Who's Rising As Hip-Hop Booms? Executives of color are still noticeably outnumbered in the music industry's highest echelons, even as black culture drives the business. Here are some of their experiences.

The article examines the lack of top African American executives in the U.S. music industry despite the rising popularity of rhythm and blues (R&B) and hip-hop music. According to Nielsen Music, consumption of R&B/hip-hop music increased by 19.2 percent in the first quarter of 2018 over the prior-year quarter. Recent promotions of African American executives at music companies include Tunji Balogun as executive vice president of artists and repertoire at RCA Records, as of April 2018.