Music publishing veteran Juan Madrid has moved into the management arena as manager for rapper and five-time Grammy Award nominee Rick Ross. Ross, who is also working with Madrid on a new TV show, is set to release his next album, Port of Miami 2: Born to Kill, this year.
Madrid’s Cruz Control client roster also includes young rapper King Mez. Signed to Aftermath Entertainment and a featured guest/co-writer on Dr. Dre’s Compton album, King Mez is in the midst of finishing his debut album.
Madrid and Ross’ business relationship dates back to 2006 when the former, then-VP of A&R at Sony/ATV Music Publishing, signed the rapper to his first publishing deal. After four years at Sony/ATV, Madrid joined Warner/Chappell Music in 2009 as senior VP of A&R. He left the company in 2016 to pursue other endeavors, including signing on as a producer on the VH1 show Signed.
Madrid still retains his music publishing ties, signing writers and producers to Los Angeles-based Cruz Control through non-exclusive joint ventures. Thus far, he’s inked agreements with writer/producer Ben Free (Brent Faiyaz’s “Poison”) via Big Deal Music, producer Ayo (Kyle’s hit “iSpy” featuring Lil Yachty), songwriter Racquelle via Reach Global and producer Alex da Kid (Eminem, Nicki Minaj, Imagine Dragons).
Calling his segue into management and television a “career rebirth of sorts,” Madrid tells Billboard, “After spending 15 years at some of the biggest music publishing companies, my new role is a natural one. The skills I’ve developed over the years, as well as the relationships I’ve nurtured, all come into play as a manager. Now I can roll up my sleeves and really be a part of the bigger picture.”