"Built independently with a vision focused on long-term music industry infrastructure.”
Rise Up Music Group is a modern independent music company focused on helping artists grow through structure, strategy, presentation, and long-term career development in today’s music industry.
Built around the idea that talent alone is no longer enough, Rise Up combines music, media, relationships, rollout execution, and cultural positioning into one connected ecosystem designed to help independent artists move with purpose and consistency.
Our focus is creating real momentum beyond just music releases by helping artists strengthen their identity, visibility, networking, and overall presence both online and in real-world culture.
Rise Up Music Group is an independent music company founded by Kendall Walker, built from real-world experience in national radio promotion, artist development, independent distribution, and grassroots music marketing.
Before launching Rise Up Music Group into its current form, Kendall Walker gained early industry recognition through a distribution and promotion partnership orchestrated by Allen Forrest, founder of M. Republik Music Group and recognized as a Forbes Top 100 entrepreneur. During the early 2010s, M. Republik Music Group operated as a hybrid independent label utilizing major-label style systems involving terrestrial radio promotion, digital distribution, television exposure, branded entertainment, and national marketing infrastructure. According to company materials, the label worked through partnerships tied to Clear Channel/iHeartRadio programming systems, national media outlets, and Believe Media, one of the world’s largest independent music distribution and artist services companies.
Through Believe’s global digital distribution infrastructure, M. Republik releases were distributed across major platforms including iTunes, Spotify, and dozens of international digital stores worldwide. Believe has since become one of the largest independent music distribution companies globally and has worked with artists and labels connected to acts such as Russ, Chief Keef, NBA YoungBoy, Tory Lanez, G Herbo, and numerous major independent artists around the world.
Our focus includes:
-Artist positioning and career direction
-Content and rollout coordination
-Brand identity and presentation
-Industry networking and relationship building
-Performance visibility and audience growth
Rather than treating music careers like one-time campaigns, Rise Up focuses on helping artists build real momentum, stronger identity, and long-term cultural presence through consistency, structure, and execution.
Through that partnership structure, Kendall Walker’s record “My Dollars” by 808 Je$us received a nationally monitored urban radio campaign supported through M. Republik’s Artist Integration Program. The campaign generated tracked airplay across major commercial urban and rhythmic stations including Power 105.1 New York, WGCI Chicago, 106 KMEL San Francisco, Power 99 Philadelphia, K97 Memphis, 103 Jamz Norfolk, and multiple additional stations across the United States. Official RadioWave monitoring reports documented over 237 terrestrial radio detections during a single reporting week while generating more than 944,000 weekly audience impressions during the campaign’s peak.
The campaign continued posting week-over-week growth in both spins and audience reach throughout the reporting period, giving Kendall Walker rare national radio exposure as an executive producer during the 2010s era. At a time when major-label radio systems still heavily dominated music promotion, the experience provided firsthand exposure to large-scale rollout strategy, audience tracking, radio formatting, and artist campaign infrastructure.
Using the industry experience, relationships, and operational knowledge gained during those early campaigns, Kendall then focused on Rise Up Music Group. Over the years, the company established its own ecosystem built to develop independent artists, provide access to professional infastructure, marketing rollouts, media exposure, and long-term career development without depending entirely on traditional major-label systems.
Today, Rise Up Music Group operates as a hybrid independent music company focused on artist development, branding, radio promotion, media production, content marketing, booking strategy, and business development. The company combines major-label style presentation with grassroots execution while continuing to expand its work across music, visual media, touring strategy, studio partnerships, and independent artist growth campaigns.
Rise Up Music Group is an independent music company founded by Kendall Walker, built from real-world experience in national radio promotion, artist development, independent distribution, and grassroots music marketing.
Before launching Rise Up Music Group into its current form, Kendall Walker gained early industry recognition through a distribution and promotion partnership orchestrated by Allen Forrest, founder of M. Republik Music Group and recognized as a Forbes Top 100 entrepreneur. During the early 2010s, M. Republik Music Group operated as a hybrid independent label utilizing major-label style systems involving terrestrial radio promotion, digital distribution, television exposure, branded entertainment, and national marketing infrastructure. According to company materials, the label worked through partnerships tied to Clear Channel/iHeartRadio programming systems, national media outlets, and Believe Media, one of the world’s largest independent music distribution and artist services companies.
Through Believe’s global digital distribution infrastructure, M. Republik releases were distributed across major platforms including iTunes, Spotify, and dozens of international digital stores worldwide. Believe has since become one of the largest independent music distribution companies globally and has worked with artists and labels connected to acts such as Russ, Chief Keef, NBA YoungBoy, Tory Lanez, G Herbo, and numerous major independent artists around the world.
