EBONY and Cadillac present C-Suite Disruptors, a portrait and profile series that highlights the journeys of top executives in the music industry while showcasing the transformative power of their leadership. Discover how these trailblazers have reshaped workplace culture, overcome hurdles, and left an indelible mark.
Sponsored by Cadillac. Photographed by Keith Major for EBONY Media.
When it comes to changing the narrative on women in business leadership, Young Money Entertainment General Manager and Executive Vice President Karen Civil could teach a masterclass. From radio intern to c-suite executive, she has earned her position among the music industry’s elite. As easy as the breeze in her new home state of California, the media mogul shared her journey with EBONY.
“Believing in myself and getting out of my comfort zone did it for me.”
-Karen Civil
Upon first encountering her carefree demeanor, it seems hard to label Karen as a “disruptor.” She has more than her fair share of receipts, however, to prove it. The marketing guru got her start working for one of the most respected names in music and parlayed that job into a groundbreaking career. “Once [radio personality] Angie Martinez gave me the chance to intern, the door of opportunity was open,” Civil shares. “I wasn’t going back.”
Young Money Entertainment General Manager and Executive Vice President Karen Civil. Photo by Keith Major for EBONY Media.
The ultimate hustler, Karen saw a unique opportunity to put her skills to use when one of hip-hop’s legendary artists, Lil Wayne, was incarcerated in 2010. She created the popular Weezythanxyou.com website which published letters from the rapper to his fans during his time in prison. Upon his release, the site turned into a dedicated hub for Wayne’s content leading up to the release of Tha Carter IV. This was merely the beginning of what would become a longstanding relationship with Young Money Entertainment, culminating in her appointment as General Manager and Executive Vice President last year.
Over the years, Civil’s skills have been tapped by a range of notables from the late great Nipsey Hussle to former United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. The multi-hyphenate has even flexed her skills in the area of music production, proving she’s a jack of all trades.
“When I was trying to figure out who I was, there was Da Brat. She was the first female to go platinum.”
-Karen Civil
Despite Karen Civil’s success, navigating the music industry hasn’t come without its challenges. “The frustrating part is people continuously trying to project onto you,” she says. This includes combating micro-aggressions and stereotypes in the industry that perpetuate the false notion that Black people who are educated, articulate, and poised, are somehow atypical or rarities among the general population. She mentions having to set the record straight quite often. “Yes, Black folks articulate. Yes, they go to college. Yes, they know how to speak.”
Young Money Entertainment General Manager and Executive Vice President Karen Civil. Photo by Keith Major for EBONY Media.
Conscious of those that have paved the way for her to be in the space that she now thrives in, Civil acknowledges the women who have shifted the industry before her, specifically in hip-hop. Reflecting on the culture’s 50th anniversary, Karen says that women in the rap game were a major inspiration for her career trajectory. “When I was trying to figure out who I was, there was Da Brat. She was the first female to go platinum.”
Karen cites her relocation to Los Angeles as a major turning point in her career. “I didn’t have family out there, so believing in myself and getting out of my comfort zone did it for me. I had to navigate uncharted waters as soon as I touched down in Los Angeles.”
One of the most important lessons that Karen Civil has learned along the way? Remaining open to—and not resisting—life’s ebbs and flows. “You’re gonna have your ups and downs. Life is like a roller coaster, and though I hate roller coasters, I love life,” she says. Living by this mantra and being unafraid to seize the moment seems to be this executive’s recipe for success. So, the rest of us will have to just wait and see what Ms. Civil has up her sleeve next.
