Imperious Entertainment

Make Imperious Your Homepage

You are here: Home

The Incredible Mr. Russ - The Last Man From Uptown ( The Complete Profile) by Gita Bouchamp

Written by Foresight
Thursday, 08 November 2007
Advertisements Gita Bouchamp: I'm running late for an interview with an gentleman who is enjoying a wide and varied career. Ranging from head publicist to Andre Harrell's Uptown Records / Uptown Enterprises, which launched the careers of Heavy D and the boyz; Guy, featuring producing wiz Teddy Riley ( a group that highlighted vocalist Aaron Hall); Al. B. Sure! Kyle Wes Ultramagnetic M.C's; Finesse and Synquis; Groove B. Chill; The Grlyz;Jeff Redd; Father M.C ; Mary J. Blige; Jodeci and Sean " Puff Daddy, Puffy, P.Diddy" Combs; later forming New Origin Communications, an consulting and management company . From producer Hank Shocklee; NFL player's Ty Law, Matthew Hatchette, Santana Moss, Damian Robinson and other's; Kenny Anderson of the NBA; the WNBA's Kym Hampton; icon and fashion model turned model agent Pat Evans; Melba Moore; Rahiem of the legendary Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five; fashion designer and wife Debra Williams ( wife of New York Knick star and later coach Herb Williams ); businessman John Atchinson, owner of The John Atchinson Salon; Alyson Williams; Metro Channel and Cablevision; actor, author, motion picture producer Stanley Bennett Clay and a multitude of other persons and entities . Some to never be mention. How was it working with Andre Harrell, i asked? "Great. I learned. I experienced a lot. Uptown Enterprises was unique. Warner Bro.s; MCA / Universal ; Capital / EMI and Next Plateau . Uptown Enterprises had arrangements for manufacturing and distribution with those companies . I was able to interface with them all. And I did my adds and minuses. What i would do when i built an media company. I left Uptown, actually i told them, not Mr.Harrell, that i was taking a leave of absence." Why? "Some of the staffers left a lot to be desired. And it started to hinder my objectives i had for certain artist. I remember Steve Lucas (Uptown Records / Uptown Enterprises artist manager), whom i respect, saying I should have consulted him on an matter. But it wasn't a situation i felt needed interference . If a company, which i identified, wanted to invest fifty thousand dollars for an ad, and use a particular group, per bono, whom weren't doing well chart wise, lets do it. They get their credit, on air radio exposure, D.J Eddie F. or Kyle West would produce a remix one of their singles to fit the radio ad....that's big. In a major market." He takes another sip of his cappuccino then he say's, " you don't ask for a cut of the ad rate purchasing budget. Work the telephone's and pound the pavement and work a deal. Don't come playing negotiator to to an situation that does not call for negotiation. For an arrangement you didn't foster. Because its easy after the due diligence is done and later an agreement made through and for an particular area of the business, to look like the great facilitator. So, here come the adverse forces. You didn't make it happen. Now you're going to destroy it ?". Advertisements He says he respects and truly likes Andre Harrell and former general manager of Uptown Enterprises Robert Celestin. But he say's there was someone at Uptown Enterprises that was real special. And Sean " P Diddy" Combs didn't disappoint. " He came and is conquering " say's Russ. " I knew there was something special about him. Greatness captivates you. And before he became the hit maker, he commanded you to stare. To take notice of him. You can't fake charisma. And when mixed with an eye for talent, a good ear for music, and the brio to back up any and everything you say. That's greatness." He concludes , "Add marketing skill's into the mix. Music, fashion, motion pictures, television, well .....spotlight your gift's. Put them out on display. People and businesses will benefit from your light on an grand scale. That's genius." Russ should know. As we walk down the streets of lower Manhattan , the people are whirling about, tourists ; the work crowd; the cool crowd: the aspiring actors, the models, agents, managers, photographers, musicians; the shoppers. As we stroll, Russ talks about how he stayed under the radar. And how much he liked it. " When i started New Origin Communications in the early nineties, it was about the client. Not about me. Not about the staff being popular. I never wanted to make myself the issue. Not a physical presence. We have people who accompany the client to meetings, filming's , media situations I like my role. Anonymity is great. " He continues, "My ethnicity; whom i am as a romantic , is not an issue. You don't have to see me. But you will feel me. Feel me? I got that from my pal, James Lisbon (AMAG Online / Awareness Magazine publisher). It's action that's important." "So what's the next groove?" i ask Russ, after taking a sampling of an very good expresso which he got for me from the De Concha shop. So subtle was he, i never knew he ordered himself one, let alone one for me. " The plans are now in place for the new media company. We'll concentrate on finding star's for the music unit. Long form film will be an out growth of the music presentations. I want to leverage as many things as possible Couple the right star with the right song , with the right music flick (video) , which can be long form movie. One of the first priority projects is The Terrance Russ Presents Uptown Music and Vision series. This is an venture i'm executive producer of. Its an arrangement i've made with Uptown Magazine's publisher Jocelyn Taylor and Brett Wright, the president and founder of the magazine" Advertisements As we stroll into the busy 59 and Columbus Circle entrance of Central Park, i tell him this sounds extremely exciting. It looks like the two brands can build positively off each other." He concurs. "Yes, Uptown Magazine is a young publication. And a good quality publication. Brett was an executive with Uptown Records. And you know what, if you worked for Russell Simmons, as Andre Harrell did, the vessel from which we can say Uptown Records started, Andre Harrell, Puffy, Brett and myself. We're all outgrowths of Mr.Simmons . So, in leveraging , brand building , there is commonality with these guy's. With us. And with the deal between Uptown Magazine and my new media venture , there is sameness of goals. Value to be recognized and added to , market share; cool product. But being profitable is the name of the game ." The music we're going for is rhythm and blues; rap / hip hop ; gospel; jazz. Progressive thought, great ideas. Creative ingenuity by the talent, whether singer, rapper, poet , instrumentalist or actor." The other project to be presented by Russ' new media company , a company unnamed at this time but a part of The Russ Group of Companies , is Looker - The Album. This endeavor is a collection of music inspired by the Stanley Bennett Clay novel of the same name. To ensure the album goes creatively in the direction he wants, Russ will be producing it himself. With Mr.Russ' business inspirations being businessmen A.G Gaston and Reginald F. Lewis; master strategist, civil rights leader Bayard Rustin; entertainer and businessman Sam Cooke, it's difficult to fathom this young man not succeeding at anything he sets his sights on. Past , present and future. His inspirations where independent free thinkers and doers. Their own men. And that's this guy....an simple and ordinary man. Who makes it look so easy. When for certain it's not. And that's why he is astonishing. Terrance Russ is " That guy". Par excellence. A man in his time, of the times and way ahead of it. Extraordinary. Terrance, is, simply put : Mr. Incredible. We know the other's: Simmons. Harrell. Combs. Lighty. Liles. Wright. Ladies and gentleman the new icon has been introduced. Russ: The last man from Uptown. Advertisements About the writer: Gita Bouchamp is a former European fashion model, journalist photographer , investor, entrepreneur and heiress. She resides in Paris, France and New York City. Comments (0) Write comment Name Email Website Comment Copyright 2007. All Rights Reserved.
Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 November 2007 )

< Prev		Next >

Member Login

Submit News

Submit relevant news, video, etc. at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or contact us on AIM at ImperiousTV

Donate to Imperious

LinkShare Referral Prg

Member Login

Submit News

Donate to Imperious

Advertisements

Questions?

Resources For

Guest Contributors

Advertising With Us