Community Highlights: Meet Askia Fountain of F.E.G / AMP Music

Today we’d like to introduce you to Askia Fountain.

Hi Askia, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
**“I got my start in entertainment right out of high school, working with my family’s company, M.E.G., which played a key role in one of the most iconic commercials in advertising history—‘Always Coca-Cola.’ That early exposure to brand storytelling and cultural impact set the foundation for everything that followed.

From there, I moved to New York and began working at Def Jam in 2005, which led to roles at Compound Entertainment (with Ne-Yo), Atlantic Records (Nipsey Hussle), and eventually becoming Head of A&R at Mass Appeal,( Nas).

After years of helping develop artists and shape music culture from the inside, I co-founded Connect Music—a distribution platform focused on empowering independent creators.

Now, I Founded Fountain Entertainment Group (FEG). FEG is a full-service multimedia entertainment and brand management company. It’s home to culturally relevant brands like Gracie’s Corner, Learning with Ms. Houston, and AMP Music, our distribution and publishing division.

Across everything I do, the focus is on creativity, ownership, and building scalable ecosystems for artists, educators, and entrepreneurs.”**

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Has it been a smooth road?

Not at all—but every challenge has come with a lesson that’s helped shape who I am today. Like most journeys, mine has had its share of ups and downs, especially in the world of entrepreneurship and entertainment.

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn early on was the importance of putting business before emotions—particularly when it comes to partnerships. I made the mistake of trusting the wrong people and jumping into deals based on friendship or great ideas without first putting the proper agreements in place. When those ventures became successful, I quickly learned how greed and ego can overpower morals and ethics if you don’t protect your vision.

Those hard lessons taught me to lead with integrity, create boundaries, and build smarter, more secure foundations.

But beyond business, one of the most ongoing and meaningful challenges has been balancing family life as a father of two amazing girls Alayna & Brooke. While I’ve spent years building brands, traveling, and putting in long hours, I’ve also had to learn how to show up consistently as a present dad—supporting their goals, dreams, and everyday moments. That kind of balance isn’t easy, especially when your work doesn’t follow a 9-to-5 schedule. But it’s also what grounds me. My daughters are my biggest motivation, and making sure they see what’s possible—while also feeling supported—is one of my greatest responsibilities.

So no, the road hasn’t been smooth—but it’s been full of purpose, growth, and learning at every turn.

As you know, we’re big fans of F.E.G / AMP Music . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Fountain Entertainment Group (FEG) is a full-service multimedia entertainment and brand management company I founded to create a space where creativity, ownership, and culture can thrive. We specialize in music, media, and consumer product development and management—with a strong focus on education, representation, and innovation.

We’re known for building culturally impactful brands from the ground up. Two of our most recognized brands right now are Gracie’s Corner, a family-led, culturally inclusive children’s brand that has gone viral globally, and Learning with Ms. Houston, an educational platform that brings early learning to life in a fun and accessible way.

Our other divisions include AMP Music, which offers distribution and publishing services for independent artists, and Cultureel Stories, where we develop original content and intellectual property across animation, live tours, and digital platforms.

Following the success of our consumer product launches in retail—spanning over 30 product categories and generating more than $30 million in sales—we expanded our brand management division. Recognizing the need for greater representation of minority-owned brands at the retail level, FEG now provides strategic brand guidance, consulting, and marketing expertise to emerging and established brands alike. We leverage deep relationships with retail partners, manufacturers, and licensing networks to help bring culturally resonant products to market.

What sets us apart is our commitment to authenticity and ownership. We don’t just create content—we build ecosystems that allow creators and educators to own their narratives and grow their impact.

I’m most proud of the brands we’ve built that are actually making a difference in people’s lives—especially for Black and Brown families who often don’t see themselves reflected in mainstream media.

If there’s one thing I want readers to know, it’s that FEG is a mission-driven company. Whether it’s music, media, or education, we’re building with purpose with is also the mission behind. www.fountainfoundation.co —and we’re just getting started.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
Some of my favorite childhood memories are rooted in the different places that helped shape me—growing up in Michigan, Chicago, and eventually attending high school in Atlanta. Whether it was playing sports, fishing with family, or spending time with my grandmother, mom, and close friends—those moments gave me a strong foundation and kept me grounded.

One memory that stands out is walking across the street from Muskegon Heights Middle School to sit in my family’s recording studio. Being in that creative space at such a young age—just watching, listening, and absorbing—sparked something in me. I didn’t realize it at the time, but growing up around successful NFL players and music producers cousins planted the seeds for everything I’d later pursue in music, business, and beyond.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.askiafountain.com
• Instagram: @askiaf
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/askia-fountain/
• Twitter: @askiaf
• Other: https://www.ampmusicco.com

Image Credits
shot by @Berlin_photogod