A3C announces the first round of speakers to participate in the 14th annual A3C Conference in Atlanta between October 3-5, 2018.
A3C will be announcing hundreds of additional speakers and more information over the next several months.
Premiered exclusively on Billboard
Speakers Include
Steve Stoute (Founder/CEO, UnitedMasters + Translation), RZA (Producer, Rapper, Actor, Director & Author), Goodie Mob (Artists), Cortez Bryant (Manager, Maverick), James Cruz (President, Cruz Control Management), Ryan Leslie (Founder, SuperPhone), Lola Plaku (Founder, Lola Media Group), Janee Bolden (Managing Editor, Bossip), Abe Batshon (Founder, BeatStars), Asya Shein (Founder, Fusicology), Mike Boyd (VaynerMedia, Head of Music Partnerships & Artist Relations), Jesse Flores (INgrooves, Senior Director of Label and Business Development), Thomas D. McLeod (Founder/CEO, Omni) and Marcus Hollinger (VP of Marketing, Reach Records)
The A3C Conference hosts dozens of panels, workshops and mentor sessions with hundreds of thought-leaders and industry experts in Atlanta between October 3-5, 2018. The A3C Conference is the best event to network and learn from the innovators, entrepreneurs and music makers that shape hip-hop music and culture.
More music is consumed today than ever before, and hip-hop is the most streamed, watched and influential genre. Atlanta is today’s undisputed hip-hop capital and the A3C Conference is the annual gathering for the most influential artists, executives, entrepreneurs and future leaders of the culture.
A3C Conference takes place between October 3-5, 2018 at three facilities in downtown Atlanta.
- The Conference Center (Loudermilk Center)
The Conference Center is the epicenter of the A3C conference. The facility ensures artists, producers, entrepreneurs and the music industry at-large are able to network and gain invaluable experiences and useful information.
- Action Summit for Social Justice (Auburn Ave Research Library)
Action Summit for Social Justice invites activists, academics, and artists to connect, discuss and address social justice challenges.
- Creator Complex (Georgia State University's Creative Media Industries Institute)
Steve Stoute
Steve Stoute is the founder and CEO of the Translation, a marketing agency, the former president of Interscope Records and the author of The Tanning of America: How Hip-Hop Created a Culture That Rewrote the Rules of the New Economy. In 2017, Stoute launched UnitedMasters after raising a $70 million from Google’s Alphabet, Andreessen Horowitz, Floodgate, and 20th Century Fox. UnitedMasters is ready to give musicians an alternative to exploitative record label deals.
“It’s very important that an artist’s jobs is to be a great artist. The infrastructure around them should be helping them get more money at efficient rates, not owning their masters and taking from them.” - Steve Stoute
Goodie Mob
Goodie Mob is one of Atlanta’s most iconic hip-hop groups. They created timeless hip-hop anthems that are as relevant today as the day they were recorded. A3C is celebrating the 20th anniversary of Goodie Mob’s critically acclaimed album, Still Standing, with a Keynote Conversation featuring Goodie Mob’s Cee-Lo Green, Khujo, T-Mo & Big Gipp. Still Standing is a socially conscious that feels somewhat prophetic. The album addressed racism, gentrification and corrupt police. We will be discussing the making of the album, reflecting on the time in which it was recorded and its significance today.
“We are very honored to be apart of A3C this year. As we are also celebrating the 20th anniversary of our album ‘Still Standing’ we look forward to come out celebrate, educate and motivate with everyone! See you in October!” - Goodie Mob
RZA
RZA will be joined by the entire Wu-Tang Clan to celebrate the 25th anniversary of their debut album, Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers. Every member of the Wu-Tang Clan is participating in a special 2-Day Wu-Tang Experience that will climax with a headlining performance at the A3C Festival. The schedule and details of A3C’s Wu-Tang Experience are coming soon.
RZA is the leader of the Wu-Tang Clan and one of the most prolific producers in hip-hop history. He has produced nearly all of Wu-Tang Clan's albums, as well as many Wu-Tang solo and affiliate projects. RZA has also been heavily involved in the movie business acting, scoring and directing numerous number of films and TV shows.
"It’s a honor and a pleasure for the Wutang Clan to perform at Atlanta’s A3C music festival. Atlanta is a pillar of hip hop music and a place where we were blessed to build part of the foundation of our fan base. Me and my wu brothers are ecstatic to celebrate 36 Chambers 25th anniversary with a rare performance in this revered inspiring city." - RZA
Founded in 2005, the A3C Festival & Conference has grown from a local showcase to become one of the most important hip-hop events of the year. The 14th annual A3C Festival & Conference is in Atlanta between October 3-7, 2018 and aims to educate and empower the artists, entrepreneurs, and creatives that shape hip-hop culture.
The A3C Festival is a 2-day hip-hop festival in downtown Atlanta at the GA Freight Depot from Sat, Oct 6 - Sun, Oct 7. The A3C Festival features 3 stages with dozens of performances, food trucks, live art and much more. It's a breeding ground for the next generation of stars while honoring the legends and trailblazers of hip-hop.
The A3C Conference is the premier event to network and learn from the innovators, entrepreneurs and music makers that shape hip-hop music and culture. Over the 3-days in Atlanta between Wed, Oct 3 - Fri, Oct 5 A3C hosts dozens of panels, workshops, mixers, mentor sessions and interviews with hundreds of tastemakers, thought-leaders and industry experts.
