Jimmy Kang The CEO and founder of Str8Up Entertainment Group INC. has made significant accomplishments with 20 years of experience in the music industry. He is a music producer and manager known for
hip-hop who is currently the vice president for
Wu-Tang Management
Starting from the emergence and prominence of Wu-Tang Clan in the mid-1990s, several of the group's members have branched out to create their labels following RZA's lead. Some of the labels have dissolved, while other labels have transitioned int ...
and is operating
Protect Ya Neck Records. Jimmy Kang facilitates other businesses under Wu-Tang Management; Protect Ya Neck Records, Protect ya Neck Distribution, Wu-World Radio, Wu- World Dj Coalition. He also owns Exclusives "Music meets fashion" in the heart of downtown Worcester Ma across the city hall for over 10 years along with Str8up Media Institute where he helps artists with all media aspects of the music industry. He is also the co-owner of Miss Central Massachusetts beauty pageant to empower young girls and women to take their career to the next level. Jimmy also owns a convenient store in downtown Worcester. He runs a custom clothing shop where he showcases the clothing at Exclusives along with doing in-stores for artist and fashion designers. Jimmy is also a board member in Probus Inc. partners with Thunder studios out of Long Beach California. Jimmy also Hosted at 97.9 FM Unity Radio out of Worcester Ma. to help evolve the city to the next level in cannabis awareness. He was a co-host for Cannabis 101 where he helped educate the public about cannabis that has become legal in the state of Massachusetts. Jimmy got into the boxing world and opened up a Boxing gym in Las Vegas with one of the world's best trainer Rafael Ramos.
Originally from
Seoul
Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 of ...
,
South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...
and raised in Los Angeles, Kang later moved to Massachusetts to pursuit a hockey career playing for the
Boston Junior Bruins. which would later spawn into a transition to the music industry while going to college at
Worcester State University
Worcester State University (WSU) is a public university in Worcester, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1874 and enrolls nearly 5,500 undergraduates and over 900 graduate students.
History
Founded in 1874 as the Massachusetts State Normal Sch ...
. While in College he became a promoter to managing 5 night clubs everyday in the city of Worcester Ma. to become one of the top promoters in New England. Jimmy is known for his perceptive business skills and being able to adapt to his surroundings regardless of the environment. His first introduction to the music industry came through Krumbsnatcha (an artist), who is affiliated with legendary rap group Gang Starr.
After learning the ropes of the underground scene in 2001 Kang would go on to develop STR8UP Entertainment in
Worcester, Massachusetts
Worcester ( , ) is a city and county seat of Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. Named after Worcester, England, the city's population was 206,518 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the second-List of cities i ...
while helping
Gang Starr Foundation
Gang Starr Foundation is a collective of east coast rappers led by the hip hop group Gang Starr. It was co-founded by Boston legend Big Shug. It was established in 1993.
Group members
Current members
*Big Shug
* Jeru the Damaja
* Group Hom ...
member
Krumb Snatcha create his record label,
W.O.L.V.E.S. Entertainment, and produced the albums ''Krumb Snatcha Classics'' and ''Hate Me More''. He signed
Special Teamz
Special Teamz is an American hip hop group made of Boston rappers Edo G (formerly of Da Bulldogs), Jaysaun (formerly of the Kreators) and Slaine (of La Coka Nostra).
All three members are of different racial backgrounds: Edo G is African-Ameri ...
Edo.G, Jaysaun and Slaine to his own label, Str8Up Entertainment and released the group's first album, ''The Mixtape''. His label released the hit "Main Event" produced by DJ Premier off the group's album ''
Stereotypez
Special Teamz is an American hip hop group made of Boston rappers Edo G (formerly of Da Bulldogs), Jaysaun (formerly of the Kreators) and Slaine (of La Coka Nostra).
All three members are of different racial backgrounds: Edo G is African-Ameri ...
''.
