Benny Pough shares his 30-year journey and how life’s unexpected challenge inspired him with a new directive

Benny Pough’s lineage of success stems back to the days of Motown.  Pough’s innovative and business savviness has allowed him to leave his blueprint and his instrumental creativity on some the greatest record labels in the music industry. He has worked with the best of the best when it comes to musical geniuses. The legacy of his prolific career, crosses barriers that many aspire to achieve.  While on tour in Atlanta to promote his new book- “On Impact: Life, Leadership & Betting On Yourself,” Pough sat down with ATL Plus Magazine and shared his testament of success and his near fatal face to face encounter with death.  

‍

A Stellar Performance

Pough can be credited as one of the few interns that was given the opportunity to gain a foundation in the music industry- allotting him the opportunity to begin his training at the legendary haven of musical greats- Motown Records, who in return, never originally had any aspirations to be in the music industry.  

While performing at the Stellar on 96^th and Broadway in New York, as a standup comedian in college, Pough was recognized by the Regional Director of Promotions.  After the show, Pough was asked to be her intern.  Clueless as to what an intern was, Pough accepted the offer and from there, HIStory began.  It was then, that Pough fell in love with music, and was introduced to the business, and radio promotions.  Recalling, Pough recanted on how quickly it was to create a star from 0-12 weeks; all because of the power of radio.  Motown became the segue to Pough being given the favorable opportunity to work with the infamous Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis on Perspective Records, as National Director of Promotions.    

‍

Benny Pough’s Blueprint:  A Master of Promotions, Marketing and Recognizing Talent 

Pough’s climb up the corporate ladder skyrocketed.  After leaving Perspective Records, Pough moved to Washington, D.C. to work with Arista Records.  Inspired, Pough was able to see the results of “pitch and sell” after the local radio station where he worked, was the only one that played Monica’s hit song, “Just one of those days.”  This was very important to Pough as he was able to see the “culmination of great artistry, with an amazing team lead to a solid record, which ultimately developed into a very sustainable career.”   

Pough continued to soar. He went on to work with MCA Records, promoting iconic albums with Mary J. Blige, Macy Gray, “On How Life Is,” The Roots, Erykah Badu’s, “You Got Me,” Chante Moore, “Chante’s Got a Man,” and giving Common his first number one hit.  His work also included reunion tours like Guy and New Edition- just to name a few.  In 2003, Pough went on to work on Def Jam Records with Hip Hop and R &B Moguls such as award winning and acclaimed artists like, Rhianna, Neo, Rick Ross, Jeremih, Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey on her “Emancipation of Mimi” album.  Continuing to excel, Pough went on to do “Epic” work. While at Epic Records, he continued to lay his blueprint working with the careers of Grammy winner Future, Travis Scott, and Atlanta’s very own, Rapper Cash Out.  During his interim at Epic, Pough received his second largest promotion of his career: Second Executive Vice President.  Although this was a historical and proud moment in his career, he did not allow this promotion to settle him. Pough is like a river.  He continues to ebb and flow.  

Pough’s final stint in the music industry before launching his own brand, ended at one of the most respected and revered record companies- Roc Nation Records, as President.  If that ain’t some APESHIT! As President, Pough’s position awarded him the opportunity to release a record breaking 18 albums; and in 2018, including the first #1 Urban Radio single, APESHIT, from The Carters.  It was also during this quintessential time period in his life, and the peak of his career that he had a one-on-one encounter with death that impacted his total mindset.  

On Impact: (Intuition, Mastery, Pivot, Authenticity, Connect and Teamwork)  

While riding as a passenger in a car, traveling at the high rate of speed of 90mph, the car hit a tree that nearly robbed Pough of his life.  The severity of the accident left him with a lacerated liver, a concussion, a fracture in his vertebrae, loosing half of his blood supply accompanied by peremptory physical scars and damages to his intestines and other organs.  During this traumatic and near death event, Pough had an encounter with God that inspired him to write his book, which is also a number one best seller on Amazon, “On Impact: Life, Leadership & Betting On Yourself.”  

“The time was right to step out and bet on myself.”

Betting on himself is exactly what he did.  With 30 years of knowledge, marketing, and production under his belt, and working with seven different labels, Pough expanded his entrepreneurial talents and launched D. Verse Media as CEO.  His book “On Impact” is the first book under Benny Pough, LLC–a division of D. Verse Media. Pough is currently on tour promoting his book.  Readers can expect to find a collection of reflective stories introducing Pough at the age of eleven, navigating the reader through the stages of his life that reveals his vulnerability through the lens of transparency.  The book also provides the readers with a “hit list” after each chapter as a take- away that can be applied to their individual life. Pough showcased a “live version” of the book while on tour “It’s Your Time,” conference in Charlotte, NC., earlier this year. The conference granted entrepreneurs two full days of auditions, networking and workshops with financiers to assist them with navigating their way by giving them the opportunity to talk with “real folk.”  The tour ended with granting one fortunate individual $10K to “bet on themselves” allowing them the discretion to “curate themselves and become a successful artist.”    

As words of wisdom, Pough advised for anyone who aspires to become an entrepreneur in any industry, “you must first become a student of the game; that you must actually do the work of resource, set yourself up with a team who is going to go with you on the journey, and most importantly, do the work. Take the time, be committed and never give up- BET ON YOURSELF.”  By doing so, undoubtedly, you are sure to win! 

You can follow Benny Pough on Instagram @BennyPough or https://BennyPough.com 

‍