Samuel J. Sapp

Samuel J. Sapp was appointed Producer and Vice President Creative / Television Production at Chan Add Films in September 2003. He is also a global entertainment consultant for various music-based recordings, soundtracks, and music based compilation projects. In addition to his music consulting services, he continues to oversee creative production for all Chan Add Films Television and Movie projects. At Chan Add Films, Mr. Sapp provides strategic leadership in marketing initiatives, product management and branding, financial management, creative development, product acquisitions and sales. He also is part of the team that created and developed the first dual language television show titled, "Hacienda Heights", which centers on the trials and tribulations of the families who live, work and love in the fast growing city of "Hacienda Heights." The conflicts that arise between the political factions, the wealthy dynasties and the working middle class families are universal and will reflect the times in which we live today. "Hacienda Heights" is shot in both English and Spanish and is a modern day prime time drama. Sam is producing 26 episodes of the show for the initial roll out, and an additional 87 shows in 2011. In the early 2000's, operating in the capacity of a Creative Consultant, Samuel Sapp oversaw production of the "Love and Basketball" Soundtrack with writer / producer / director Gina Prince-Bythewood released on New Line Records. He also served as a consultant to "The Ali Motion Picture" Soundtrack from the Will Smith movie "Ali," released on Interscope Records. Mr. Sapp was responsible for Executive Producing, Creating, and Producing his first television show titled "Garage Envy," along with Overbrook Entertainment, Will Smith and James Lassiter's Production Company, based in Beverly Hills, CA. Here Sam created the show, Garage Envy, started his own production company and sold "Garage Envy" to the A&E Network in New York, NY as his first entry into the television arena. Prior to starting his creative consulting firm, Mr. Sapp had a distinguished 10-year career as an Artists and Repertoire (A&R) Executive, Executive Producer and Marketing Executive at a few of the major global recording companies including Sony Music / Columbia Records, where he reported directly to Tommy Mottola, CEO of Sony Music. As Vice President of Columbia Records from 1996 to 2000, he was responsible for overseeing 75 recording artist signed under the Sony Music umbrella, including So So Def Records owned and operated by the multi-platinum producer and recording artist Jermaine Dupri, and Ruff House Records, that launched the global selling 10 times platinum project "The Fugees" featuring Lauryn Hill. Mr. Sapp oversaw all the creative activities of the company including Executive Producing the classic "Love Jones" soundtrack and the American Music Award winning 10 Million unit-selling soundtrack, "Men in Black," where he led recordings with Mariah Carey and Trey Lorenz, Snoop Dogg, 3T, Alicia Keys, and Nas. Under his leadership and direction, Columbia Records / Sony Music enjoyed its most successful years in business while Sony Music earned in excess of 100 Million dollars. Samuel Sapp Executive Produced and oversaw all creative record production with artists like Alicia Keys, Will Smith's "Getting Jiggy Wit It", Destiny's Child, and Lauryn Hill's "The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and Mariah Carey. Here he spearheaded relationships with producers and writers to create hit songs for many multi-platinum global selling recording artists like Beyonce' and Xscape featuring Kandi Burrus, currently starring in "Housewives of Atlanta," airing on Bravo Network. Sam also oversaw all of Sony Music's video production, which included multi-million dollar video shoots for Will Smith and Mariah Carey. Here he honed his production skills and keyed in on presenting visual entertainment in its best form. In 1996 Samuel Sapp formed a partnership label deal with Arista and LaFace Records named Marvellous Music where he was President of that label. There he collaborated with Grammy Award winning music producers and artists Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and Antonio "LA" Reid to negotiate and secure rights to Executive Produce a compilation soundtrack for 1996 Olympics Games in Atlanta, GA, from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Samuel led the global marketing efforts by advertising music during Olympics highlights on NBC Television worldwide for six weeks prior to 1996 Olympics and continuing throughout the competition. Mr. Sapp also negotiated artists' rights for recording of the soundtrack from various record labels and the rights to perform live on NBC at Opening & Closing Olympic Ceremonies. The result, a Grammy-nominated All-Star Compilation CD featuring Gloria Estefan, Boyz II Men, David Foster, Brian McKnight, the Boys Choir of Harlem and many others. Samuel formerly served as Vice President of Artists and Repertoire (A&R) at Mercury / Wing / under the PolyGram Records umbrella reporting directly to Ed Eckstein, the first African American President of a non minority owned US Corporation. Samuel oversaw the careers of Vanessa Williams, Tony Toni Tone', Sinbad, and worked closely with Bon Jovi. It was here where he discovered Brian McKnight in Los Angeles through a friend, at the age of 18, and signed him to his first record deal on his 19th birthday to Wing Records. Samuel, Executive Produced his first soundtrack titled Jason's Lyric, where he produced the first all male ensemble hit song "U Will Know," featuring 42 of the most successful male recording artists of that time. Here Sam followed up with the similar strategy on Panther with a classic production of an all female artists recording of "Freedom," featuring every known successful female recording artists of that time. Mr. Sapp is the recipient of many awards throughout his career including The A&R Executive of the Year Award two years in a row while at Sony Music / Columbia Records. BRE Magazines Executive of the Year Award. He is also a member of NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences) that produces the yearly Grammy Awards. A native of New Jersey, Samuel attended various schools throughout the state and attended Howard University, where he was a Business Major with a focus on Marketing. He had continued his education, at UCLA, and is currently studying for an MBA in an accelerated executive MBA Program. Samuel lives with his family in the Los Angeles area of California where he is raising two sons.