Today we’d like to introduce you to CORY TAYLOR.
Hi CORY, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I am a Virginia-born music and entertainment executive whose career has been defined by one thing above all else: believing in people and knowing how to turn talent, relationships, and opportunity into something bigger.
For more than two decades, I believe I have built a reputation as a trusted manager, artist advocate, entertainment strategist, producer, talent developer, and connector within the music and television industries. His journey has taken him from working behind the scenes with some of R&B’s most celebrated artists to developing television projects, discovering emerging talent, creating platforms for artists, and helping established acts reconnect with new generations of audiences.
My journey in the entertainment industry started in 2005, when I began working as the day manager for Coko of SWV. What started as an opportunity quickly became a career and a calling. I went on to become SWV’s full-time manager, helping navigate their comeback and opening the door to opportunities that would shape the next chapter of my life.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with and managing incredible artists, including SWV, 702, Meelah, and others, while also developing projects in television, media, and entertainment. I executive-produced SWV Reunited and The Coko & Cory Show, worked in talent scouting with American Idol, and built my own company, 21 Voices Entertainment.
One of the most meaningful chapters has been my relationship with SWV and 702. I helped reunite the 702 in 2017 and have continued to manage and guide them through a new era, including their Queens of R&B Tour and their upcoming 30th-anniversary celebration.
Today, I see myself as much more than a manager. I’m an entertainment executive, producer, entrepreneur, mentor, and motivational speaker. My journey has been filled with incredible highs and some very difficult lows, but every experience has taught me something. I’ve learned that relationships, loyalty, perseverance, faith, and believing in people can take you places that talent alone cannot.
I’m still building, still creating, and still believing that my best chapters are ahead of me.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it’s not always smooth at all. Working in this business, just like any business comes with good days and bad days. And honestly, I’m thankful for both. The good days have given me reasons to celebrate, while the bad days have shaken me, challenged me, and helped shape me into the person I am today. Every experience has taught me something and prepared me to continue this journey that I’m on.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
MUSIC EXECUTIVE • ARTIST MANAGER • ENTERTAINMENT STRATEGIST • PRODUCER
TALENT DEVELOPER • ENTREPRENEUR
A career built on relationships, vision, perseverance, and creating opportunities for artists.
I began my professional career in the mid-2000s working with Cheryl “Coko” Clemons of the Grammy-nominated, multi-platinum group SWV. What began as a day-management position developed into a full-time management relationship and ultimately expanded into his work with SWV as a group. During that period, I was involved in artist development, recording projects, touring, business affairs, television opportunities, and the continued expansion of the SWV brand.
My career has continued to grow through my work with artists including 702, Faith Evans, Black Street, 112, Dru Hill, Mario Winans, Tweet, Carl Thomas, Bobby V, Musiq Soulchild, RL of NEXT, Jim Jones, Shanice Wilson, Sunshine Anderson, Lil’ Mo, Glenn Lewis, Derek Blanks, Mike Bivins, Ronnie Devoe and others. My experience spans management, bookings, brand development, television, music, touring, media, and strategic partnerships.
I am the founder of 21 Voices Entertainment, a management and entertainment consulting company created around his passion for artist development and helping artists build sustainable careers. He also founded RnB Spotlight, a platform created to give emerging R&B artists a legitimate stage and access to industry exposure. The showcase featured established stars alongside developing talent and became an important platform within the R&B community, including recognition from BET.
My television résumé includes helping secure and executive produce WE tv’s SWV Reunited, which debuted as the network’s highest-rated freshman series at the time. I also co-starred alongside Coko in The Coko and Cory Show, which was syndicated across more than 40 radio stations.
(What I am known for)
I would like to say my ability to recognize talent extends beyond established artists. I was selected as a talent scout for American Idol, helping search for new talent for the show’s 20th season. I have also worked with media brands including VIBE, BET, etc. where I contributed to the discovery and development of emerging artists.
One of the defining chapters of my career has been my relationship with 702. In 2017, I help reunite the platinum-selling R&B group and have continued to guide the group as its manager. In 2024, I secured 702’s participation in the highly successful Queens of R&B Tour, alongside SWV, Xscape, Total, and Mýa, introducing 702’s music and legacy to another generation of R&B fans.
Today, I remains focused on building the next chapter of 702 while honoring the group’s history. As the group approaches its 30th anniversary in 2026, I am helping develop a broader anniversary campaign encompassing music, live performances, media, television, digital content, strategic partnerships, and opportunities that celebrate the legacy of Kameelah “Meelah” Williams and LeMisha Fields, while continuing to honor the life and legacy of Irish Grinstead.
My current work extends beyond traditional artist management. I am working on developing new entertainment and media opportunities, working on television and documentary concepts, developing artist and brand partnerships, creating live-performance opportunities, and connecting established artists with new platforms and audiences. My work with Grammy-winning, multi-platinum artists—including his recent development work with Faith Evans on television documentary projects—reflects his continued evolution as an entertainment executive and producer.
But my story is about more than credits, artists, television shows, or business accomplishments.
It is about relationships.
I have built my career on loyalty, perseverance, faith, and the belief that success is not simply about getting into a room—it is about knowing what to do once you get there and making sure other people have an opportunity to enter that room as well.
I have experienced tremendous success, but he has also experienced profound personal challenges that have shaped the man I am today. Through every chapter, I always try to approach life and my career with gratitude, resilience, and a commitment to helping others. My philosophy is simple: stay connected to God, stay true to yourself, take care of the people who believe in you, and never forget where you came from.
(What sets me apart from others)
I am a builder, connector, storyteller, advocate, and entertainment executive who has spent my career helping artists find their next opportunity and is now focused on creating the next chapter of my own legacy.
Above all, I give all glory to God, whom I credits as the source of every blessing, every opportunity, and every chapter of my journey.
How do you think about happiness?
When people ask what makes me happy, I don’t know always how to answer. But I do know that I love helping people, and that brings me great joy. I really love encouraging others and pushing them to reach their full potential. What makes me the happiest, though, is knowing God’s hands has always been on my life. Despite everything life has thrown my way, He has never forgotten me. Every day, He reminds me that He still believes in me and that there is more work for me to do. The journey continues.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/corytaylorva
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/corytaylorva/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cory.taylor.545/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@corytaylorva?lang=en
