> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Mass Appeal Lands $6 Million Investment From Universal Music, Usher, Nas, Others
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/mass-appeal-lands-6-million-investment-from-universal-music-usher-nas-others/
- Published: 2017-03-06T14:51:15.000Z
- Updated: 2017-03-06T14:51:15.000Z
- Description: Last year, Universal Music Group began investing in music focused films; and today they expanded their content interests with a big bet on NYC based graffiti/hip hop culture and lifestyle. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2017/03/mass-appeal-lands-6-million-investment-from-universal
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Major Labels, Music Business, Streaming, All Eyez on Me (film), Apple Inc., Artificial Intelligence, Associated Press, Faith Evans, New York, New York City, Series A round, The Notorious B.I.G., The Ventures, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:13

[![Massappeallogo](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d267cba8970c-150wi "Massappeallogo")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d267cba8970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com)Last year, Universal Music Group began investing in music focused films; and today they expanded their content interests with a big bet on NYC based graffiti/hip hop culture and lifestyle media company Mass Appeal.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

[![image from ds2qmv2z5ilrv.cloudfront.net](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d267cbc1970c-350wi "image from ds2qmv2z5ilrv.cloudfront.net")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d267cbc1970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com)  

Universal Music Group (UMG) led a $6 million funding round for Mass Appeal, the New York based urban media and content company. Additional investors in this Series A round include Usher, Evolution Media, Jon Jashni (Raintree Ventures), Charles King (Macro), Michael Kassan (MediaLink), Usher, Steve Stoute, Karen Lauder and existing investors White Owl Capital and Nas.

Michele Anthony, Executive Vice President of UMG, will join Mass Appeal's board of directors. The company had raised its initial seed round of $1.3 million in 2013.Founded in 1996 as a graffiti magazine, Mass Appeal's business has grown to include a record label, TV, film and commercial content, brand creative services and owned media channels across social, web and print.Last summer, Mass Appeal announced deals with TBS and TNT, including the digital animated series *Storyville* and *Think B.I.G.*, a scripted series based loosely on the life and lyrics of the late Notorious B.I.G. [![Universal-Music-Logo](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b7c8dd6e52970b-300wi "Universal-Music-Logo")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b7c8dd6e52970b-popup?ref=hypebot.com)"At Universal Music Group, we are creating new opportunities for our artists and labels to forge deeper relationships with fans around the world through music, film, television, video, social media and brand sponsorships," Anthony said. "Working with Mass Appeal, we will be able to accelerate that strategy.""Universal's reach and influence is unparalleled in music and beyond. To have a partner that owns some of the world's most compelling IP is an amazing step for our business," says Peter Bittenbender, CEO of Mass Appeal.

Related articles

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377215573_80_80.jpg)](http://hiphopwired.com/536104/notorious-b-g-faith-evans-duet-album-way/?ref=hypebot.com)[Notorious B.I.G & Faith Evans Duet Album On The Way](http://hiphopwired.com/536104/notorious-b-g-faith-evans-duet-album-way/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377020947_80_80.jpg)](http://hiphopwired.com/535059/benny-boom-working-haitian-jack-miniseries/?ref=hypebot.com)[Benny Boom Working On Haitian Jack Miniseries](http://hiphopwired.com/535059/benny-boom-working-haitian-jack-miniseries/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377149783_80_80.jpg)](http://www.xconomy.com/new-york/2017/01/31/workfusion-using-35m-in-new-cash-to-expand-in-business-automation/?ref=hypebot.com)[WorkFusion Using $35M in New Cash to Expand in Business Automation](http://www.xconomy.com/new-york/2017/01/31/workfusion-using-35m-in-new-cash-to-expand-in-business-automation/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377261357_80_80.jpg)](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/mPJQO1Ue8S0/?ref=hypebot.com)[Watch Netflix's new trailer for Marvel's Iron Fist, coming March 17](http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Techcrunch/~3/mPJQO1Ue8S0/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377312121_80_80.jpg)](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/universal-secures-rights-princes-treasure-trove-unreleased-songs/?ref=hypebot.com)[Universal secures rights to Prince's treasure trove of unreleased songs](http://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/universal-secures-rights-princes-treasure-trove-unreleased-songs/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377315187_80_80.jpg)](http://wxrt.cbslocal.com/2017/02/10/prince-entire-catalog-available-streaming/?ref=hypebot.com)[Prince's Entire Catalog will be Streaming Soon](http://wxrt.cbslocal.com/2017/02/10/prince-entire-catalog-available-streaming/?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377371187_80_80.jpg)](http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-makes-a-play-for-music-2017-2?ref=hypebot.com)[Facebook makes a play for music (FB)](http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-makes-a-play-for-music-2017-2?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377398662_80_80.jpg)](http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/162767/david-nail-leaves-mca-nashville?ref=hypebot.com)[David Nail Leaves MCA Nashville](http://www.allaccess.com/net-news/archive/story/162767/david-nail-leaves-mca-nashville?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/377326763_80_80.jpg)](https://www.neowin.net/news/princes-discography-returning-to-other-streaming-services-once-again?ref=hypebot.com)[Prince's discography returning to other streaming services once again](https://www.neowin.net/news/princes-discography-returning-to-other-streaming-services-once-again?ref=hypebot.com)