Al Manerson, the Wiz Behind the Curtain, is the visionary and CEO of Bluraffe Entertainment Group, specializing in A&R, promotions, marketing, sales and production. With a career that expands more than 25 years and includes a diverse roster of talent representing every genre and various medias, Manerson has worked with industry trailblazers from legendary artists and producers such as Michael Jackson and Sade to triple threats like Zendaya. With Manerson at the helm, Bluraffe's footprint in the entertainment world is undeniable as they continue their quest to expand in 2020 beginning with the #1 record "She" from Stokley's highly anticipated album Sankofa and the debut album of LA's very own duo, Shakespeare. A sample of Manerson's affiliations and career achievements is provided below.
FOUNDER
ARTISTS + PRODUCERS
MICHAEL JACKSON - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
SADE: Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
PUBLIC ENEMY - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
BABYFACE - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
CELINE DION - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting album
ZENDAYA - Executive Producer and A&R for debut album, Zendaya. Marketing liaison between Disney.
AMY GRANT - Marketing and Promotions for Gospel projects
MARIAH CAREY - Promotions & Sales Support
RUN DMC - Promotions & Sales Support
LUTHER VANDROSS - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
LL COOL J - Promotions & Sales Support
BEASTIE BOYS - Promotions & Sales Support
STOKLEY - Management.
GLORIA ESTEFAN - Marketed and Promoted album Let it Loose
SHIRLEY CESAR - Marketing, Promotions & Sales for albums
SHABBA RANKS - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
CAPPADONNA - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
RAGE AGAINST THE MACHINE - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
CAM'RON - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
CLARK SISTERS - Marketing, Promotions & Sales for albums
POETIC JUSTICE - Marketing & Promoted soundtrack
BROWNSTONE - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
GHOSTFACE KILLAH - Responsible for Marketing & Promoting albums
MINT CONDITION - Executive Produced & Managed projects
LEELA JAMES - Executive Produced & Managed projects
TIMELINE
Stokley, the Solo Artist
Stokley's 2nd Album, Sankofa
Including Billboard #1 hit “SHE..”, Rush Ft. H.E.R., Vibrant Ft. Snoop Dogg, Cascade Ft. The Bonfyre, Woman ft. KiDi and more, Stokley's highly anticipated sophomore album, Sankofa, is available now.
Coming 2 America
Courtesy of Bluraffe/Flytme/Perspective, Sooo Glow is featured on Coming 2 America's soundtrack. Written and produced by Stokley.
Zendaya
Shakespeare
Shakespeare, comprised of Los Angeles natives Tradessa Willis and Trevon Trapper is currently under the management and supervision of Manerson and Bluraffe. The amazing singing/songwriting duo will be releasing their debut album soon and have vocal, writing and/or producing credits for well-known artists and projects including The Internet, Justin Bieber, Annale, Stokley and more.
Manerson was the executive producer of Disney's 1st black tween star, Zendaya's self-titled debut album. Her debut single, “Replay”, was certified Platinum and sold over 1.2 million copies.
Stokley, Grammy Nomination
Stokley is nominated for Best R&B Performance with Kelly Price for "Not My Daddy,"
Best of Enemies Film
Manerson was the Music Supervisor for the 2019 Robin Bissell (The Hunger Games) directorial debut of Best of Enemies, starring Taraji P. Henson and Sam Rockwell
Stokley + Wale Collab
Producer, SdoT
SdoT, the producing phenom from the Hit Boy camp is currently under the management and supervision of Manerson and his company. SdoT recently co-produced Lurkin' by Chris Brown featuring Tori Lanez and has upcoming projects with Rihanna, Chris Brown, Stokley, Brandy, Logan Paul, Shakespeare, Avehre, Chanel West Coast, Kyle Christopher and more.
