Daniel Stephenson

Born|  (1984-04-16) April 16, 1984 (age 40)

Essex, England

Nationality| British
Citizenship| United Kingdom
Alma mater| Christ Church College & University
Occupation|

* Entrepreneur
* Executive producer
* Founder & President of Straight Forward Music Group, Straight Forward Recordings, Straight Forward Publishing, Straight Forward Giving
* Co-Founder of Mugal Group

Organization| Daniel Stephenson
Height| 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Website| www.straightfwdmusic.com
www.pyramidsinparis.com
www.mugalgroup.com

Daniel Stephenson also known as Dani Stephenson (born 16 April 1984, Essex, England) is a British entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist, music industry executive and executive producer-songwriter.[1] He is a serial entrepreneur who is founder of a number of companies, including Straight Forward Music, Straight Forward Recordings, Straight Forward Publishing Group, MUGAL Group, Straight Forward Giving and others.[2]

Under Stephenson’s leadership, Straight Forward Music Group focuses on providing a global platform for artists specialising in A&R Consultancy, Talent Management, Artist Development, Digital Marketing, Publishing, Music Distribution and Technology Investments.[3][4] The company has recording studios in London England, India Mumbai and Los Angeles, United States.

During his career, Stephenson has worked with a number of artists such as Drake, Anne Marie, Big Sean, Dave, Skepta, Diddy Dirty Money, Ella Mai, J Hus, Wiz Kid, Don Diablo, and many others. He has a background of working at executive roles for Universal Music Group, Bad Boy Records, Reckless Records & Plastic Records, BBC 1Xtra Radio, BBC Introducing, A.H.B.S Radio FM, Straight Forward Music Group and Mugal Group.[5]

Stephenson is credited for his widespread and innovative approach to talent management, A&R, artist development, promotional strategy, and International Marketing.[6] He has also achieved x2 Grammy nominations, x5 Brit Award, x2 BMI Awards, x1 ASCAP Award and many more.

## Contents

* 1 Early life and education
* 2 Career
* 3 Publications
* 4 References
* 5 External links

## Early life and education[edit]

Daniel Stephenson was born on 16 April 1984 in Havering Essex, England. He studied at Christ Church College and University in music production and artist development in 2006. Stephenson’s other education includes Official FA Certified Coach - Level 3, OCN Creative Technology, OCN Music Law, Media and Publishing, OCN Music Production & DJ Technology and GCSE’S, Maplesden Comprehensive School.

## Career[edit]

Dani started his journey as a music producer-writer, known initially under the alias “Pyramids In Paris,”[7] he was one of the masterminds behind the Billboard Top #20 hit single “The Mack” featuring Mark Morrison & Fetty Wap which was released via Straight Forward Music, Straight Forward Recordings and Capitol Records UK.[8] The single topped charts all over the globe and raked in over 300 million streams and in excess of 2 million sales worldwide.

In 2011, Stephenson formed Straight Forward Music Group that specialises in artist development, talent management, music distribution, publishing, technology innovation and recording studios.[9] Straight Forward Music Group is the parent company of five major sub-branches consisting of Straight Forward Recordings, Straight Forward Publishing, SFI Investments Group, Straight Forward Giving Foundation and Mugal Group. Straight Forward Music is the talent management arm, Straight Forward Recordings is a fast-rising indie music label that offers music distribution, A&R consultancy and digital marketing. Straight Forward Publishing provides a global publishing collection service, thus promoting the copyrights created by the creatives.[10] Mugal Group has been formed to bridge the gap between India, Southeast Asia and the western markets to develop artists from an Asian heritage. The heart and soul of the collective is Straight Forward Giving Foundation, Daniel Stephenson's non-profit initiative that partners with charities and creates fundraising efforts for the community. The foundation actively supports projects for the underprivileged. Some of those programs include Princes Trust, NHS Charities Together, Young Lives Matter, and Youth Music.

