Kenny Ortiz

Biography

Kenneth "Kenny O" Ortiz (born November 10) is an American Grammy-nominated record executive, A&R, manager, consultant, radio and street promotion. As the CEO of World Trade Entertainment his efforts have resulted in 175 million records sold. Hits and acts Ortiz has been a part of, have been instrumental in the careers and successes of Pharrell Williams and The Neptunes, Rodney Jerkins, SWV ("Human Nature Remix" and "Downtown"), Ne-Yo, Jazmine Sullivan, Missy Elliott, Timbaland. The 2019 Jordan Peele movie Us, features I Got 5 On It by The Luniz featuring Mike Marshall produced by Tone Capone whom he manages. Widely known as the mastermind behind SWV, Ortiz is also known for discovering Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo also known as the Neptunes, whom Ortiz signed to EMI to their first production and writing deal. Ortiz would A&R the unreleased compilation album which featured Charlie Wilson and Kelis which subsequently led to Kelis's signing. It was Kenny Ortiz's idea to make Pharrell and Chad change their production name to the Neptunes. Ortiz's A&R and promotion skills through the 80s, 90s, 00s, and 2010s helped to bring numerous musical artists and figures across multiple genres to multi-platinum sales and fame, including Mellow Man Ace, Pharrell Williams, Neptunes, SWV, Destiny's Child, The Luniz, MC Hammer, Brian McKnight, Martha Wash, Anita Baker, Tracy Chapman, Keith Sweat, BeBe Winans, CeCe Winans, Ryan Toby of City High, Mantronix, Simply Red, The Cure, Ten Thousand Maniacs. Ortiz is responsible for helping acts to get signed by major labels. Artists that benefited from Kenny's musical ear include: Jazmine Sullivan (whom Ortiz discovered on Showtime of The Apollo, brought her into the studio for the first time, and then introduced to her to her mentor Missy Elliott who would eventually produce her #1 singles nearly a decade later), Brian McKnight (whom Ortiz discovered utilizing his vocals for demos and eventually brought him in front of labels who signed hi

Bio from Wikipedia