Barry Hankerson facts for kids

Barry Hankerson, born on August 3, 1947, is an American music expert. He is known for producing music, owning a record label, and managing artists. He started Blackground Records and is the uncle of the famous singer and actress Aaliyah.

Barry Hankerson's Career in Music

Barry Hankerson grew up in Harlem, New York City. He went to Central State University in Ohio, where he studied sociology. He also played football there. After college, he tried out for the New York Jets football team. Later, he moved to Detroit, Michigan. In the 1970s, he worked to help organize communities for mayor Coleman Young.

Later, Barry Hankerson started working in the entertainment world. He helped make the 1976 movie Pipe Dreams. He even acted in it with his wife at the time, Gladys Knight. In 1988, he also produced a play called Don't Get God Started by Ron Milner.

Starting Blackground Records

In 1993, Hankerson created his own record label called Blackground. He started it because he had trouble getting big record labels to sign his niece, Aaliyah. He used his connection with singer R. Kelly, whom he managed at the time.

Hankerson made a deal with Jive to help release Aaliyah's first album. This album was called Age Ain't Nothing but a Number. The label was first named Blackground Enterprises. It later changed its name to Blackground Entertainment. In 2000, it became Blackground Records.

Blackground Records also worked with a music publishing company. This company was founded by Hankerson and was called Black Fountain Music. Barry Hankerson was Aaliyah's manager until 1995. After that, her father, Michael Haughton, took over. Aaliyah stayed with his label until her passing in 2001.

Managing Other Artists

Besides Aaliyah, Hankerson also managed and produced music for other artists. He worked with the group The Winans. He even played percussion on their albums Let My People Go and Decisions. He also managed the popular singer Toni Braxton.

Supporting Political Causes

Barry Hankerson has been a big supporter of Barack Obama. He gave a lot of help to both of Obama's election campaigns. In 2012, he produced a movie about Obama. The movie was called The Obama Effect. It was made for his new company, Blackground Pictures. The film was directed by Charles S. Dutton. It starred Charles S. Dutton, Katt Williams, and Meagan Good.

Barry Hankerson's Family Life

Barry Hankerson married Gladys Knight in October 1974. They were married for four years before they divorced. He has one daughter and two sons from different relationships. His son Shanga-Ali Hankerson is with Gladys Knight. His oldest son, Jomo Hankerson, is from an earlier marriage.

Hankerson married his current wife, Kathy, in June 2007. They have four children together. Their three sons are Jibreel Ali, River Ali, and Che Ali Hankerson. They also have one daughter named Suhana Noor Hankerson. Barry Hankerson is the brother of Diane Haughton. He is also the uncle to Diane and Michael Haughton's two children. These children are the R&B singer Aaliyah and Rashad Haughton.