Meet The Team
The powerhouse leaders behind CodeSwitch, bringing decades of music industry expertise and a passion for empowering independent artists.
Jesse "JB" Brown
Jesse "JB" Brown is a marketer, artist developer, and culture-forward executive redefining how independent artists and entertainment brands scale in a digital-first world. As the CEO, Co-Founder, and Head of Music & Commercial Partnerships at CodeSwitch Agency, Brown leads with a mission he describes simply: "I fight for visibility and commercial partnerships for our artists at the DSPs." His focus is clear — eliminating misinformation, elevating artist access, and building a modern infrastructure where creatives can thrive on their own terms. A Long Island native from the same hometown as Prodigy from Mobb Deep, Brown entered the music industry in 2014. His early years were scrappy and formative: road-managing for Tee The Barber and Lil Scrappy across Atlanta, developing industry connections with relentless drive, and learning the mechanics of booking and touring. A former all-state football standout and lacrosse scholarship athlete at Adelphi, Brown taught himself Pro Tools by watching thousands of hours of YouTube, learning to mix, write, develop talent, and build his creative toolkit from the ground up. Across the past decade, Brown has worked on campaigns for Lil Tecca ("Ransom"), Vybz Kartel, Ugly God, Pop Smoke, Alamo Records, Heinz, United Nations, Grace Foods, and more, earning a reputation as the go-to marketing and Billboard strategist for viral growth and cultural breakthrough. His most ambitious contribution, alongside partner Justin Pride, is AIRtool — a groundbreaking Artist Invest Resource designed to give independent artists access to fair, non-predatory funding.
Songwriter credits: Bel-Air (Peacock/Will Smith), Sweet Pea & All The Girls (Starz), Sex Life Of College Girls & Rap Sh!t (HBO/Issa Rae), Fuckboy Island (HBO Max). Campaigns: Saweetie, Ro James, Omeretta "Not Atlanta", Quavo celebrity events, WNBA Atlanta Dream, NPR, & more.
Justin Pride
Justin Pride has built his career on clarity of vision, strategic discipline, and an unwavering commitment to culture. As COO, Co-Founder, and Head of Strategy & Business Development at CodeSwitch Agency, he is the operational engine behind one of the industry's fastest-growing independent culture firms. Known for his mantra — "My job is to keep the train on the tracks" — Pride oversees internal processes, partnerships, campaign architecture, and the systems that keep CodeSwitch competitive, efficient, and culturally resonant. Pride began his career in 2014 developing artists through trial, error, and early mentorship. His first mentor, Trea Davenport (Trea Day PR), exposed him to touring and grassroots PR before he transitioned into major-level strategy under powerhouse executive Phylicia Fant at The Purple Agency. There, Pride contributed to campaigns for Teddy Walton, Daniel Caesar (Grammy red carpet 2020), Hitmaka, G Herbo (PTSD), Shy Glizzy, Trippie Redd, Omeretta, K Camp, Snow Aalegra, Lucky Daye, and Wynne — rising from Strategist to Head of East Coast Operations and Head of Hip-Hop Strategy. Co-founding CodeSwitch with partner Jesse Brown marked a new chapter. Under Pride's leadership, the agency has executed 50+ artist campaigns, driven 60–70+ rollouts, generated significant revenue within its first three years, and built a strong pipeline of cultural, brand, tech, and entertainment partners. A Morehouse graduate (magna cum laude) and USC Annenberg master's alum, Pride is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., NABJ, and the Recording Academy.
Daniel Caesar, G Herbo (PTSD), Trippie Redd, Hitmaka, Omeretta, Shy Glizzy, K Camp, Snow Aalegra, Lucky Daye, Teddy Walton, The Purple Agency, UMG Nashville, Amazon Studios, Red Bull, Slangfest (Executive Producer), & more.
Sean Hill
Sean Hill is a New Jersey–bred music executive, talent manager, and A&R whose career is defined by instinct — the kind you can't teach. As Head of A&R and a Partner at CodeSwitch Agency, Hill has built a reputation for identifying stars before the world sees them. With roots tracing back to the legacy of the Sugar Hill Gang and a decade in the business, Hill's ear and intuition have become his calling card. His breakthrough came when he discovered and developed Coi Leray from the ground up — securing her first show at SOB's, investing personally in her career, and ultimately landing a $5.5 million record deal with Republic Records. Mentored by industry veteran Bruce Carbone (Def Jam A&R behind The Notorious B.I.G. and early Lil Wayne), Hill went on to contribute to artist development, touring, and creative strategy for A Boogie, Trippie Redd, and producers behind viral records with Chris Brown and DaniLeigh. Hill's process is disciplined and holistic — evaluating work ethic, consistency, and cultural potential before stepping in. His mission at CodeSwitch is to find the next generation of talent and shape an ecosystem where artists are developed with care, clarity, and cultural responsibility. As he puts it: "I listen more than I talk. If I put the work in, the money will come."
