“Navigating through the music business is much like living in the Matrix”, says Zach Katz. “If you don’t have Neo as your guide, you’re lost.” In an ever-changing industry where no one or nothing is really who or what they seem to be, success largely depends on who is guiding your career. For over a decade, Zach Katz has, as a music attorney, music executive and manager, guided the careers of some of the industry’s most important artists and producers.

Zach Katz earned his Juris Doctorate from Loyola School of Law in 1996 and directly thereafter went into private practice in his home city of Los Angeles. He quickly found success and became the go-to guy for numerous notable artists, producers, record labels, distributors and publishing companies who heard about the young music attorney with a true love for music.

In 2000, one of Zach Katz’s legal clients Groove Attack GMBH, a European music distribution powerhouse decided to launch a U.S. hip-hop record label. Based on his work with Groove Attack, Zach Katz was asked to become the CEO of the new enterprise. During his two years as the Company’s CEO, Zach Katz successfully oversaw the production, distribution and marketing of several critically acclaimed albums. Zach Katz’s work with Groove Attack largely took him away from his work as a lawyer, a place Mr. Katz was not eager to return to.

At the end of 200, Katz embraced the opportunity to manage his one time legal client, producer extraordinaire, Hi-Tek. Shortly thereafter, Katz further expanded his management roster to include the legendary rapper Rakim, who at the time recently signed to Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records. As Rakim’s manager, Zach Katz expanded his client’s hip-hop icon status into an equally sizeable brand name, by securing national ad campaigns with Reebok and Hennessey. Forging a strong bond with Dr. Dre, Zach Katz spent 2002 through 2005 managing many of the producers who turned out hit records for Dr. Dre, 50 Cent and Eminem. With Mr. Katz’s guidance, his talented clients contributed to the sales of tens of millions of albums.

In 2005 Zach Katz met producer J.R. Rotem who went on to become Mr. Katz’s only management client and business partner. The new team’s work quickly paid off as J.R. landed one placement after another, adding up to more than 300 songs produced and placed in just four years. These placements include songs for Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, The Game, Snoop, Plies, Lil Scrappy, Rick Ross, Fabulous, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Leona Lewis, Paris Hilton, Chamillionaire, Natasha Bedingfield, Jojo, Jesse McCartney, and Ashley Tisdale, to name a few.

In 2007, Mr. Katz’s work with J.R. led to the formation of their media company called Beluga Heights. J.R.’s brother, Tommy Rotem, joined the company as A&R and discovered the artist Sean Kingston. Beluga Heights signed Sean Kingston and formed a joint venture record label with Epic/Sony. The joint venture quickly got off to an amazing start with the commercially successful release of Sean Kingston’s album. J.R. produced the entire album including the chart-topping smash singles “Beautiful Girls” and “Take You There”. Up to date, Sean Kingston’s debut album has been certified Gold worldwide and has additionally sold eight million ringtones and digital singles.

In 2008 J.R. was named BMI producer of the year, scoring chart topping records with Leona Lewis’ “Better In Time”, Plies’ “Bust It Baby Part II” and Rick Ross’ “The Boss”. Towards the end of 2008 Beluga Heights exited from its venture with Epic/Sony and entered into a new joint venture with Warner Bros. Records. In addition to its record company venture, Beluga Heights entered into a joint venture with Rondor/Universal for its music publishing endeavors. “J.R. and I are constantly pushing each other and our team to bring our A-game to the table. We want to surround ourselves with talented artists, writers and executives who are prepared to dedicate the time and energy its going to take to build the creative and business blueprint for the next twenty years”, says Mr. Katz.

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