My career started in the music industry working with 3 of the top artist agencies, Norby Walters Agency and William Morris Agency in NYC and Jam Productions in Chicago securing artists for concert bookings such as Guy, Public Enemy, Luther Vandross and Patti LaBelle, to name a few. In 1989, Lyor Cohen offered me a job at Def Jam/RAL and in ‘92, I moved over to Giant Records with Cassandra Mills as Head of Promotion. The artists included Christopher Williams, Color Me Badd & Miki Howard. In 1995, I was tapped by Denise Brown & Greg Peck to join Warner Bros Black Music, as Vice President of Promotion, working with Chaka Khan, Prince & Eric Benet, to name a few. After leaving Warner Bros, I worked for a few smaller labels.
In 2003, I left Los Angeles & moved back to Chicago to take a break. I was diagnosed with Lupus and my mother and brother had been diagnosed with Cancer. Time to heal, so back to Brooklyn! It was an eye-opening experience becoming the caregiver. I partnered with a local café, Solomon’s Porch, & the music bug hit again, promoting local talent 6 days a week. Chaka Khan & BeBe Winans were among the performers at the venue. With hard work, I opened a Prepared Foods Organic Market called Butternut Market to service my Bed Stuy community, which had become a food desert. With my family’s health declining, Butternut Market & all its glory had to be put on hold. 10 years later, I lost my two siblings & my mother. Losing my family was monumental. GOD gave me strength to endure.
Since 2012 when I was asked to be QUESTLOVE’s Personal Chef, I’ve been supporting him with healthy meals. QUESTLOVE is a true foodie, hosting intimate, private dinner parties for various artists who prefer HEALTHY EATING ALTERNATIVES to WESTERN MEDICINE.
The Music still lives on. One song that has inspires me is “The Blood Will Never Lose its Power “. l have learned through my lifestyle change & the book “Eating Right 4 Your Type”, that my blood is so important to living a healthy life. Since Jesus is my strength and salvation this song resonates within my spirit.
Connect with me on IG @buttaandsoul & @chefbutta1 or at butternutmarket@gmail.com.
#BlackMusicMonth #LivingLegends