Jonathan Hay (publicist)

Jonathan Hay (publicist)
Birth name Jonathan Hay
Born (1973-12-16) December 16, 1973
Leesburg, Florida
Occupation(s) Music entrepreneur
Years active 1994-present
Associated acts Rihanna, Crooked I, Cyhi The Prynce, Shady Records, Chris Webby, Johnny Depp, Big Pun, Whitney Houston, Twista, Wiz Khalifa, Nappy Roots, MC Breed, Death Row Records, Prince
Website http://www.jonathanhay.info
Notable instruments
Music Production

Jonathan Hay (born December 16, 1973) is an American celebrity publicist and record producer.[1][2] His music career started in Louisville, Kentucky at Studio 550.[3] Hay is a TIDAL Rising Producer/Artist[4] who has been described as a "legendary music producer"[5] and "media mogul".[6] He's worked with clients from Sony Music to Wiz Khalifa and provides PR crisis management.[7] Hay is no stranger to controversy and is outspoken with his opinions, that are often quoted in the press such as The Washington Post.[8][9][10] Hay openly supports marijuana.[11]

Background

Jonathan Hay is a Leesburg, Florida native.[12] He was adopted as a child.[13] His biological parents are Ron Bradley (Lakeland, Florida) and Pamela Nicely (Ashtabula, Ohio) and their first time meeting in 42 years is part of a reality series.[14]

Hay got his start in the music industry with Travis Meeks who was signed to Interscope Records.[15] He was slammed by Meeks for issuing a press release announcing Meeks' audition for the new band Velvet Revolver formed by ex-Guns N' Roses members Slash, Izzy Stradlin, Duff McKagan and Matt Sorum.[16] In 2001, Hay had involvement with Prince for "When Will We Be Paid", a cover song originally performed by The Staple Singers.[17] In 2005, Hay helped publicize "Pon de Replay" the debut single from Rihanna with controversial marketing tactics.[18] Hay worked as a publicist for Death Row Records[19] and he's worked with a wide range of music talent, including Whitney Houston and Ice Cube.[11] In 2012, Hay was in the middle of a high-profile guardianship case involving teen actress Ariel Winter, a star on the TV series Modern Family, and her mother, Chrisoula "Crystal" Workman.[20] Winter's mother approached Hay about leaking nude photos of her other daughter, Shanelle Workman, to the press in an attempt to counter allegations of abuse. Crystal Workman sent a cease and desist to Hay.[21] Hay testified and signed a declaration for Ariel Winter in favor of her staying with Shanelle.[22]

In 2013, Hay co-founded SMH Records with Mike Smith[23] a Charlotte, North Carolina based record label.[24] Hay got into a public dispute with Kanye West and Kim Kardashian over the song "These Walls Revisted" and a charity auction of an original painting of West, where it was alleged that 100% of the proceeds would go to Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, the couples charity of choice.[25][26] Hay was a co-executive producer on "Sex, Money and Hip-Hop" by Kxng Crooked fka Crooked I of Slaughterhouse,[27] a rap group that is signed to Eminem and Shady Records.[28] Hay executive produced an album featuring urban music by Kentucky artists and film star Johnny Depp.[29] In 2014, it was announced that Hay was a music producer on the TV show "One Shot" with T.I., RZA, DJ Khaled, Tech N9ne, Sway Calloway and others.[30] The show airs on BET starting August 23.[31]

In February 2015, Hay had a six-figure departure deal from SMH Records.[32] He formed "Jonathan Hay Celebrity"[33] and "Urban Hitchcock" with longtime business partner Sabrina Hale.[34][35] In May, When Music Worlds Collide the debut studio album of Jonathan Hay and Mike Smith that features notable names in the hip-hop genre was released as a streaming only album and was featured on Fox News,[36] Billboard,[37] and Business Insider.[38] On July 1, Billboard Magazine announced the release of Jonathan Hay's produced "Don't Close Your Eyes (Ashamed)" a song about suicide and alcohol abuse as a tribute to the late Keith Whitley on his 60th birthday.[39] The music video premiered on MTV News on August 27.[40]

On October 23, Hay appeared on Inside Edition and publicly apologized to Beyoncé for his story in the unauthorized biography Becoming Beyonce.[41] Hay is in the Beyonce book for his publicity stunt in 2005 for spreading rumors that Jay Z was dating Rihanna to boost the then 17-year-old's "Pon De Replay".[42] Hay, confessed that he started those rumors during a difficult time. "The PR stunt that I did was out of desperation to help break 'Pon de Replay,'" Hay said. "It was reckless and I didn't think it was going to work. I was just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what would stick."[43] Neither star, Rihanna or Jay Z was aware of his machinations he told Newsday.[44]