In 2015, Stephenson signed the Grammy nominee and Brit Award-winning producer-artist Nana Rogues to Straight Forward Music. Rogues produced and co-wrote three songs with Drake for his albums, More Life and Scorpion.[11] Nana produced "Skepta Interlude" and the record-breaking worldwide hit "Passionfruit.", Nana also co-wrote on "Don't Matter To Me" featuring Michael Jackson which was cut on Drake's album "Scorpion". Straight Forward's other more notable projects include Big Sean's "Finally Famous", MANN's" MANN's World", P Diddy's Dirty Money "Last Train To Paris", Drake's "More Life" and "Scorpion," J Hus "Big Conspiracy" and Dave's "Psychodrama."[12]

In 2015, Stephenson signed the Grammy nominee and Brit Award-winning producer-artist Nana Rogues to Straight Forward Music. Rogues produced and co-wrote three songs with Drake for his albums, More Life and Scorpion. Nana produced "Skepta Interlude" and the record-breaking worldwide hit "Passionfruit.", Nana also co-wrote on "Don't Matter To Me" featuring Michael Jackson which was cut on Drake's album "Scorpion". Straight Forward's other more notable projects include Big Sean's "Finally Famous", MANN's" MANN's World", P Diddy's Dirty Money "Last Train To Paris", Drake's "More Life" and "Scorpion," J Hus "Big Conspiracy" and Dave's "Psychodrama."

In 2018 signed an exclusive joint venture with Universal Music Group for his fast-rising indie label Straight Forward Recordings

In 2019, Stephenson co-founded Mugal Group with co-founder Vishal Patel, an entertainment group that focuses on bridging the gap between the western and India, Southeast Asian music industry, and pop culture. Specifically targeting the Indian market, leveraging the potential of the Indian music scene.[13]

## Publications[edit]

* Feb 2018, Maidstone music manager Daniel Stephenson in partnership with Virgin EMI Records[14][15]
* Jan 2018, Dani Stephenson signs Joint Venture with Universal Music Group
* Oct 2017, Dani Stephenson making waves with Drake, Mark Morrison and more

## References[edit]

1. ↑ Penske, Tyler (2020-06-17). "Daniel Stephenson Creating Legacy with Straight Forward". Kivo Daily. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
2. ↑ "Persons with significant control". beta.companieshouse.gov.uk. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
3. ↑ "Dani Stephenson Continues to Move Forward with Straight Forward". New York Wire. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
4. ↑ "Straight Forward Innovation with Dani Stephenson". New York Wire. 2020-06-27. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
5. ↑ "Daniel Stephenson Creating Legacy with Straight Forward Music". www.morningstar.com. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
6. ↑ "The Mind Behind Straight Forward Music Group, a Home to Timeless Music". www.wrcbtv.com. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
7. ↑ "The Mind Behind Straight Forward Music Group, a Home to Timeless Music". www.news12.com. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
8. ↑ "Daniel Stephenson Creating Legacy with Straight Forward Music". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
9. ↑ "Dani Stephenson and Straight Forward Music Elevating to Greater Heights". USA TODAY Classifieds - Marketplace. 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
10. ↑ "Daniel Stephenson Creating Legacy with Straight Forward Music". finance.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
11. ↑ Penske, Tyler (2020-07-06). "Daniel Stephenson's Straight Forward Music Group Transcends the Boundaries of the Music Industry". Medium. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
12. ↑ "Daniel Stephenson Creating Legacy with Straight Forward Music". www.accesswire.com. Retrieved 2020-07-20.
13. ↑ "Lucky Dancer Signs Global Deal With Music And Entertainment Company Mugal Group". Forbes India. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
14. ↑ "Virgin EMI U.K. Signs A&R Deal With Straight Forward Recordings". Billboard. 2018-03-30. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
15. ↑ "Indie music firm in deal with major record label". Kent Online. 2018-02-05. Retrieved 2020-08-12.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

## External links[edit]

* Official website
* Daniel Stephenson on LinkedIn