After earning 7 awards at the ‘MIC Awards’, (5 for slaine, one for the best group, and best single). Jimmy was then offered a project from WPE Music distributed by Universal which would then give him an introduction to the corporate side of the industry. From this Jimmy gained respect as an innovator within the New England hip hop market.
In 2006 Kang was named one of "26 in 2006" people under 40 to watch by Pulse magazine in Worcester. Kang gained acclaim for bringing special events to the venues of Worcester. He also managed Club Red 1888, Canal Lounge, Voodoo Night Club, Club Universe, Octaine, Seven, and Keikos.
Kang was hired as a vice president for Wu Tang Management in 2009 and helped open up PYN records and Wu-World Radio for the world to hear. He currently operates
Wu-Tang Management
Starting from the emergence and prominence of Wu-Tang Clan in the mid-1990s, several of the group's members have branched out to create their labels following RZA's lead. Some of the labels have dissolved, while other labels have transitioned int ...
&
Protect Ya Neck Records signing artist to the label and management.
[http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jimmy-kang/18/905/5b7 ] While Jimmy was a promoter and a club owner, he had set up shows with artists such as
50 cent,
T.I., Freeway, G unit, and Rocka Fella, Neo, Lord Jamar, Buddha Monk, Cappadonna, Inspectha Deck, Kurupt, Roscoe, Raz B, Onyx Cannibus, Saigon, Armegadon, Tony Sunshine, Prospect, Beenie Seagle,
Ricky Blaze
Ricardo Lloyd Johnson Jr. (born August 3, 1988), also known as Ricky Blaze, is an American DJ, producer, singer, and songwriter.
He has done production work in the dancehall music space and the trancehall subgenre. He has produced and collaborated ...
, Blaq Poet, Dj Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor, Keith Murray, Red Man, Erick Sermon,
Busta Rhymes, DMX, New Boys, Baby Boy da prince, Method man, Inspectha Deck, U-God, Jim Jones, Cam'ron, JR Writer, Hell Rell, Joel Ortiz, Awesome 2, Clinton Sparks, Chubby Chubb, Tony Touch, Static Selectah, Hustle Simmons, G Spin, Rukiz, Frenchy Montana, Dip Set, Def Squad,
Wu-Tang
Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close affil ...
, Mario, Tok,
Elephant Man
Joseph Carey Merrick (5 August 1862 – 11 April 1890), often erroneously called John Merrick, was an English man known for having severe deformities. He was first exhibited at a freak show under the stage name "the Elephant Man" and then wen ...
,
Sean Paul, Mr. Vegas, Guru, Nova Y Jori, Mengo Flow,
Farruko
Carlos Efrén Reyes Rosado (born May 2, 1991), better known by his stage name Farruko, is a retired Puerto Rican singer and rapper. He rose to fame collaborating with Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Don Omar, and J Álvarez. He came to prominence in 2 ...
and many more.
Since then, Jimmy has managed artists such as
Junior Reid,
Spliff Star
William A. Lewis (born April 18, 1971), professionally known as Spliff Star, is an American rapper and record producer from Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York. He's best known for his work with Busta Rhymes. Both ''Vibe'' and ''Complex'' listed Spliff ...
, Young Dirty Bastard, KrumbSnatcha, Edo G, Slaine, Jaysaun, Rich Gates, Breje. He currently is working with
Cappadonna
Darryl Hill, better known by his stage name Cappadonna, is an American rapper. He is a member of the hip-hop collective the Wu-Tang Clan and is a member of the rap group Theodore Unit together with Ghostface Killah.
Career
Cappadonna (also know ...
of the
Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan is an American hip hop group formed in Staten Island, New York City, in 1992. Its original members include RZA, GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, and Masta Killa. Close aff ...
, CORE of 36 chambers, Inspectha Deck, Kurupt, Roscoe, Onyx, Raz B, Big Nate Allstar, Scott Isbell, PBS Skinz
Str8up Entertainment Groupjust got signed to a distribution deal and is now signing artist and producers to distribute through Sony/Orchard.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kang, Jimmy
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
American businesspeople
Worcester State University alumni