In December, Jonathan Hay was in both Vogue and Vanity Fair in Italy for a recording project and reality show taping in Tampa, Florida.[45][46] Jonathan Hay's compilation album The Urban Hitchcock LP was released in March 2016, followed by Deluxe: The Urban Hitchcock LP in August 2016.[47][48][49]

Hay spoke out in Rolling Stone Magazine [March 24, 2016 (Issue 1257)] to publicly support Kesha during her sexual assault lawsuit against Dr. Luke.[50] The magazine called Hay a "crisis management expert".[51] In June, Hay produced a single that was released through Snoop Dogg's relaunched record label Doggy Style Records.[52]

In July, he co-produced Deluxe: When Music Worlds Collide with Mike Smith and King Tech of Sway & Tech that features many rappers from several eras that was released through SMH Records and Urban Hitchcock.[53][54] Hay told The Sun that his frequent collaborator Cyhi The Prynce wrote the lyrics to "Famous", the song that caused the public battle between Taylor Swift, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian.[55] According to Hollywood Life, a source close to West said, "Cyhi is a creative contributor on the song, in which he has been credited accordingly. However, the specific Taylor lyrics were written by Kanye himself." [56]

In August, Hay took a stand against Afrika Bambaataa and released a remix featuring Ron "Bee Stinger" Savage.[57] In the diss track, produced by Hay, Jonathan replays the notes from Bambaataa's song "Planet Rock" while Savage speaks out about child molestation[58]

