By Jade Boone, Howard University News Service
Universal Music Group has announced that Ethiopia Habtemariam, who has served as President of Motown since 2014, has been promoted to Chairman and CEO of the company. She will now be reporting directly to UMG Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge.
With the promotion Habtemariam has received, Motown will have, “greater creative and commercial independence to advance its mission of artistic, social and entrepreneurial empowerment,” according to the announcement.
Habtemariam said, “It’s an incredible honor to represent and define what Motown is today.
During her time at Motown, Habtemariam oversaw the label’s relocation from Los Angeles from New York in 2014.
Under her management, Motown continuously produces artist development and partnerships along with entrepreneurial entities like Quality Control Music. The partnership between Motown and QC has produced well known hits from artists like Lil Baby, The City Girls, and Migos just to name a few.
Motown also has a partnership with Blacksmith Records.
Motown Records was founded in 1959 by Berry Gordon, which created an outlet and worldwide platform that supported Black creative entrepreneurship.
For over 60 years Motown Records has been the foundation for supporting Black entrepreneurs worldwide, allowing them to introduce legendary artists who have an impact on the world. These include Another Bad Creation, Ashanti, Boyz II Men, Brian McKnight, DeBarge, India Arie, Queen Latifah, Michael Jackson, Michael McDonald, Marvin Gaye, Rick James, The Commodores, The Jackson Five, The Supremes, The Temptations and Zhané.
