NEW BOOK FROM VETERAN MEDIA LEADER, ANGELO ELLERBEE, PRE-ORDER NOW!
The fourth in a series of motivational books, containing a foreword from Grammy Legend/Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Dionne Warwick.
By Gary Johnson – (Publisher, Black Men In America.com)
Where do I start? How about with a definitive honest and empirical statement? Angelo Ellerbee is an institution! Period. Paragraph. End of Sentence. Don’t believe me? Check out my exclusive conversation with the “Sultan of SWAG” below.
The public relations maverick has worked with and guided the careers of icons and ingenues, legends and leading actors and he has built a legacy that continues to flourish decades after he began. The Newark, NJ native, who began his stellar career working in the fashion industry–designing, styling and hosting shows as fundraisers to combat the global issue of HIV/AIDS–soon found himself in the world of publicity and artist relations, working with the late, great James Mtume, super producer and jazz impresario. Ellerbee oversaw the stable of artists on the music great’s entertainment company roster and soon became the talk of the industry because of his meticulous sense of style and pristine attention to detail.
In 1985, Angelo Ellerbee founded Double XXposure Public Relations, working with artists and record labels to champion the careers of such luminaries as Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Dionne Warwick, Roberta Flack, and reggae giants like Shabba Ranks and Patra, while also shaping the careers of supermodels and burgeoning business titans and industry leaders. But the thing that caught the attention of everyone in the music industry was that Angelo Ellerbee had a keen sense of artist development, a component of the music industry that had helped to establish artists of the Motown era especially (but an essential part of most labels) that had slowly disappeared in the ever-changing landscape of music. Ellerbee grounded artists in everything from interviewing skills to table etiquette, mindful that some would quickly move from tables in their own homes to being before presidents of commerce and countries. Angelo’s finishing school mode of operation made him the go-to guy for young artists starting their careers and established artists who were looking to remain relevant and ready for music events and television opportunities that had not previously presented themselves. They all found their way to Angelo Ellerbee and in Angelo Ellerbee they found a media maven who helped to shape and reshape their style, their image, and their destiny! While continuing to serve as CEO of his flagship enterprise, Ellerbee also went on to serve as Senior VP of Publicity for Island Def Jam Records, where he brought R&B super-group Dru Hill, music legend Mr. Biggs aka Ronald Isley of the legendary Isley Brothers, and gospel superstar Karen Clark Sheard to prominence. Double XXposure managed such major talents as sex symbol/singer Ginuwine, pop superstar Laura Branigan and rap icon DMX. Ellerbee took the helm of DMX’s career, serving as President and General Manager of rap superstar’s Bloodline Records.
Under his leadership, Ellerbee cultivated the Def Jam imprint into a full-fledged recording company. In addition, he managed the multi-platinum recording artist himself, as he collected more than 22 million record sales in his global tallies.
Never one to settle or sit on his laurels, Ellerbee has continued to expand his presence in media, writing 3 best-selling books WHAT’S YOUR EXCUSE?, ASK ANGELO (46 Years of Industry Excellence) and his latest tome THE SENSE OF SUCCESS, where his no-nonsense style helps the readers tackle difficult shifts and struggles in their quest for success). He continues to work in television, partnering with BET Networks to produce 4 shows, including Harlem Hall of Fame, which will honor and celebrate the culture of the renown hamlet and such Harlem heroes as the original Black sex symbol, actor Billy Dee Williams, Congressman Charles Rangel, fashion maverick Audrey Smaltz, leading lady of Hollywood Leslie Uggams and music’s buoyant bad boy for life, producer/recording artist/fashion mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs. Ellerbee also works passionately with the LGBTQ community, having served as Chairman of the Board of NYC’s Gay Men of African Descent (GMAD) and working with Unity Fellowship Church Movement on their 35th Anniversary Gala under the leadership of Archbishop Carl Bean, who recorded “Born This Way” during his own stellar career at Motown Records.
Angelo Ellerbee continues to build careers and champion new voices, from authors and entrepreneurs, giants in music, politics and business. He uses his own voice and his vision to mold people and projects into their best presentation so that the world can see that greatness is achievable. Angelo Ellerbee’s commanding presence and his uncompromising commitment to excellence ensures that his clients are seen in their brightest light to the world. Ellerbee moves and motivates those who work with him to see themselves in all their true excellence. He has been touted as The Henry Higgins of Hip-Hop and The Angel of Artist Development.
When it’s all said and done, Angelo Ellerbee is a champion of talent who has used his immeasurable gifts to change the landscape of music, television and entertainment. Angelo Ellerbee is the Sultan of Swag and his capacity to transform and translate the culture has made him an industry giant for decades, and he’s still standing. That’s what institutions do!
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Thanks to Kevin Goins, (newgroovesradio@gmail.com) for help in arranging this interview and feature.
Check out our first exclusive interview with Angel Ellerbee in January 2023.
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