Our focus includes:
-Artist positioning and career direction
-Content and rollout coordination
-Brand identity and presentation
-Industry networking and relationship building
-Performance visibility and audience growth
Rather than treating music careers like one-time campaigns, Rise Up focuses on helping artists build real momentum, stronger identity, and long-term cultural presence through consistency, structure, and execution.
#67
RadioWave Monitor Rhythmic Top 100 Chart.
#1
iTunes Top 100 Hip Hop & Rap Songs
11M+
Listeners Reached Via Radio Campaigns
Trina Patterson is a distinguished entertainment executive, creative director, and celebrity stylist with decades of experience working alongside some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. Beginning her career at just 15 years old under legendary producer Eddie F at Untouchable Records, she went on to work alongside renowned entertainment attorney Robert Celestin and business manager Bert Padell before joining the iconic Uptown Records.
Her career spans artist development, touring, and creative collaborations with industry legends including SWV, Lil' Kim, Usher, Fabolous, Donell Jones, and Grammy Award-winning superstar Nelly. Her longstanding relationship with Nelly led to her appointment as Creative Director and Marketing Director of the iconic Apple Bottoms fashion brand.
Her contributions also include a credited hairstyling role in Nelly's hit music video “Ride wit Me,” alongside extensive experience in film, television, and celebrity branding. Patterson brings an extraordinary network of industry relationships, creative leadership, and decades of entertainment expertise to Rise Up Music Group's executive team.
#67
RadioWave Monitor Rhythmic Top 100 Chart.
#1
iTunes Top 100 Hip Hop & Rap Songs
11M+
Listeners Reached Via Radio Campaigns
Jeanna Sawyer is an accomplished entertainment executive, creative director, and talent development strategist with extensive experience in artist management, brand consulting, content creation, and entertainment operations. A former talent agent with Bloc South Talent Agency, Sawyer has built an impressive professional portfolio working with major entertainment brands and celebrated artists, including Disney, BET, K. Michelle, Chrisette Michele, B2K, and 112.
Her expertise spans talent representation, creative strategy, career development, and the business infrastructure essential to building sustainable entertainment careers.
With a passion for bridging the gap between artistic creativity and professional business infrastructure, Sawyer is dedicated to empowering artists and entertainers with the resources, relationships, and strategic guidance needed for long-term success.
As part of Rise Up Music Group's executive team, she brings valuable industry connections, proven artist development expertise, and a forward-thinking approach to expanding the company's influence across music and entertainment.
Charles Ollie Harris is a Billboard-charting music producer, accomplished musician, and entertainment executive with over three decades of experience shaping the sound of R&B, hip-hop, and gospel music. Beginning his professional career as a drummer at just 16, Harris toured with The Winans before securing production and publishing deals with Stud Rico Music, LL Cool J’s Warner Bros.-affiliated Rock the Bells label, and Tricky Stewart’s RedZone Entertainment.
His extensive career includes collaborations with industry heavyweights Dallas Austin, Mario Winans, and Sylvia Rhone, alongside production credits for Jagged Edge’s “Nothing Without You,” Blu Cantrell’s “10,000 Times,” Jersey Ave’s “Bend Over” from the Two Can Play That Game soundtrack, Ciara’s “Represent Me,” and Elijah’s “Girlfriend.”
Harris has also contributed to projects involving Yolanda Adams, Virtue, Lisa Page Brooks, the 1996 Olympic Games, Mario Judah, ESPN, and Darkchild Gospel. His continued influence includes co-producing Tasha Page-Lockhart’s Billboard-charting singles “Over and Over” (2017) and “He’s on the Way” (2026), the latter debuting at No. 10 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales chart.
Bringing an exceptional legacy of production, publishing, artist development, and industry relationships, Harris strengthens Rise Up Music Group’s executive team with decades of proven creative excellence and music industry leadership.
Trina Patterson is a distinguished entertainment executive, creative director, and celebrity stylist with decades of experience working alongside some of the biggest names in music and entertainment. Beginning her career at just 15 years old under legendary producer Eddie F at Untouchable Records, she went on to work alongside renowned entertainment attorney Robert Celestin and business manager Bert Padell before joining the iconic Uptown Records.
Her career spans artist development, touring, and creative collaborations with industry legends including SWV, Lil' Kim, Usher, Fabolous, Donell Jones, and Grammy Award-winning superstar Nelly. Her longstanding relationship with Nelly led to her appointment as Creative Director and Marketing Director of the iconic Apple Bottoms fashion brand.
