Nino
President of DGFA Network
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"No one makes it to the top, without ups and downs. It’s what you do with those so-called failures, that paves the way to your successes. Use your awareness to take a deep breath, learn the lesson, and move on knowing what to do differently the next time."
Biography
Meet Nino Villanova, an East Coast native, Villanova is no stranger to the music industry. He began his career in the 90s with many of the industry’s most celebrated label CEOs of that era including Sean “P,” Diddy” Combs (Bad Boy Records), Irv Gotti (The Inc.), Jay Prince (Rap-a-Lot), and Ronald “Slim” and Bryan “Birdman” Williams (Cash Money). “We’re all from that period of music where we used guerilla marketing to bring our product to the masses everywhere we went,” Villanova reminisces. “We all loved music and finding new talent was a high above all highs.” Villanova’s music roots originally began as the neighborhood D.J and writing music and rapping. He coupled his music talents and business savvy launched Union Label Records in 1996. As the founder and CEO, he formed a partnership and distribution deal with Platinum Entertainment. He executive produced the compilation album “Union Present Organized Rhymes,” working with some of the greatest emcees of the time such as AZ, CL Smooth, Twista, Gang Starr, and the late Big L. The release and sales of “Organized Rhymes” got the attention of Anton Marchand, then vice president of A&R for Interscope Records in New York City. Villanova’s success lead him to a label deal with then MCA Records/Universal Music Group (currently Universal Music) in 2000.
For the next three years, he was accountable for talent acquisitions, overseeing the creative process and managing marketing efforts, and worked with platinum-selling, critically acclaimed record producers. Following his stint with MCA and Universal, Villanova moved from New York to Atlanta quickly becoming allies with some of Atlanta’s elite music moguls including Michael “Blue” Williams (Family Tree), Dorsey James (Skor Entertainment, Inc.), Kawan “KP” Prather (LaFace Records/Ghet-O-Vision) and Chaka Zulu (DTP-Disturbing tha Peace). He also managed newly signed artists, producers and writers under the Radiculture umbrella with Ceelo Green,Kc Morton and Mike Jackson.
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Mr. Villanova is the founder and CEO of Greenway Consulting. He is a dynamic, innovative industry leader and enjoys sharing his experiences from the music, construction, and technology industries. His frank stories of lessons learned on his journey are delivered with the intention to inspire the next generation – he wants them to know they are important. Being true to who you are is essential not only for yourself, but for all of humanity.
Nino Villanova is the former Vice President of Georgia Music Industry Association and a member of K.I.N.G., a mentorship program for men dedicated to providing brotherhood, knowledge and encouragement. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia where he enjoys empowering youth and giving back to the community.
