David Belgrave

David is a native New Yorker and former music industry marketing executive. He attended Trinity School for grammar and high school after which he enjoyed four wonderful years of growth, education and mind expansion at Wesleyan University. While at Wesleyan, he created and co-hosted an all-Prince format radio show called The Crystal Ball. Always a music super fan, as graduation approached he began to seriously consider music as a career; quite the left turn from the degree in Government he was about to receive. With a tip from a friend who was a former Wes student and now working at Def Jam Recordings, he was able to secure a job as a messenger at the premiere Hip Hop record label. Under the expert tutelage of Russell Simmons and Lyor Cohen he began his paid apprenticeship in the music business while working his way up. He joined the Artist Development department eventually becoming Director of Video Production. He worked with the likes of Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Onyx (with Jam Master Jay of Run DMC), Method Man and Redman on many groundbreaking videos. Along the way he would develop fruitful working relationships with directors such as Brett Ratner, Diane Martel and Paul Hunter. Soon he would transition to marketing and Los Angeles where he helmed album launch campaigns for LL Cool J, Warren G. and Montell Jordan. Columbia Records would bring him back to NYC. His marketing fluency generated unprecedented results for the roster he stewarded as VP of Marketing: Maxwell's first chart-topping album debut; as Nas' longest serving marketing person, platinum sales on multiple projects; successful album campaigns for Wyclef Jean, Goapele and Bow Wow. These days you can find him enjoying his beloved and ever-changing home of NYC. Chances are that was him that just rode by you on his bike in Central Park!