Management Company

   Over the past two decades, Mount Vernon has distinguished itself as a music mecca. Affectionately referred to as 'Money Earnin' Mount Vernon,' this Westchester county has produced some of the most prolific producers, songwriters, singers, music industry executives of our time, and boasts an impressive list of music pioneers who have made invaluable contributions to the genre of Rap / Hip-Hop music.
   Born in Mount Vernon, Ray Copeland attended the Mount Vernon high School. Amidst an atmosphere of creativity and change, he shared classes, and dreams with the likes of Eddie F., Heavy D., Pete Rock, C.L. Smooth, Sean "Puffy" Combs, and in turn witnessed the evolution of rap / Hip-Hop first hand. And while he enjoyed, and was enthused by the emergence of this bold new sound, he decided that his career would take a different path- in academia.
   Completing high school, he went on to college to pursue undergraduate studies in Psychology. Upon graduation, he commenced his career in education as a provisional teacher and guidance counselor. His concern for others and an innate sense of community service propelled him to offer tuition services to the incarcerated youth program for Westchester and the inmates at Rikers island.
   And while Mr. Copeland arduously toiled in the classroom, molding the minds and nurturing th dreams of our youth, Rap / Hip-Hop music was forging new frontiers, breaking down barriers and making an inroad to Middle America. Many of his friends and associates from Westchester had heralded great successes as artists, producers, executives, and entrepreneurs in the music business. One such team was the Ruff Ryders Records Camp, headed by the Dean brothers and their sister Chivon. Also from the Westchester area, the Deans had always been close friends to Ray Copeland and their premier artist ­ DMX (who incidentally is Ray Copeland's nephew), had firmly established himself as a strong musical force of contention. Along with Darkman X, the Ruff Ryders Team had amassed an impressive roster of artists that included: Drag-On, Eve, and Parle. They needed someone who cared enough about the artist and the music, and who possessed the street savvy and the business acumen to guide and direct the careers of their clients. Ray Copeland was the obvious choice.
   So... he left behind a world of classrooms and chalk, and set his sights to the creation of a management company that would have one goal‹the education and well being of the artist.
   As the CEO/President of BAR ENTERTAINMENT, Ray Copeland has created a home for his artists. Known as Uncle Ray he is proud of the environment of genuine care and concern that exists in his company, and has successfully transferred his training in helping his students realize their full potential to helping his artists reach for their dreams. "I look at the artist/management relationship as a partnership, in which each entity has a certain responsibility. As long as both partners remain committed to their individual resposibilities, the relationship thrives as a whole." States Ray.
   BAR ENTERTAINMENT currently handles the careers of DMX, DRAG-ON, PARLE, YUKMOUTH, AND A+. And just for the records, A+ is not only the artist managed by Ray Copeland, it is the passing grade that each of his clients has awarded him.