Tom Silverman

Tom Silverman—the Tommy in Tommy Boy Entertainment—founded the label in 1981, and in its 35 years blessed the world with the likes of Afrika Bambaataa, De La Soul, Queen Latifah, House Of Pain, Digital Underground and scores more.

From his seminal 1970s Dance Music Report newsletter to inking one of the first major label distribution deals with Warner Bros. Records to riding the recent EDM wave, Silverman’s earned his industry bona fides through five decades of music.