Today we’d like to introduce you to Tabari Sturdivant.
Tabari has always had very strong creative influences in his life. Growing up in East Orange, New Jersey in the 1980s, there was never a dull moment in his neighborhood. Tabari was born to Linda Sturdivant, a Microbiologist, and single mom. She kept Tabari busy in all types of activities throughout his childhood. If Tabari was not in school, he was in summer camp, choir practice, playing football, basketball or at track meets. He attributes his competitive nature to those days on the football fields and basketball courts of his adolescence.
While attending Rider University in Lawrenceville, NJ on a track & field scholarship, Tabari was extremely involved in campus life. He was the President of the Black Student Union, Chairperson of the Student Entertainment Council, DJ on Rider’s college radio station and Homecoming King his senior year. During his junior year, after establishing a relationship with Jermaine Dupri through a childhood friend, he began to do college and street promotions for SoSo Def. This was his first taste of the Entertainment industry; an experience which inspired him to garner new relationships and plan his career path.
After graduation in 1995, Tabari began to intern for Dupri’s father, Michael Mauldin, who was the President of Columbia Records at that time. He also befriended a local area rapper named Wyclef Jean of the Fugees, who allowed him to attend studio sessions and travel on tour with the group. This was a very interesting time for Tabari because the Fugees were signed to Columbia Records and later went on to sell 22 million copies of their CD. He was able to see the creative process of making a CD and the day-to-day business being handled at the office.
In January 1996, while interning for Jocelyn Cooper (Executive Vice President) & Dino Delvaille (Director of A&R) at Universal Records, he was hired by Jean Riggins (President of Black Music) as an assistant. Tabari was directly involved with a day-to-day business with acts such as The Lost Boys (Gold), Crucial Conflict (Gold), Canibus (Gold), Rakim (Double Platinum) and Cash Money Records (Multi-Platinum). As time moved on, Tabari wanted to focus on signing acts and making records, so he took a job at Jive records in April of 1998 as the Manager of their A&R department. He was the A&R for UGK (2 gold CDs), Too Short (2 gold CDs) and E-40. In addition, he signed the critically acclaimed artist Petey Pablo to Jive, whose CD went Platinum and was nominated for a Grammy. He also worked with Britney Spears, R. Kelly, Mystical, NSYC, Backstreet Boys, and many others.
In January 2002, Tabari was wooed back to Universal/Motown records to take on the position of Director of A&R. He was the Universal Records A&R for both The New No Limit and Bad Boy Records during his time there. However, he realized he wanted to take a break from the corporate structure and explore other opportunities. He decided to use his talent, experience, and relationships to crossover into Film and Television. In 2008, Tabari has presented the chance to work the grand opening of Tyler Perry Studios, and it turned out to be an awesome opportunity. Soon after, Roger Bobb (Sr. VP / Producer) of Tyler Perry Studios hired him as a Production Assistant on House of Payne and Meet the Browns. Tabari has since worked on over 300 television shows and 6 movies. In 2010 he was called on to be one of Tyler Perry’s Executive Assistants. During his shift, Tyler Perry did a national tour of Madea’s BIG Happy Family (Play) and the movies For Colored Girls and Madea’s BIG Happy Family.
After learning the amazing infrastructure at Tyler Perry Studios, Tabari started his own company Blue Lion Club Production. He was the Executive Producer & Director of the award-winning independent feature film “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do” starring Demetria McKinney (House of Payne). Tabari inked a Distribution & Television deal with Image Entertainment and had an international release in May 2011. In July 2012, The Blue Lion Club embarked on their sophomore feature film the award-winning “Probable Cause” starring Terri J Vaughn (the Steve Harvey Show, Meet the Browns) and Lisa Arrindell Anderson (Meet the Browns – Movie). In January 2011 Tabari started the Behind The Scenes Department at Tyler Perry Studios where he directed and produced content for the new tylerperry.com website, DVD features and future programming. After leaving TPS; Tabari Produced the feature film “First Impression” Starring Lamaan Rucker (Meet The Browns), Lisa Arrindell Anderson (Meet the Browns – Movie), Elise Neal, David & Tamela Mann.
In January of 2013, Tabari was voted Georgia’s Best Independent Filmmaker of 2013 by the Georgia Entertainment Gala. Tabari then moved on to worked in production on the ABC Pilot “Resurrection”. Later in the year, he signed on as the Creative Director at Moguldom Studios, where he produced and directed content for Film / TV. His first release under the Moguldom umbrella is a cutting edge documentary on interracial dating titled the “The Swirl”. While there he gave the creative direction for over 15 documentaries and TV pilots.
Adding to his lengthy resume in 2015, Tabari became the Sr. Director/Producer for the State of Georgia. He worked closely with Governor Nathan Dale and department commissioners to promote the states messaging and social media presence. With tons of entertainment industry experience, Tabari is poised to be Media’s next BIG name.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
To tell you the truth, life was very smooth until my 30th birthday. I was laid off from my A&R gig at Universal Records and left music. Since leaving the music industry as an executive, I fully tapped into my creative side. Being creative for me has been tough at times. Ups/downs and highs/lows. I feel like I never have enough resources to compliment my creative. But these rough roads have made me incredibly sharp. Pressure creates diamonds.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I run two companies. The first is the TABARI brand. Branding myself as a top-level Director/Producer/Content Creator in Atlanta has been interesting. Every day has its separate challenges and rewards.
Secondly, I have recently started Reel Estate Digital. RED provides video content for real estate professionals. Yes, it’s still video, but I get to work with a whole different pool of people. I use some of my same skill sets but in another industry. I really enjoy the work.
I love that my creative provides for me and my family.
I’m one of the most cutting edge people I know, that always reflects in my creative.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
In my earlier years, my answer would strictly be about the monetary. Now, it’s all about happiness and self-love. I’m a happy person and that’s my new bar for success.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.tabari.tv
- Phone: 9735929627
- Email: Mr.Tabari@gmail.com
- Instagram: Tabari.tv
- Facebook: Tabari Sturdivant
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