Can you please give the people a brief introduction about yourself?
My name is Livio Harris been in the game for 20Yrs, started out as a singer signed to Uptown Records, when Diddy was an Intern, Mary J, Guy, Jodeci and Father MC, had just got signed, In was in a group called 4-Sure, then we left and signed to RuffHouse Records-(Kriss Corss, Cypress Hill, The Fugees), from there became A&R for The Great, Sylvia Rhone-Ceo of Elektra Records, discovered Adina Howard, managed, produced, wrote most of her hit, she had the big record in 1994-95 called Freak Like Me, it’s funny because that was 17 yrs ago, and new artist are emulating still what I had created which was female R.Kelly meets Black Madonna, Ciara’s “RIDE” is exactly that today, from there became A&R consultant via max Gousse-(now V.P. of A&R for Def Jam), and David Mcpherson at Epic Records, been with NottingHill Music Publishing for the last 17 years, now V.P. of A&R for the publishing company, where I was instrumental in bringing a company from London, and making them relevant in the U.S. help sign The Runners, DJ Khaled, Ron Browze, some Beyonce , Eminem, Outkast, and B2k catalogue, run my own WHO’S HARRIS ENTERTAINMENT-(Manage Artist, Writers, Actors, Produce TV, and Film Projects with my Client/Partner Lil J, have a company with Shaun Beastley from PEN-UP, called “Ready Set GO” it’s a one stop shop Concierge styled Company that caters to Artist, Labels, in their needs, be it Songs, Makeup Artist, Stylist, Lawyers whatever, we got you!!! Whew a lot I know, my mentor was Russell Simmons, explains my to many hats! LOL!
Is the music business always something you were interested in ?
Yes from age 12 to now, I started out singing with songs on the radio at home, then joined several groups, played guitar in a band, but guitars were too expensive, and bands kept breaking up, so I stuck to singing, moved to California from Kansas City, Missouri, and was born and partly raised in St. Louis, so I take pride in both cities, I moved here to Cali, started writing and producing for free, Flew my group out from Kansas City and we got a deal shortly after with Andre Harrell Ceo of Uptown Records, and my ex-manager and still other mentor Kurt Woodley, became a manager from there, inspired by then Michael Bivins of New Edition/BBD, 20 YRS later still standing, now branching into Films, and Television Projects
How did you first connect with Notting Hill?
Well Adina Howard my Artist at the time became huge with the “FREAK LIKE ME” Record, Worldwide, so Notting Hill sought me out because one, Adina was a hit, and two I produced, and had written, 8 of 12 songs on the Album, so they signed me initially as a songwriter, then decided, hey he could be out U.S. connect, and 17 yrs later, and Millions of sales, we still in business together, I respect that they let me do me, while doing them!!
What is your current position and can you speak on some of you many
achievements?
Current position is Vice President of A&R for Notting Hill Music Publishing, CEO of “Who’s Harris Entertainment”, Co-Ceo in “Ready Set Go” and President of It Was All A Dream Films with Jonathan ‘Lil J’ McDaniel, my super client, as I said earlier for NottingHill I Co-Signed The Runners, DJ Khaled, Ron Browze, some Beyonce , Eminem, Outkast, and B2k catologue, and continue seeking the next hot writer, producer, or Artist who writes, under WHO’S HARRIS ENTERTAINMENT-( I Manage Artist, Writers, Actors, also Produce TV, and Film Projects with my Client/Partner Lil J, under “Ready Set Go” with my partner Shaun Beastley we have established a one stop shop Concierge styled Company, that caters to Artist and Labels, with their needs, be it Hit Songs, Makeup Artist, Stylist, Lawyers whatever, we cover it, under It Was All A Dream-myself and my partner, create, seek out great film projects with our other partner Lee-Eric Berry-(A complete Genius he is)!!!!
(Featured In This Magazine With Name On Cover)
I know you deal a lot on the publishing side of the business, how has
it evolved since you started in the game?
Publishing in the beginning was a business of , If you got hot beats, or songs, hey, let’s sign him, and her, and them, now it’s more of a serious business now, where as publishers would sign u because, now it a, what placements do you have, how big is your percentages, and is the Artist a Gold+, to Multi-Platinum selling Artist, if you don’t have a big placement, it’s almost impossible to get a pub deal, and if a publisher takes a chance the advance money will be so insultingly low, it’s like why bother, but I will say that Ring tones, Ring backs, Digital Downloads, accounts for lots of doe, with the right hit, like a GA GA hit, WINNING!!!!!
What can we expect from you in the never future ?
Well I plan to one day start my own Publishing Company, I’m managing Lil J-(That’s so Raven, Entourage, etc), he has a huge Robert Townsend Movie that’s coming out this year called THE DISCARDED BOYZ, GODS willing will put him in that Young Denzil, Will Smith lane, and Shanica Knowles-(Artist/ Actress from Hannah Montana), has a record deal coming soon, J as well, Ready Set Go, are starting to get major labels as clients, could change the game of the biz, we are developing 2 great Films, and Lil j is up for a Ryan Seacrest styled hosting gig on a huge show-Mums the word on this particular show, that’s pretty much it, as for projects, and hopefully find, and sign the next biggest writer/Producer!!
Any words of advice for people hoping to follow in your footsteps ?
Man latch on to that person who motivates you, in my case it was Russell Simmons, then Diddy, watch what moves they are making, and set your mind and goals to be the next them, whoever inspires you, never give up, because there are a lot of haters out here , you will get way more NO’S than YES, don’t pay that any attention, just keep climbing that mountain, stay humble no matter what, believe that God got you, like I do, and you will get there, Trust…you can do whatever you want to, ask OBAMA!!!