Coi Leray, Republic Records, A Boogie, Trippie Redd, Chris Brown, DaniLeigh, & more.
Morgan-Tierra Ukaonu
Morgan-Tierra Ukaonu is an Atlanta native and multidisciplinary creative serving as Community Manager at CodeSwitch Agency, where she leads social strategy, creative storytelling, and community engagement for independent artists. Her creative journey has always been rooted in belief — in the power of ideas, in the value of imagination, and in the understanding that creativity multiplies when it's shared. With roots in the film and television industry and over a decade of experience across production, agency, and creative environments, she has contributed to major projects including BMF, Concrete Cowboy, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Genius: Aretha, Creed, A Jazzman's Blues, and Dolly Parton's Heartstrings. After transitioning into creative strategy and marketing, Morgan-Tierra began applying that foundation to shaping campaigns, content ecosystems, and community-driven platforms. Now working in the music industry, she focuses on shaping authentic artist narratives and amplifying CodeSwitch as a trusted creative and strategic partner. Her work lives at the intersection of content, culture, and strategy, centered on amplifying voices, refining stories, and creating work that lasts.
BMF, Concrete Cowboy, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Genius: Aretha, Creed, A Jazzman's Blues, Dolly Parton's Heartstrings.
Our Advisors
Industry legends guiding our vision with decades of proven success
Al Branch
CMO - Blueprint Group
Has engineered and executed campaigns for some of the most influential albums in music history, including Kanye West's "The College Dropout" and "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy," JAY-Z's "The Blueprint," Missy Elliott's "Miss E...So Addictive," and Drake's "Thank Me Later." He has fostered the careers of two billionaires (JAY-Z and Kanye West) at their onset and has aligned talent with brand juggernauts like Nike, Pepsi, Hennessy, and Sprite.
The Blueprint Group has been listed on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list five times.
Cortez Bryant
CEO - Blueprint Group
His career has galvanized game-changing talents such as Lil Wayne, Drake, and Nicki Minaj. He has been featured on the cover of Billboard Magazine and consistently appears on coveted lists like "Power 100" and R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players. He was also recognized by Complex as one of the "25 Most Powerful People in Rap." Cortez Bryant also dedicates time to educating and mentoring future executives through the Cortez Bryant Foundation.
Featured on Billboard Magazine cover, recognized on "Power 100" and R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players lists, named one of "25 Most Powerful People in Rap" by Complex.
Phylicia Fant
Head of Industry Partnerships - Amazon Music
Has worked on campaigns for artists such as Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, Kid Cudi, Prince, Gary Clark Jr., Bebe Rexha, Beyoncé, Solange, and Leon Bridges, as well as for Drake's OVO Sound label, Polo G, Chloe x Halle, and Lil Nas X. She also founded her own public relations firm, The Purple Agency, which specializes in publicity and partnerships for clients like Daniel Caesar, Swizz Beatz, Luis Fonsi, Coca-Cola, and HBO.
Named to Billboard's Women in Music list in both 2019 and 2020. Honored at the 2021 ASCAP Women Behind the Music Event.
Corey "Mr. Hanky" Denard
Multi-Platinum Record Producer
Known for producing several club hits for artists like Young Jeezy, Usher, Gucci Mane, Nicki Minaj, Yo Gotti, City Girls, and Young Dolph. He started his career working with artists such as Soulja Boy, V.I.C., and Ying Yang Twins. He has worked with Fabolous, Plies, Wale, Travis Porter, Dae Dae, YFN Lucci, and Queen Naija.
Produced chart-topping songs including "California" (featuring Young Dolph, Rico Barrino, and T.I.), "On the Way" (with DJ Luke Nasty), and "Smile Bitch/Living My Best Life" (by Lil Duval ft. Snoop Dogg and Ball Greezy). Also produced the viral sensation "Twerkulator" by City Girls.