Cortez “Tez” Bryant, a native of New Orleans, Louisiana, has risen to become one of the entertainment industry's most influential managers. His remarkable ability to identify and nurture game-changing talent has made him a key figure behind the success of some of the biggest names in hip-hop, including Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj, and G-Eazy. Bryant's career is a testament to his innate ability to spot that elusive “it” factor and transform it into global stardom.
Tez’s journey began in New Orleans, where he grew up as best friends with five-time GRAMMY® Award-winning rapper Lil Wayne. As Wayne's star began to rise in 2004, Tez balanced his time between managing his friend’s burgeoning career and attending classes at Jackson State University. After graduating, he officially took on the role of Wayne’s manager and founded Bryant Management.
Under Tez's guidance, Lil Wayne embarked on a legendary run with the release of the platinum-certified Tha Carter in 2004, followed by Tha Carter II and Like Father, Like Son. Wayne's magnum opus, the triple-platinum Tha Carter III, solidified his place as a hip-hop icon, earning four GRAMMY® Awards and critical acclaim.
As Wayne's career soared, Tez expanded his influence in the industry by co-founding Young Money Entertainment with Wayne in partnership with Cash Money Records. This label would become home to future superstars Drake and Nicki Minaj, both of whom Tez would later manage, helping to guide their careers to global success.
In 2009, Drake personally asked Tez to manage him, and under Tez’s leadership, Drake became one of the world’s biggest stars. Tez played a pivotal role in the success of Drake's multi-platinum albums, including Thank Me Later, Take Care, and the GRAMMY® Award-winning Nothing Was The Same. Nicki Minaj also joined The Blueprint Group, co-founded by Tez, further solidifying his influence in the industry.
Tez's talent for spotting and developing artists extended beyond hip-hop. In 2013, he orchestrated a strategic alliance with The Revels Group to co-manage G-Eazy, who went on to achieve two consecutive Top 5 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 with the multi-platinum albums These Things Happen and When It’s Dark Out.
Throughout his career, Tez has secured high-profile deals with major brands such as Samsung, Mountain Dew, Beats By Dre, and Pepsi’s Rockstar Energy Drink. His innovative approach to artist management has earned him recognition from industry leaders, including features on the cover of Billboard Magazine and placements on prestigious lists like the “Power 100,” “Urban Power Issue,” and “40 Under 40.” Complex also hailed him as one of the “25 Most Powerful People in Rap.”
Beyond his role as a manager, Tez is also dedicated to mentoring the next generation of executives and artists. As the Co-C.E.O. of The Blueprint Group and a partner at Maverick, he shares his wealth of knowledge and experience through the Cortez Bryant Foundation and as a professor in the music department at Jackson State University, where he has established a music business certificate program.
In addition to his contributions to education, Tez is the co-founder of Assemble, an online marketplace that connects individuals with personalized advice from diverse experts. He also spearheads BPG Ventures, the brand partnership arm of The Blueprint Group, which has secured strategic partnerships with companies like Krystal fast food restaurant and Pepsi’s Rockstar Energy Drink.
Tez's influence extends to the sports world as well. Under his company CB Ventures, he was instrumental in forging the relationship between Jackson State University and Hall of Fame player and coach Deion Sanders, as well as a new partnership between PepsiCo and the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Cortez “Tez” Bryant’s career is a testament to his visionary leadership and commitment to excellence. His ability to identify and nurture talent, combined with his innovative approach to management, has solidified his place as one of the most powerful figures in the entertainment industry. With a roster that now includes rising stars like Lil Nas X, Tez continues to shape the future of hip-hop and beyond.
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