The Author: Leroy McMath

Leroy McMath’s Atlanta-based Power Entertainment Group originated in Saginaw, Michigan in 1986. McMath had a vision for and an interest in the music industry and launched his idea by way of a progressive dance club called “The Scene.” The club garnered a statewide reputation as a starting ground for rising talent. When McMath booked the group Ready for the World in his club, his innate talent as a promoter and producer surfaced. McMath invested his personal savings and took the young group under his wing.

The many talented R&B and rap artists surrounding him led the way to McMath launching Rolls Voice Records and signing a slate of artists. The roster included MC Breed, DFC, Gangsta Pat, and the S’Kool Girlz.This early label grew into Power Entertainment Group and McMath entered into a distribution deal with Atlanta-based Ichiban Records. Through Ichiban, Breed a star and selling 1,000,000 copies of what is now a rap classic. Power’s roster expanded with the addition of Spice-1 on Triad Records. The artist was subsequently signed to Jive Records and released three gold recordings in succession.

Power’s reputation continued to grow as an independent that was closely watched by the majors. The company entered into a label deal with Assault/Atlantic Records and issued the debut recording by DFC. The album was met with impressive success, selling over 400,000 copies and climbing to #7 on the Billboard R&B Albums Chart. The label boasted a diverse roster of rap and R&B artists, including veteran rapper MC Breed and R&B diva Cherrelle. Since its inception, Power Entertainment’s artists have graced the Billboard charts and have collectively sold millions of records.In 1997, the hit single “Da Dip,” by Freak Nasty, sold over a million copies, was nominated for Best Dance Video by MTV, and stayed on Billboard’s Top Singles chart for 56 weeks. This huge chart and sales success helped to place Power Entertainment among the nation’s top independent labels.

As an independent, Power Entertainment continued to release successful recordings. In addition to “Da Dip,” McMath had success with new music by multi-million seller 12 Gauge (“Dunkie Butt”) as well as albums by The Hard with the release of “Dollar,” starring rapper MC Breed, newcomer Shannon Greer, comedian/radio personality Ryan Cameron and comedian Bruce Bruce. Later releases included “Deep in the Game” and “Rap: The Movie.” “Dollar” shipped over 10,000 in video with no DVD release to rental and retail outlets. Today, McMath continues to keep his hand in several different projects “Walter,” a weekly series that aired on the Fox Network and the soon to be released “The Game.”

McMath has quietly earned his stripes, often as a behind-the-scenes mastermind in support of the talent he recognizes. He reveals his story in “The Music Game: Playing to Win.”In a greedy, money-driven, double-crossing business, McMath exposes the rites of passage necessary to survive in the entertainment industry. He shares both his mistakes and his victories, providing a wealth of information for any newcomer to the industry.