Kedar Massenburg

William Henry "Kedar" Massenburg (born 1963) is an American record producer and music executive who served as president of Motown Records from 1997 to 2004. Massenburg is best known for managing D'Angelo as his career burgeoned, discovering and cultivating American singer Erykah Badu, as well as having trademarked the neo soul genre.

Massenburg is the founder, president and CEO of Kedar Entertainment.

Early life and education William "Kedar" Massenburg was born in 1963. He is also a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.

Career After college, Massenburg spent several years in marketing positions, including two years as a district manager for PepsiCo (maker of Pepsi Cola), and a year with SmithKline Beecham Clinical Labs Pharmaceuticals.

In 1995, he established Kedar Entertainment, originating out of his New York home, with a $1,700 outlay from his own pocket and consisted of a desk set, fax machine, copier, and portable phone.

Erykah Badu In 1995, Kedar Entertainment signed one of its first artists: Erykah Badu. Massenburg's work on behalf of Badu got him wide notice in the industry. His first move was to pass out 1,000 copies of Badu's debut single, "On & On", at the 1996 Soul Train Music Awards. "And man, when I heard it banging out of somebody's car going down the street that same night, I knew I had something." Badu embodied the new approach Massenburg was looking for.

"Neo soul" Massenburg wanted to start a genre that acknowledged the influence of hip-hop and of other electronics-influenced musical styles, but was a return to earlier forms.

Kedar Beverages LLC Massenburg founded Kedar Beverages LLC in 2005, which makes chardonnay, merlot and cabernet sauvignon.

Personal life As an adult, he has lived on the Upper West Side of Manhattan

He currently has 3 children: Kayla Massenburg; and twins Eliana Massenburg and Elijah Massenburg.