References

  1. "4 Online Reputation Management Strategies From a Celebrity Publicist". Fox News. 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  2. "Publicist owns up to Rihanna and Jay Z cheating rumor". NY Daily News. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  3. Powell, Amber. "Louisville music producer leaves BET's One Shot to reunite with - wave3.com-Louisville News, Weather & Sports". Wave3.com. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  4. 10/23/15 5:50pm. "Tidal Artist Who Started Rumor That Jay Z Cheated On Beyoncé With Rihanna Hopes Everything Is Still Cool". Defamer.gawker.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  5. Caitlyn Hitt (2015-05-14). "Tidal vs. Spotify: Music Producer Jonathan Hay Says Quality Is The Biggest Difference Between Streaming Services". Ibtimes.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  6. Kevin Cornell (2015-05-29). "#ICYMI: TuneCore Weekly Round-Up May 23–29 - TuneCore Blog". Tunecore.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  7. "Jay Z, Beyonce and the Rumor Mill: Who's Pulling the Strings?". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  8. McCarthy, Ellen. "Beyoncé, Kendrick Lamar and the new 'it' PR strategy: Surprise!". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  9. http://jezebel.com/ask-a-publicist-is-taylor-swift-and-tom-hiddlestons-re-1783144899 http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/rihannas-old-publicist-blames-jay-7777064
  10. Watts, Halina (2016-04-17). "Rihanna's old publicist blames Jay Z's Tidal network over 'disastrous' album sales - Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  11. 1 2 "Now - HowStuffWorks". Now.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  12. October 29, 2015 (2015-05-12). "Leesburg native filming reality show with birth father - Daily Commercial: News". Daily Commercial. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  13. "How I Met My Father". Blog.23andme.com. 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  14. "A Family Meeting: Adopted Man Filming Reality Show With His Father in Lakeland". TheLedger.com. 2015-05-11. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  15. "Travis Meeks - Orange Red Green Tree". Louisvillemusicnews.net. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  16. "Days Of The New Frontman Slams Former Business Partner, Announces 'Full On Metal' Project". Blabbermouth.net. 2003-01-08. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  17. Name. "The Prince And Audio Stepchild Connection". Drfunkenberry.com. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  18. Nelson, Jeff (2015-10-23). "Beyonce Book: Truth Behind Most Outrageous Reports in New Biography". People.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  19. "WIDEawake Death Row Records Reportedly Being Sold In Wake Of Parent Company's Bankruptcy | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. 2012-12-05. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  20. "Nude Photo Scandal Erupts in Ariel Winter Custody Case: Publicist and Star's Mother Clash Over Salacious Picture Claim". E! Online. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  21. "Ariel Winter's Mom - Threatens to Sue Publicist Over Nude Photos Claim". TMZ.com. 2012-12-07. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  22. "Publicist Will Testify, Signed Declaration For Ariel Winter In Favor Of Custody With Sister". Radar Online. 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  23. mtv (2014-09-29). "Are You And Aspiring Rapper? Sway And Crooked I Have A New Competition Show Just For You". MTV. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  24. "New Label SMH Raises $30 Million In Capital". AllAccess.com. 2013-10-16. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  25. "MTO SUPER DUPER MEGA WORLD EXCLUSIVE: We Have An OFFICIAL Special Message . . . From Kim Kardashian And Kanye West . . . Their FIRST OFFICIAL Since The Birth Of Their NEW DAUGHTER!!! (MTO EXCLUSIVE)". Mediatakeout.com. 2013-06-19. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  26. Posted on Jun 28, 2013 @ 3:11AM (2013-06-28). "Kim Kardashian & Kanye West Issue Cease And Desist – We Have Nothing To Do With Your Charity Auction!". Radar Online. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  27. Baker, Soren (2014-12-05). "KXNG CROOKED (Crooked I) "Sex, Money and Hip Hop" Release Date, Cover Art & Tracklist | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  28. "Slaughterhouse". Shady Records. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  29. "Johnny Depp featured on 'The Hookah Lounge Vol. 1' album". UPI.com. Retrieved 2015-11-04.
  30. Frydenlund, Zach (2014-12-17). "T.I., Game, DJ Khaled, RZA, and More Enlisted as Celebrity Judges For "One Shot"". Complex. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  31. "One Shot Cast". Bet.com. Retrieved 2016-11-01.
  32. "Kxng Crooked to Serve as Face of Urban Hitchcock Apparel Line". Theboombox.com. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  33. "Jonathan Hay Celebrity – PR Maven Jonathan Hay". Jonathanhaycelebrity.com. 2014-06-20. Retrieved 2015-10-29.
  34. ""If Only Damon Dash Would Have Accepted eOne's Suggestion To Run Death Row, None Of This Would Be Happening" – For The Best In Hip-Hop News". SOHH.com. 2012-12-06. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  35. "Bristol woman to marry man she's never met". Wndu.com. 2008-03-25. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  36. declare.html
  37. "Two Producers Put Their Indie Rap Album to Tidal vs. Spotify Challenge". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  38. Tech (2015-05-14). "Music producers release album on Spotify and Tidal to see which streaming service is best". Business Insider. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  39. "Kxng Crooked & Truth Ali Pay Tribute to Late Country Star Keith Whitley on His 60th Birthday: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  40. mtv (2015-08-27). "KXNG Crooked Opens Up About Suicide And Alcohol Abuse In 'Don't Close Your Eyes' Video". MTV. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  41. Edition, Inside (2015-10-23). "Publicist: I Made Up Rumor That Rihanna Had Affair With Jay-Z to Boost Her Single". Inside Edition. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  42. Rihanna's former publicist apologizes for Jay Z cheating on Beyoncé rumor | Daily Mail Online
  43. Carly Ledbetter Entertainment Writer, Huffington Post (2015-03-30). "Rihanna Puts An End To Those Beyoncé 'Feud' Rumors". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2016-03-18.
  44. "Rihanna, Drake 'Work' duet fuels dating rumors". Newsday. 2016-05-05. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  45. Natale: tutte le iniziative per "essere più buoni" - Vogue.it
  46. Wishwall Foundation asta benefica in collaborazione con CharityBuzz - VanityFair.it
  47. "The Urban Hitchcock LP by Jonathan Hay on iTunes". Itunes.apple.com. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
  48. Caitlyn Hitt (2015-10-21). "Tidal Rising Artist Jonathan Hay Opens Up About 'The Urban Hitchcock LP'; Shares Exclusive Details About New Reality Show". Ibtimes.com. Retrieved 2015-10-30.
  49. "DJ Khaled Talks Wade's Heat Exit, Beyonce Tour, Police Brutality « CBS Sports Radio". Radio.cbssports.com. 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  50. "Producer Calls Dr. Luke A Monster, Urges Sony To Part Ways". Dish Nation. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  51. by JHCAdmin1 (2016-03-24). "Rolling Stone Magazine: "Inside Kesha's Fight"". Jonathan Hay Celebrity. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  52. Adelle Platon (2016-06-21). "Doggy Style Records Signee HeebzStreet Releases 'Letters': Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  53. Hernandez, Victoria (2016-07-26). ""Deluxe: When Music Worlds Collide" LP Features Hip Hop Heavyweights". HipHopDX. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  54. "When Music Worlds Collide (Deluxe) by Jonathan Hay & Mike Smith on Apple Music". Itunes.apple.com. 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  55. Forrester, Katy (2016-07-31). "Kanye West 'didn't even write THAT Famous lyric about Taylor Swift calling her a b****' - Mirror Online". Mirror.co.uk. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  56. Samantha Wilson (2016-07-31). "Kanye West Didn't Write Famous? — Cyhi The Prynce Maybe Wrote Taylor Swift Part". Hollywood Life. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  57. "Afrika Bambaataa Accuser Ron Savage's Vocals Added to Powerful Remix". DJBooth Article. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
  58. G. Avant. "Exclusive Hip Hop News, Interviews, Rumors, Rap & Music Videos | Allhiphop » Child Molestation Victim Ronald Savage Drops Track Dissing Afrika Bambaattaa". Allhiphop. Retrieved 2016-08-06.
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