choice for Kandi?

By Makula Dunbar

Even via phone, it’s easy to sense that Tracy Christian is a tough cookie. Very assertive and straightforward, more than anything Christian means business — preferably the advancement of her own. Founder of TCA Jed Root, it was less than a year ago that she and former client Jed Root joined forces to launch the agency.

A Hollywood based talent agency, through the partnership — officially launched in January of this year — Christian expanded her largely all-actor roster to include producers. Prior to TCA Jed Root Christian worked as an agent at Don Buchwald & Associates. Maneuvering her way through the entertainment industry, Christian’s first stab at entrepreneurship came by way of owning a modeling agency.

Moving Past Modeling

“It was like the slushiest modeling agency around. We did car shows, boat shows and things like that,” said Christian.

Not very far into the business it was during her grandmother’s 100th birthday party toast that she realized she wanted to change her career path. Surrounded by cousins and family — one member a doctor, one owner of a fish market and another a lawyer — Christian was motivated to move forward in a slightly different direction.

“I felt very sleazy working in that end of the industry. Basically everyday I was on the phone convincing middle management to buy attractive women and it felt very empty. I wanted to do something that offered more value,” she said.

Through several friends that worked in the entertainment industry Christian was able to break out of behind-the-scenes model representation, switching over to talent. Networking and setting up meetings, Christian landed a job at a talent agency called Peter Strain & Associates.

“It was very small which I liked, because I felt like here I would be able to learn everything there is to know about the business — and I wouldn’t just be in one department,” Christian said.

Starting off as an assistant she was quickly promoted. Soon after she delved into music seeking out alternate business ventures that artists expressed interest in.

“People saw that I wasn’t at a big fancy place, but I was a person that got things done. If I was out to dinner with Nelly and his manager and Nelly said he wanted to get into movies, the next day I went and worked on that,” she said. “I think a lot of other agents didn’t have that kind of response, so that helped me a lot.”

The Business of Talent

In the short months that TCA Jed Root has been in operation, Christian and her team have managed to sell a number of television shows, one of their clients being Mona Scott-Young, the creator of VH1’s “Love & Hip-Hop.” Music industry maven and “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star, Kandi Burruss has also partnered with the agency to produce “The Kandi factory,” which airs on Bravo. Helping to Score bigger (movie) roles for TV actors like Jamie Hector from “The Wire” is also something Christian was proud to mention.

“In the past months we’ve done very well. We also represent a select number of beauty bloggers. We’ve been able to come out with product lines for those bloggers so we think that’s going to go pretty well too,” she added.

Fortunate enough for Christian she admits to being spoiled in her career saying that during its span she’s been able to represent people that she wants to — not necessarily ones that she has to. After watching the work of Michael Kenneth Williams and Hector, Christian said she was moved. They exuded the wow factor and potential that TCA Jed Root looks for in every client.

“I thought, ‘These guys are brilliant and I had a plan for them.’ It wasn’t just, ‘I should represent these people, because they can make me a lot of money.’ I knew what could be done for them and I wanted to be the one to do it,” Christian said.

From EurWeb.com

Riding high as a box office success, “Think Like A Man,” the film adaptation of Steve Harvey’s “Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man: What Men Really Think About Love, Relationships, Intimacy, and Commitment” is not short on ingredients for something worth talking about.

While having an all-star cast (Kevin Hart, Megan Good, Michael Ealy, Regina Hall, Terrence J, Taraji P. Henson, Romany Malco, Gabrielle Union, Jerry Ferrara, Jennifer Lewis and Gary Owen) is comforting, it’s equally fulfilling to have a not so hidden asset make himself known in a memorable way. Such is the case with Producer Will Packer, who also did duty in front of the camera by trading lines with Hart for a particular bathroom scene.

“I really literally did not have an actor for that scene,” Packer confessed to EURweb’s Lee Bailey. “And Kev didn’t know who was gonna be in the scene with (him) until literally right before we shot it. He was like ‘Wait a minute. Hold on. Let me get this straight. You’re taking a job from a working actor?’ He gave me a hard time. He gave me s*** is what he gave me. But it was fun. It was me getting a chance to just have fun.”

Packer’s appearance in the film marks his latest on camera foray. The Rainforest Films co-founder previously appeared in the 2000 romantic thriller “Trois.”  While he enjoyed his screen time, don’t expect Packer to follow in the footsteps of Spike Lee with his onscreen face time equaling his time on the other side of the film camera.

“Spike does it on a big level. He’s a real character in his films,” said Packer of his onscreen face time. “I have on several of my films done a little sneak here and there. This one is probably the most … it’s the biggest cameo I’ve had since “Trois.”

For the complete story, visit EurWeb.com.

Source: suitdistracted.tumblr.com

Producer, composer, fashion designer, art enthusiast. Pharrell Williams is a little bit of everything, including hot stuff. He’s been doing big things since he helped write Teddy Riley’s verse on the epic track, “Rump Shaker.” He’s even found a way to help design accessories for Louis Vuitton, on top of heading his popular brand, Billionaire Boys Club, and still making the hottest tracks for anybody who is…anybody (he even composed the music for Despicable Me for goodness’ sakes!). He’s my boo, and I thought I’d share his awesome-ness with you. Enjoy!

Source: The Quest For It

I know, just what we need, another “American Idol,” “The Voice,” X Factor” type of show, but with the queen behind this series it could be great. Despite the number of music competition shows currently on TV, millions of viewers continue to tune in every week to watch their favorite girl next door compete to launch a singing career, and Queen Latifah is about to cash in on that opportunity.

Partnering with David Broome, Executive Producer and Creative Director of “The Biggest Loser, Queen Latifah will produce a new show titled “The Star Next Door.” The CW has already ordered 10 episodes of the series which will feature Gloria Estefan and country music star John Rich on a nationwide search to find new talent. They will also act as mentors to potential artists who will immerse themselves in the lives of these performers.

The show sounds a lot like what’s already out there so it’s not clear what this competition’s niche will be, but the queen probably has something up her sleeve. In the meantime, she also has plenty of other Flavor Unit projects to keep her busy, like “Single Ladies” and her own daytime talk show which should debut next year.

Will you check out “The Star Next Door” or are you over these types of shows?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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