Artist of the Month

Super Manny: Artist Manager and Entrepreneur Manny Halley
By Kessel Nelson

How does one go from owning a beauty salon to being a top player in the entertainment industry? Ask Imani (Manny) Halley.

Halley was a salon owner looking for new ways to attract customers to his shop, so he started inviting entertainers and rappers to stop by for autograph signings and events. “The people on the block would say ‘Manny every week you have Wendy Williams, or Mase, or a different rapper come by and do things,’” he said, “‘you're so well connected, you should be a manager.’”

As word of Halley's ability to make connections started to spread, the rapper Shine approached him and asked him to be his manager. “He was the first artist I managed and I signed him to Bad Boy Records.”

Being an artist’s manager is not an easy job, said Halley. “It's not just about managing the artist, it's about giving your all to them.” he said. “It's about taking care of their personal needs, making sure that they're straight. Sometimes you have to give them fatherly, brotherly, even friendly love. That's the difference between me and other managers out there.”

Halley noted that being educated is also an important part of his job. “I did go to college, and it does help to have a degree. You'll get a better sense of what will blow up and what won't. You'll know when [and how] to negotiate and when not to negotiate. You'll know how far to go with certain things.”

It's very important to learn all you can about the industry, said Halley. “Educate yourself. Study the industry. Read books about the industry. Ask experienced people to share their knowledge and advice.”

“Breaking into the industry can be challenging,” he said. “If you want to work behind the scenes as a manager or executive, one of the biggest challenges you'll face is getting people to take your call or take a meeting with you when you don't have a resume in the business. When you get on the phone with someone just tell them exactly what it is you want and what you want to get across. You have to know that when you get that job or that chance, that you are going to go in there and try to make a difference.”

If you want to be a singer or rapper then there are different challenges. “It's all a grind,” said Halley. “If you're a rapper or singer go to the local clubs and ask them to play your records. Go to the local radio station. Give your record to a radio jockey and ask to meet the program director. If they like your record they'll play it. You can start a movement in your town.”

The hard work doesn't end once you get a contract with a record label. “When you start out you work from the bottom up depending on how badly the label wants you,” said Halley. “Most of your money will go to your recording costs and to your bills, but you should get an advance. Always focus on the bigger picture. There may be times when your manager will tell you to do 30 shows for a radio station for free. There's no money but you get radio spin, you build yourself and your brand.”

“Whatever path you take,” said Halley,” you have to believe, have faith, and stay hungry.”

Halley is an entrepreneur in the true sense of the word. In addition to being an artist manager, he is CEO of Imani Entertainment Group, a company he started with Grammy-nominated friend and client, Keyshia Cole. He is also co-executive producer of  BET's #1 rated reality show “The Way It Is,” currently in its third season.

With so much going on in his life, how does Halley stay grounded? “That's a good question,” he said. “I try to value and respect everybody's opinion. I try to treat people the way I would want to be treated. At the end of the day I don't want anyone to feel that I think I'm better than them.”

He also tries to be an example for other young entrepreneurs. “Once you believe in something you can make it happen,” he said. “You don't have to go the negative route to succeed. You can be positive and do positive things and get great results out of it.”