EXCLUSIVE: Grammy award-winning singer/songwriter, award-winning actress and author Fantasia Barrino Taylor or Fantasia (The Color Purple) is launching Rock Soul Productions, a new entertainment company that she has formed in partnership with award-winning live event producer, and artist manager Yvonne McNair. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Rock Soul Productions is a full-service operation with divisions centered in the areas of management, production, and entertainment ventures.
With Fantasia serving as CEO and McNair in the role of President, Rock Soul seeks to be “the intersection where creativity and excellence in entertainment meet.” Offering comprehensive management services – from strategic career planning to brand development and beyond tailored to each artist’s unique vision and goals – Rock Soul is committed to investing in talent and becoming the ultimate resource in discovering, developing, and elevating artists to new heights in their careers. The company will also focus on creating unforgettable audience-driven experiences through live events, film and television opportunities, and innovative digital content.
As this year marks Fantasia’s 20th anniversary in the entertainment industry, Rock Soul is a milestone next step in her much-storied career. As an artist owned and run company, Rock Soul further extends her star power and established success in music, film and television and will allow her and McNair to empower other artists and creatives – guiding their clients towards their own long-term success in the ever-evolving music and entertainment landscape.
“The formation of Rock Soul feels like a natural progression for me personally. It is the manifestation of my evolution as an artist, a creative and a businesswoman. After 20 years, you can’t help but to take stock and look back at all the things you have done, and I wanted to use those experiences to inform my opportunities going forward. Advocating for myself and other artists to become the change agents in telling their own stories and taking the reins in shaping their own narrative and success is what I’m passionate about. I am also so excited to control and shape the art and entertainment experiences that we will be sharing with the world,” said Fantasia. “Yvonne is the perfect partner for me to embark on this journey with as I quickly realized that she is a real dynamo, and I knew that I wanted that kind of visionary thinking at the table with me. With Rock Soul Productions, we are creating something powerful, and we aim to touch each and every facet of entertainment.”
After initially crossing paths over 12 years ago, Fantasia and McNair connected when they joined Sigma Gamma Rho as line sisters in November 2022. The pair further connected over their respective experiences in the entertainment industry and joined forces to create the production company.
“Fantasia is not only a once in a lifetime kind of talent, but she is also an incredibly savvy businesswoman. As an artist at the top of her craft, she brings a singularly unique perspective to Rock Soul Productions that truly sets us apart. For me, as a live event producer and entrepreneur for over 20 years, this is the dream realized. Rock Soul presents an opportunity for us to build something new and innovative that breaks up the traditional models and industry standards,” said McNair. “We are committed to making a positive impact through our work, upholding the highest standards of integrity in everything we do and ensuring that each creation leaves a lasting impression on our audiences. With this company, we will continue to push boundaries, ignite imaginations, and shape the future of entertainment. I am incredibly proud to partner with Fantasia to bring the Rock Soul experience to life!”
For more information about Rock Soul, please visit: www.rocksoulproductions.com. For general inquiries, please email: info@rocksoulproductions.com