Robert Celestin

ROBERT A. CELESTIN, ESQ.
With over twenty-five (25) years of experience in the entertainment industry as an attorney, manager and record label owner, Mr. Robert A. Celestin has represented and worked with a number of talented artists and top music executives within the recording industry.

Mr. Celestin received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and Philosophy in 1981 from Yale University and his Juris Doctorate from Columbia University School of Law in 1984.

He first got his start in the music business as the Program and Music Director of WYBC-FM while a student at Yale. It was there that record industry heavyweights like Sylvia Rhone and Sharon Heyward suggested that he attend law school.
While a law student, Mr. Celestin interned at Inner City Broadcasting’s WBLS-FM as a Programming Assistant working with the late great Frankie Crocker.

After graduating from law school, Mr. Celestin commenced his legal career at the prestigious law firm of Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays and Handler, LLP (“Kaye, Scholer”) concentrating primarily in Corporate Financing. Drawn to the more creative side of his personality, Mr. Celestin ventured into the music industry, which he considers his first love. He left Kaye Scholar and started his music law career at Arista Records, LLC. (“Arista”) in its legal department. Arista at the time, was the home of superstar “WHITNEY HOUSTON” and rap superstars “WHODINI”.

During that time period, Mr. Celestin became friends with ANDRE HARRELL, a former Def Jam Records, Inc. executive and the founder of a fledgling record label named Uptown Records, Inc. (“Uptown”). After spending a year at Arista, Mr. Harrell invited Mr. Celestin to join Uptown as its Vice-President and General Manager.

At Uptown, Mr. Celestin was not only responsible for administrating the operations of Uptown, but he was also actively involved in creative decisions regarding the acquisition of recording artists and administrative decisions regarding the recording of various recording artists' albums. In addition, Mr. Celestin’s duties included handling the negotiations and the actual signing to Uptown of artists such as "JODECI", "GUY", "MARY J. BLIGE", "HEAVY D AND THE BOYZ and others.
Most notably, with JODECI, Mr. Celestin coordinated the recording of the first album project entitled “Forever My Lady” and as Co-Executive producer consulted with Mr. Harrell and SEAN “DIDDY” COMBS regarding the A&R direction of the album.

After leaving Uptown, Mr. Celestin was hired as the Vice President and General Manager of Untouchables Entertainment, Inc. ("Untouchables"), a record label founded by Heavy D and the Boyz’s member and producer Edward “DJ Eddie F” Ferrell. Untouchables had entered into a joint-venture agreement with Laface Records, LLC (a record label founded and owned by producer/sing-writer L.A. Reid and Kenny “BabyFace” Edmunds) and was responsible for the success of multi-platinum artists such as “DONNELL JONES”, “INTRO” and “PETE ROCK AND CL SMOOTH”. In addition, Mr. Celestin managed producers signed to the Untouchables Producer Management Division ("UPM"). As Vice President and General Manager of UPM, Mr. Celestin was responsible for managing the careers of hit producers such as Dave "Jam" Hall (MADONNA, MARY J. BLIGE & MARIAH CAREY), Edward "DJ Eddie F” Ferrell (HEAVY D & the BOYZ, INTRO & TLC), KENNY "Smoove" KORNEGAY (CASE, CHANGINGS FACE & MARY J. BLIGE), among others.
After a two (2) year stint at Untouchables, Mr. Celestin went into private practice and joined the law practice of Louise West and assisted her in the representation of superstar recording artists/producers “MISSY ELLIOTT”, “TIMBALAND”,“GINUWINE” and others.

In 2000, Mr. Celestin established the Law Offices of Robert A. Celestin representing major platinum-selling recording artists such as “PETEY PABLO”, “3LW”, “SECONDHAND SERENADE”, “THE CLIPSE”, “PUSHA T” and “MICKEY FACTZ” as well as other up and coming recording artists, producers, songwriters and record labels such as “CHOSEN FEW EMERALD ENTERTAINMENT, INC.”(“FUEGO”), “TEGO CALDERON”, “ ERIKA DAVID”, “PURE” and “MAVADO”. In addition, Mr. Celestin also represents super manager “BLUE WILLIAMS” (Outkast and Cee-lo Green) and legendary hip-hop producer “MARLEY MARL” (LL Cool J, Fat Joe, Biz Markie, etc.) and radio personalities/DJ’s such as “FUNKMASTER FLEX” (Hot 97), “D.J. BOBBY TRENDS” (Hot 97), “D.J. SELF” (Power 105) and the legendary “UNCLE RALPH McDANIELS,” (Video Music Box). In addition, Mr. Celestin represents celeb-reality stars such as “TOCCARA” (America’s Next Top Model),“LAURIEANN GIBSON” (Making The Band),“MOMMA DEE” and “SHAY” (Love & Hip Hop Atlanta).
In addition to running a successful law practice, Mr. Celestin has managed platinum selling and Grammy nominated Interscope recording artists “CITY HIGH”, Univision recording artist “ENEMIGO” and Jiggiri/Atlantic recording artist “CHYNO NYNO”. Through his production company, Intelligent Music, Inc, Enemigo’s debut album entitled “Quien Es Enemigo?” was independently released and went on to sell over 25,000 units.

Mr. Celestin has spoken on numerous panels and at countless seminars regarding the entertainment and music industry. He is also a member of the following trade groups and associations: American Bar Association (ABA), Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association (BESLA), American Federation of Independent Music (AFIM), the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS), the New York County Lawyers Association and the Recording Academy.