Diddy took to social media on Monday, April 16, to preach-on about the need for Black people to embrace a common pursuit of 'Black Excellence.' It is a message that millions of his followers have become accustomed to taking-in from the legendary hip-hop mogul, only this time his words were intended for a specific few within whom he sees potential to empower the many.
"KNOW YOUR WORTH!!! IF ANY OF YOU KINGS AND QUEENS WANNA MOB AND UNIFY LET ME KNOW!!! IF WE DON’T OWN OUR CULTURE THEN WE HAVE NOTHING!!!" Diddy wrote on an image featuring Black label executives.
It appears that Diddy was inspired to speak his mind on the matter after coming across a story that was recently penned by Senior Editor at Billboard, Gail Mitchell. The piece, which is titled, "Why Hasn't the Hip-Hop Boom Pushed More Black Executives to the Top?" explores the state of Black representation on the administrative end of the industry and how there has been stagnancy and the prevalence of a glass ceiling so far as it concerns execs elevating above the A&R level.
Among the names recognized by Mitchell for holding down some of the higher positions in the industry are Ethiopia Habtemariam (Motown Records President), Sylvia Rhone (Epic Records President), “Big” Jon Platt (Warner/Chappell Music Chairman/CEO), Jeffrey Harleston (Universal Music Group Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs/General Counsel).
The article goes on to list a number of others who have been breaking in and breaking through, but Mitchell notes that whenever such a burgeoning class of Black execs has come to fruition in past years, various factors would lead to regression before long.
As an undeniable executive success story, Diddy's solution to the problem is unity with a higher purpose. "WE MUST OWN OUR CULURE! It’s NOT NEGOTIABLE!!! THE CULTURE THAT WE CREATED WILL BE OUR FIRST REAL OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN ECONOMIC WEALTH AS A PEOPLE. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE ALL WE GOT!!" he wrote.
