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| Rick Ross, Dina Marto, and City Councilman Kwanzaa Hall |
“This is the new home for Maybach Music all of their artists will be recording here and all executives will have offices here so they can get things done while they are recording music,” Marto said as she smiled at the crowd.
Ross went on to explain why he chose, out of all the recording studios in Atlanta, to make Twelve Studios the headquarters for MMG and the launching pad for the new MMG platform.
“Shakir Stewart was one of the dudes I got closest to in this game. He recorded my first two albums. I would be calling him in the middle of the night and couldn’t get a hold of him he told me ‘If you can’t reach my phone hit Dina.” Ross said “You know we see her out here grinding doing her thing and it’s only right. She knows she got family here. I’m happy she’s a part of it. She’s great at it.”
After the death of Stewart, Marto founded Twelve Studios, Twelve Music Productions, and 7th Level Projects. Marto’s hardwork and dedication earned her a proclamation from Mayor Kasim Reed, honoring her accomplishments in the music industry. Marto was born in Jordan, raised in Marietta, Ga. and attended Oglethorpe University. A true Atlantan, the budding music mogul turned down opportunities to move to L.A. or New York, because she believes in the city and its legacy of music. It’s a legacy that she has contributed to over the years. Marto even went out of her way to accommodate government officials such as city councilman Kwanza Hall who presented Marto with the proclamation.
“I was so impressed with her tenacity, I have been able to reach out to her and ask for help with various international groups that come to the city. I would call her and she would allow me to bring them by the studio to see what really happens inside of a studio that makes hits, global hits,” Hall said. “We formed a partnership from there. I am glad she’s in the city and chose to stay here.”
Marto will be overseeing Artists First, a publishing company set up to connect new artists with seasoned writers and producers. The idea came to Ross one night while he was at Twelve Studios working and realized the potential of the company and its location. Ross and Marto created
“It was an idea that came to me while I was recording. I told her to call all the producers you know. I called her one night and there was 25 producers in the studio. I said there is something special here we have to do something with this,” Ross recalled. “If we could get 50 writers and producers in a two days imagine what we could do in a ten year span. We can make a lot of dreams come true and make some big moves. I’m happy to announce we’re launching a talent search for new artists.”
Marto and Ross are looking for the hottest artists with pop and or R&B appeal, but they are also open to a different sound. When describing the type of artists they business partners are seeking out Ross smiled with pride when he began talking about one of his new artists named Ink.
“We have an artist name Ink who plays the electric guitar and she bad,” Ross says. “It’s platform meaning it’s not just Ricky Ross I’m not the only artist involved. The dope thing is as it continues to roll out and you’ll see the different flavors involved and different types of music.”
For Marto, the decision to partner with Ross wasn’t difficult to make. After all, the two have a long working history. Marto who also worked for Antonio “L.A” Reid as an A&R Coordinator at Island Def Jam comes with a well-spring of experience. She says Ross’ business savvy was a major selling point when considering teaming up with MMG.
“To be honest I’ve had so many artists and rappers approach me about doing music with them, but what made it different with Ross is not just our past relationship, he’s just so fuckin’ smart,” Marto said. “He’s built an empire with Maybach Music Group and his brand Belaire Rose, DGK and Wingstop. Everything he touches is bigger than life. I’m amazed at how hard he works and how big of a vision he has.”
For Ross, it was all about riding with someone he can trust. A person who is willing to take the kind of risk that may ruffle some feathers or spawn doubters. Ross says he believes in Dina and the two plan to "go all out."
“There’s going to be some people telling us we can’t do some things. That’s what we did and we trusted each other and that’s what team work is about,” Ross said. “Let’s enjoy it. Follow your heart and let’s go against the grain. I believe we’re going to make something special happen.”