Antwan Williams, a Richmond, Virginia native, epitomizes the “hustle and grind” ethos. In 2009, he founded Route Runna Management, a full-service creative marketing and management company dedicated to nurturing local talent. Initially a small A&R and promotions team, Route Runna expanded its services across the southeastern United States. In 2012, Williams joined Def Jam Records as a street team representative, advancing to Lifestyle Marketing Representative by 2015. Under his leadership, Route Runna became the official college marketing group for Def Jam’s HBCU initiative, significantly impacting the DMV, Central Virginia, and North Carolina regions. Williams has been instrumental in promoting artists like Trap Beckham and orchestrating HBCU campaigns for talents such as Rapsody, Jadakiss, Kanye West, and Rihanna. 

Troy Christopher Taylor is an American record producer, singer, and songwriter from New Haven, Connecticut, best known for his discovery and mentorship of R&B singer Trey Songz. He was formerly a member of production collective The Characters, and founded the record label Songbook Entertainment in 2002, through which he signed Songz the following year.[1] Throughout his career, Taylor has produced and worked extensively with the singer, as well as other prominent R&B acts including the Isley Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Whitney Houston, and Boyz II Men.[2]