Ethiopia Habtemariam

Ethiopia Habtemariam became the President of Motown Records following a major re-organization at Universal Music Group earlier this year. Prior to her current role, she was the senior Vice President of Motown Records and head of urban music at Universal Music Publishing Group. A native of Atlanta, she began interning at LaFace Records at age 14. Hired there as an assistant right after high school, she found herself in Los Angeles in 2001 working as a creative manager for Edmonds Music Publishing. Then, Universal came calling two years later. She has signed some of Music's biggest superstars including Chris Brown, Kerry Hilson, and Ciara. Lastly she oversees one of the most impressive urban rosters in the music from Mary J Blige, 50 Cent, Eminem, Jeremiah, Ashanti, Jill Scott, ice cube, Swizz beats, DMX, Asher Roth, R Kelly, Babyface, Keisha Cole and many more. She is the highest ranking black female at a major record label

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.