Today we’d like to introduce you to Orlando McGhee.
While working as the Special Assistant to the Chief Operating Officer to the City of Atlanta shortly after college, McGhee found his way into the music industry through an internship with the legendary production trio Organized Noize (ONP). Assisting ONP with a myriad duties right as Dungeon Family began attracting the Hip-Hop business to Atlanta, McGhee had the opportunity to not only learn every facet of the game but to play a hand in developing a legacy that laid the foundation for Atlanta’s music creatives. As the Vice President of BME Recordings, McGhee was instrumental in pushing “Crunk” culture forward and solidifying Lil’ Jon’s place within Hip-Hop history. While working at BME, McGhee also helped to develop artists like Crime Mobb, Lil Scrappy and Trillville whose youthful energy allowed BME to capture a segment of Hip-Hop fans that had been largely ignored until then.
Around the same time, McGhee forayed into the world of management, taking on The Aphilliates – a growing collective founded by DJ Drama, Don Cannon and DJ Sense. His focus on marketing and business development allowed both brands to outgrow their early competitors by leaps and bounds. It was under his guidance that The Aphilliates were not only able to change the mixtape game, establishing Drama’s Gangsta Grilz as the authority in emerging Southern Hip-Hop, but also expanding the brand to satellite and terrestrial radio. Following his run at BME, McGhee was named VP of A&R at Warner Bros Records, where he continued to push for the inclusion and growth of Southern, and specifically Atlanta Hip-Hop, but also signed legendary Bay-Area Rapper E-40.
Still, McGhee’s greatest professional successes have come as an independent. Following his departure from Warner, he launched Seventy 2 Music Consulting, boutique management, marketing and brand development firm. After helping to reestablish of his first clients, Nappy Roots, as a successful independent touring band throughout the Southeast, McGhee took on the Future during the earliest days of his rise to success. Under the guidance of Seventy 2 Music, the Atlanta rapper was catapulted to megastar not only through his own music and strategic partnerships but also through his influence as a songwriter with McGhee signing Metro Boomin to Future’s publishing company. In 2014, McGhee began managing ONP, helping to lead the Atlanta legends to a resurgence in popularity. Capitalizing on the 20th anniversary of their seminal releases – Goodie MOB’s Soul Food and Outkast’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik – McGhee produced the critically acclaimed documentary The Art Of Organized Noize, which served not only to celebrate their legacy but also to announce their return with new music by artists like J. Cole, Janelle Monae, Bleachers, Sza, Big K.R.I.T. and Big Boi. He took a position at Roc Nation as Senior Vice President in 2017 and signed Nicole Bus while operating his successful management/consulting company.
Seventy 2 Music Consulting currently represents producers 30 Roc, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League, Organized Noize, and played an integral role in the development of recent Dreamville/Interscope Records signees EarthGang and J.I.D.
Great, 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?
Lots of bumps in the road, balancing family life while being on the road in meetings and on the phone constantly has its struggles. Other execs taking credit for your work and always trying to poach your clients AFTER you’ve put in the work to help break them through.
Please tell us about ONErpm & Seventy 2 Music.
At ONErpm, I oversee every aspect of the urban business operations from negotiating the deals to sign the acts, direct our marketing, and partner relations teams with building out plans for project releases.
At Seventy 2 Music, we manage the day to day careers of songwriters, producers, and recording artists. Client Future’s 1st #1 “Turn On The Lights,” Producing The Art of Organized Noize documentary, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League’s winning a Grammy Award.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Being awarded Youth of the Year at Joseph B. Whitehead Boy’s & Girl’s Club, traveling to Colorado Springs, Colorado, to train at the Olympic Training Center. Playing snare drum at Carver High and Brown High.
Contact Info:
- Website: seventy2music.com onerpm.com
- Phone: 4045009488
- Email: orlando@onerpm.com
- Instagram: omcghee
Image Credit:
Photo credit: Tiffany Powell
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