Arnold Taylor is a 23-year veteran in the music industry, and he brings along with him a plethora of success stories of epic proportions. Arnold has always had an entrepreneurial way of thinking; working for himself has always been his goal. Arnold began his music career by creating his DJ Record Pool "Taylor's Record DJ Pool," which serviced registered DJs with new vinyl from major and independent labels. As his record pool grew, labels started inquiring with Arnold for marketing and promotion services, which launched "South Coast Marketing." Impressed by the success and continuous growth of South Coast Marketing, Black Ground Records CEO Barry Hankerson offered Arnold his first label opportunity. Most people would have automatically jumped at the job, mainly because Black Ground Records was the home of Aaliyah and Timbaland. However, Arnold's entrepreneurial thought process had to weigh his options before finally taking the role. "It might sound funny, but I had to discuss the pros and cons of the job with myself. Looking back at it now, I'm glad I said YES," says Arnold.

Yes, he is glad he said YES, because taking the job with Black Ground Records started his successful career in the music business. After leaving Black Ground, Arnold continued his music journey by accepting a position at Def Jam Records, which lasted eight years. His status and strategic placement in the music industry sent him from Def Jam to become the National Promotions Director at Interscope Records for the next three years. While working with various artists at Interscope, he quickly became a key player for the label, which led to his next position as an executive in the marketing department at Universal Republic Records.

Arnold became known for breaking records for major artists and solidifying their placement in a vastly growing music industry. This caught the attention of Epic Records CEO L.A. Reid, who presented Arnold with his next opportunity as VP of Marketing & Promotions reporting directly to him.

Five years later, in 2014, Arnold decided to leave Epic Records and bet on himself. "At this point in my career, I felt I received the greatest music education anyone could receive. All my professors were the great industry leaders, and with my job experience from working at major labels, it was time for me to challenge myself and put my knowledge to the test," said Arnold. Arnold rebranded his South Coast Marketing company by turning it into a record label and renamed the company "South Coast Music Group (SCMG)." Arnold further said, "My dream has always been to make sure Charlotte and the Carolinas are recognized in the music industry!" Arnold's dreams are coming true with the success of his first artist DaBaby. To continue the company's success, SCMG has signed additional Carolina artists Blacc Zacc, Toosii, and Big Mali to the label.

You can't think of South Coast Music Group (SCMG) without thinking of Craig Martin. Craig has the most tenure in SCMG, going back to the beginning of South Coast Marketing. Craig, a native of Columbia, SC, graduated from Johnson C. Smith University, where he expressed his love of music by playing in the school's marching band and joining the great Kappa Kappa Psi National Honorary Band Fraternity. After graduation, Craig decided to stay in Charlotte, NC, as the music scene started to grow. Craig launched his CM Productions, which focused on street marketing, local press, radio consulting, etc. for independent and major labels in the Charlotte market. After years of working with countless record labels, as many industries do, the music business started making changes, and Craig teamed up with South Coast Marketing. As part of South Coast Marketing, Craig used his relationships with the DJs in the market (a handful of them worked at the local radio stations) to break records in the radio stations' mix shows. In 2014 Craig transitioned into radio promotion, where he became recognized as one of the top record promoters in the Southeast region. When Arnold launched South Coast Music Group, he named Craig the Head of Radio Promotions, which covers the entire US. Craig has many #1 records under his belt, but none have felt more important to him than reaching #1 with SCMG artist DaBaby.

Born and raised in the vibrant entertainment hub of Austin, Texas, Mike's journey into the music industry was ignited by a childhood steeped in the local entertainment scene. From witnessing the magic of orchestras melding with dancers and actors to experiencing the electrifying atmosphere of sporting events and concerts, Mike was captivated by the power of entertainment to evoke emotions and create unforgettable moments. Fueled by a passion for creativity and spectacle, he embarked on a career path destined to fuse his love for music with his innate knack for orchestrating experiences.

One of the defining moments in Mike's career came with the successful execution of "Nick and Friends," a groundbreaking show featuring Nick Cannon and the Wild N Out cast. This achievement propelled Mike to push for more, which led him to collaborate with esteemed producer Yampi on Rauw Alejandro's "Afrodisiaco" album, culminating in a Grammy nomination for Best Urban Music Album. As the industry continues to evolve, he remains committed to navigating its complexities and is driven by a belief in the enduring power that unites listeners around the world.

Balancing the creative and business aspects of his role presents its challenges, yet Mike thrives on finding innovative solutions to bridge the gap. While the creative realm is where his strengths lie, navigating the intricacies of the business side can be arduous. However, Mike approaches this with a mindset of creative problem-solving, constantly seeking unconventional strategies to streamline operations. For those aspiring to venture into the music executive realm, Mike imparts the importance of passion and patience, urging them to embrace the journey of crafting their own masterpiece step by step. Currently, Mike is excited because he witnesses the growth and potential of his roster at SCMG, each artist possessing that intangible "x-factor" that he knows will take over the future.

With an innate passion for music culture and an unwavering commitment to discovering new sounds, Derrius' journey into the music industry was sparked by a genuine love for the art form. Beginning as a freelance journalist writing for an underground hip-hop blog, he immersed himself in the dynamic world of music, driven by a desire to unearth emerging talent and share their stories with the world. Transitioning into the industry, Derrius secured an internship with a Charlotte-based record label, where he honed his skills and ascended to higher roles, guided by the mentorship of luminaries like Dr. Daud "King" Carter.

Throughout Derrius' career, he has witnessed the shifts within the music landscape, notably the democratization of content creation and the rise of the streaming era. By closely monitoring the digital landscape and its implications for his projects, Derrius has always aimed to stay at the forefront of innovation and adaptability. While navigating these changes and understanding the ever-changing dynamics of the digital realm, he remains steadfast in his belief that authenticity and originality are paramount. This knowledge also enables him to harness emerging technologies and platforms to propel his endeavors forward.

Instead of merely following trends, Derrius strives to carve his own path, staying true to his artistic vision. As a music executive, Mr. Edwards attributes success to qualities such as openness to criticism, a hunger for continuous learning, and the ability to think independently. His advice to aspiring executives echoes the importance of dedication and resilience, emphasizing the necessity of unwavering effort and faith in one's abilities.

Cemeka Lewis, AKA the Glue of South Coast Music Group, is no stranger to the music business; she started at the young age of 16 doing street-team promotions for the hip-hop group The Lost Boyz. During high school, Cemeka continued promoting local acts and working at 92.1 FM as an on-air personality. Her passion for music sent her back to what she loved: breaking new artists. In 2001 she moved to Charlotte, NC, to attend Johnson C. Smith University. While in school, Cemeka was hired by multiple radio stations to help with promotional events. Her creativity, attention to detail and overall success with events made her stand out for the promotions business. She caught the attention of a South Coast Marketing employee. Arnold was impressed by her drive and started Cemeka as an intern. Within a few short months she was promoted to Atlantic Records Street Team Representative for the company. After graduation, Cemeka was promoted again to a full-time employee of South Coast Marketing, where she held many positions. When South Coast Music Group was launched, Arnold gave Cemeka the title Executive Office Manager AKA The Glue. The Glue, you might ask, only Arnold can explain it best: "Glue makes everything stick together, and Cemeka is SCMG's glue! SCMG is growing every day, and when you have multiple moving parts, everyone has to be on one accord. I don't know how she does it, but Cemeka must have multiple arms and hands I can't see, because at the end of every day, everything is together because of THE GLUE!"