Rap icon Todd “Too Short” Shaw and industry veteran Monica Payne hosted an exclusive launch event Sunday evening for the official unveiling of their new state of the art digital production facility “The Magic Gate” in Studio City. Special guests in attendance at the red carpet event included Cedric The Entertainer, Affion Crockett, Ray J, Shawn “Solo” Fonteno (Grand Theft Auto V), Luenell, Rosa Acosta, V. Bozeman (Timbaland’s Mosley Music Group), Laroo, The Jazmin Sisters, DJ Whoo Kid, Kim Glass, Red Grant, Joi Gilliam, up and coming artists Reign and Holiday and more. Too Short and Monica Payne welcomed their celebrity friends, industry tastemakers and some of the best in the business, to tour the facility and party with DJ RELL (Cherry Poppin) and DJ Jahkova (Female DJ Coalition and Madam of the Mix).
Guests enjoyed food, drinks sponsored by Ciroc, Belaire Rosé, Moreno Champagne, gift bags provided by apparel brands Pink Dolphin and Rich and Rotten, intimate tours of The Magic Gate facility with a chance to participate in the inspirational #SPEAKYOURDREAM Instagram campaign, while celebrity guests got their laugh on in the plush Broadcast Suite with host Money B (Digital Underground & The Going Way Back Show).
The launch event was produced by Echoing Soundz Entertainment and covered by a bevy of media outlets including Diddy’s Revolt TV. The Magic Gate is a one-stop shop for all of your digital media production needs, artist management and development services. The multi-faceted company offers cutting edge content and artist development for major brands, record labels and artists from all walks of life. With a state-of-the art facility featuring a White Cyc/Green Screen wall and Photography Studio, recording studio, and editing suites as well as workshops and classes for rising artists looking to develop their talent, The Magic Gate is a place where dreams can come true.
“The idea for Magic Gate came from the restrictions of being a creative artist and having to go to so many different vendors just to produce something. We figured, why not have all of those resources under one roof,” explains Monica Payne. Co-owner Too Short says, “I just want to help all talent, no matter what type of music. We’ve built something that we can offer to artists in this digital age. It’s just all about dreams coming true, mine included. Magical things will happen; careers will be started. The people we have here [at Magic Gate] are all talented and we’re putting our blood, sweat and tears into this…we know the rewards will come later,” he explains.
The Magic Gate is made possible by a handpicked board of directors, talented artists and executives including Senior VP Max Gousse (former Senior VP of A&R at Island/Def Jam records – Beyonce, YG, Ty Dolla Sign), General Manager Taura Stinson, Creative Team Directors Adam Tillman-Young and his wife Shani Tillman-Young, Creative Artistic Director Shawn Barton (Outkast, CeeLo Green), VP of Development Erika Conner (producer for film Idlewild), Animator/Creative Producer Maxwell Benson (Maxwell Benson Entertainment Ltd.), Head of Public Relations Echo Hattix (E-40, Ceelo Green, Xzibit, Master P) and Joi Gilliam (Dungeon Family) as the head of Artisan Polishing.