When managing Mint Condition, Manerson facilitated the collaboration between, hip-hop artist, Wale and Stokley, lead singer of Mint Condition and two-time Grammy nominee. This partnership led to the production of Wale’s certified Gold album, The Gifted
Annalé
Rodney Jerkins Collab
Manerson continues to provide music direction and artist development to Annalé, the Los Angeles-based singer whose debut single “Roses” landed in the top 20 on the Billboard charts. Manerson's artists, Shakespeare and Stokley, have vocal and writing credits on several of Annalé's singles.
Manerson advised and lent his expertise to super producer Rodney Jerkins's music venture, Evolve/Capitol Music Group. Artists included actor Evan Ross
Leela James' Top 10 Album | BET
Manerson was involved in securing a recording contract with Concord Music Group/Universal Records for singer/songwriter Leela James. He was her manager and executive produced her only top ten album, My Soul. James’ single, "Tell Me You Love Me," was viewed over half a million times on YouTube. Manerson also negotiated her position as host of the BET series My Black is Beautiful.
Grammy Nominated "Healing Season"
Manerson was the Executive Producer of Mint Condition's Grammy Nominated Christmas album, Healing Season.
Introducing Stokley
Manerson is the current manager for Stokley Williams, the former lead singer and drummer of Mint Condition, and has negotiated several entertainment and business deals for Stokley including securing a bottled-water endorsement. Stokley released his first solo album, Introducing Stokley, which has over 1 million Spotify streams, peaked at #3 on the Billboard Adult R&B chart, behind Childish Gambino and Bruno Mars.
Manerson Expands His Roster
Manerson began managing Kadis & Sean, Audio Push and Mint Condition in 2010.
My BFF Film
Manerson was the Music Supervisor for the 2016 film My B.F.F., starring C. Thomas Howell, Sean Patrick Thomas, K.D. Aubert.
Audio Push
A Very Larry Christmas
Manerson was the Music Supervisor for the 2013 film A Very Larry Christmas., starring DeRay Davis, Tatyana Ali and Charles S. Dutton
As Manager, Manerson was involved in securing the group's record deal with Roz Music Entertainment under Geffen/Interscope. He served as executive producer for their debut album and garnered song placements for Xbox and the soundtrack for Honey 2. Manerson also secured Audio Push's second deal with Hit Boy H$87 and their first song to be featured in the video game, Dance Central, "Shine".
Mint Condition
As the group's manager, Manerson was involved in securing their deal with Shanachie/E1 for their album, 7. Manerson was executive producer of the album and oversaw the band's in-store campaigns and marketing brand. He was involved in securing a contract with top booking agency CAA and placed Mint Condition as the house band for the television series Way Black When and as hosts of the series’ Best Of episodes.
Kadis & Sean
Manerson began managing Kadis & Sean in 2010. He was involved in securing a production deal with Geffen/Interscope for the duo's Roz Music Entertainment and a publishing deal with Chrysalis Music Group for their first original score as music producers on the Honey 2 movie soundtrack through Universal Pictures and song placements with Jesse McCartney, JoJo and T. Mills. Manerson negotiated television and soundtrack placements and oversaw the opening of Roz Music studios
Kevin Edmonds
Al Manerson was involved in securing a distribution deal through Make Entertainment/EMI for R&B artist Kevon Edmonds, whom he represented. With Manerson as A&R for Edmonds’ Who Knew album, the single "Oh" charted in the Adult Contemporary Top 10.
Waiting in Beijing Film
Manerson was the Music Supervisor for the 2008 film Waiting in Beijing starring Kelly Nyks, Steph Song and Tala Ashe
Billy Blanks
Manerson garnered a distribution deal with K-tel Records Canada for Billy Blanks, the fitness guru, martial artist, actor, and creator of the Tae Bo exercise program.
The Dream Center
Manerson coordinated distribution deal for The Dream Center, a Christian rock band, through Universal Distribution and Press Play.
R&B Artist, Govenor
Manerson managed Governor, the first male R&B artist signed to G-Note Records, the label founded and owned by 50 Cent