Cortez Bryant is a music industry veteran and the ex-manager of both Drake and Lil Wayne.

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Cortez Bryant went to Eleanor McMain Secondary School where he became early friends with long time business associate Lil Wayne.

In high school Bryant was a varsity basketball and track letterman, and captain of the school’s marching band.

Cortez was also classmates with other famous rappers like Mack Maine and Curren$y.

He earned a band scholarship to Jackson State University where he graduated with a degree in communications and graphic design.

He was the leader of the drumline and a member of Kappa Kappa Psi.

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Bryant was always good with a camera and eventually pursued internships at local news stations, public-access television, and Jackson State's production studio.

After graduation he was offered a job with CNN, but decided to take a more lucrative gig as Lil Wayne's manager.

Shortly afterwards he founded Bryant Management and merged with Gee Roberson’s Hip Hop Since 1978 to create The Blueprint Group.

At that same time Wayne and Bryant launched Young Money Entertainment, in partnership with Cash Money Records, and helped launch the careers of Drake, Nicki Minaj, G-Eazy and more.

In 2012 Bryant created a $500,000 music endowment at the HBCU, and in 2016 he served on the school’s notable alumni panel.

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Eventually Lil Wayne stepped down as president and Cortez took his place.

Bryant is also a partner in Maverick Management, a company that manages artists such as The Weeknd, U2, Madonna, Miley Cyrus, and many more.

Bryant is considered an expert negotiator, having closed deals with major brands like Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Jordan Brand, Samsung, Beats By Dre, Apartments.com, and many more.

He's also got a few film credits, having produced Nicki Minaj's "My Truth" miniseries and Drake's TV movie documentary "Better Than Good Enough".

He's also acted in Birdman's video short "Y.U.

Mad" and played himself in the 2009 The Carter video documentary.

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In 2018 Lil Wayne parted ways with long time manager, Cortez Bryant.

In 2019 Bryant and Mack Maine were sued by Lil Wayne's lawyer, Ronald Sweeney, over accusations that they conspired to get him fired.

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Bryant has been regarded as one of the most innovative figures in the music industry.

He's regularly appeared in Power 100's 40 Under 40 feature and Urban Power Issue, Complex lauded him as one of the "25 Most Powerful People in Rap," and he's been on the Billboard 100 Power List 6 times.

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