Her contributions also include a credited hairstyling role in Nelly's hit music video “Ride wit Me,” alongside extensive experience in film, television, and celebrity branding. Patterson brings an extraordinary network of industry relationships, creative leadership, and decades of entertainment expertise to Rise Up Music Group's executive team.
Jeanna Sawyer is an accomplished entertainment executive, creative director, and talent development strategist with extensive experience in artist management, brand consulting, content creation, and entertainment operations. A former talent agent with Bloc South Talent Agency, Sawyer has built an impressive professional portfolio working with major entertainment brands and celebrated artists, including Disney, BET, K. Michelle, Chrisette Michele, B2K, and 112.
Her expertise spans talent representation, creative strategy, career development, and the business infrastructure essential to building sustainable entertainment careers. With a passion for bridging the gap between artistic creativity and professional business infrastructure, Sawyer is dedicated to empowering artists and entertainers with the resources, relationships, and strategic guidance needed for long-term success.
As part of Rise Up Music Group's executive team, she brings valuable industry connections, proven artist development expertise, and a forward-thinking approach to expanding the company's influence across music and entertainment.
Charles Ollie Harris is a Billboard-charting music producer, accomplished musician, and entertainment executive with over three decades of experience shaping the sound of R&B, hip-hop, and gospel music. Beginning his professional career as a drummer at just 16, Harris toured with The Winans before securing production and publishing deals with Stud Rico Music, LL Cool J’s Warner Bros.-affiliated Rock the Bells label, and Tricky Stewart’s RedZone Entertainment.
His extensive career includes collaborations with industry heavyweights Dallas Austin, Mario Winans, and Sylvia Rhone, alongside production credits for Jagged Edge’s “Nothing Without You,” Blu Cantrell’s “10,000 Times,” Jersey Ave’s “Bend Over” from the Two Can Play That Game soundtrack, Ciara’s “Represent Me,” and Elijah’s “Girlfriend.”
Harris has also contributed to projects involving Yolanda Adams, Virtue, Lisa Page Brooks, the 1996 Olympic Games, Mario Judah, ESPN, and Darkchild Gospel. His continued influence includes co-producing Tasha Page-Lockhart’s Billboard-charting singles “Over and Over” (2017) and “He’s on the Way” (2026), the latter debuting at No. 10 on Billboard’s Gospel Digital Song Sales chart.
Bringing an exceptional legacy of production, publishing, artist development, and industry relationships, Harris strengthens Rise Up Music Group’s executive team with decades of proven creative excellence and music industry leadership.
We believe consistency matters more than chasing moments, relationships still open doors, and strong presentation can change how artists are perceived before the music is even heard.
We believe independent artists need real structure, accountability, and direction to grow in today’s industry without losing their identity or creative freedom.
Rise Up Music Group operates with a long-term mindset focused on building lasting careers, stronger positioning, and real-world momentum beyond temporary attention.
As the music industry continues evolving, Rise Up Music Group is focused on building modern infrastructure that helps independent artists grow with purpose and long-term direction. We believe artists deserve more than temporary attention and inconsistent support. Our goal is to help creatives build stronger brands, better positioning, and real momentum both online and in real-world culture. Rise Up operates with a mindset centered around consistency, execution, relationships, and long-term growth. As a Black-owned independent music company, we understand the importance of culture, community, and ownership in today’s industry landscape. We continue investing into systems, media, networking, and opportunities designed to help artists move at a higher level. Our vision is to bridge music, media, influence, and community into one connected ecosystem for modern independent artists. Rise Up Music Group is building for the future while staying rooted in the culture that created it.
We believe consistency matters more than chasing moments, relationships still open doors, and strong presentation can change how artists are perceived before the music is even heard.
We believe independent artists need real structure, accountability, and direction to grow in today’s industry without losing their identity or creative freedom.
Rise Up Music Group operates with a long-term mindset focused on building lasting careers, stronger positioning, and real-world momentum beyond temporary attention.
As the music industry continues evolving, Rise Up Music Group is focused on building modern infrastructure that helps independent artists grow with purpose and long-term direction. We believe artists deserve more than temporary attention and inconsistent support. Our goal is to help creatives build stronger brands, better positioning, and real momentum both online and in real-world culture. Rise Up operates with a mindset centered around consistency, execution, relationships, and long-term growth. As a Black-owned independent music company, we understand the importance of culture, community, and ownership in today’s industry landscape. We continue investing into systems, media, networking, and opportunities designed to help artists move at a higher level. Our vision is to bridge music, media, influence, and community into one connected ecosystem for modern independent artists. Rise Up Music Group is building for the future while staying rooted in the culture that created it.
