Founder and CEO of Fakework Management and Senior VP of Columbia Records DJ Mormile is nothing like your typical music executive. He wears sweatpants every day, only works with people he believes in, and never ever chases a check. Nephew to industry legend Jimmy Iovine, DJ had almost impossible shoes to fill. So he decided to forge his own path and has built an astounding career marked with massive international success.
Growing up in Staten Island with his brother James and parents, Dom and Janet, DJ was singled out for his genius level math abilities. While attending Boston College and working summers for Paine Webber on the floor at the American Stock Exchange, DJ was offered the opportunity to intern in the A&R department at Interscope Records for a month by his uncle Jimmy. While listening to demo tapes, DJ stumbled upon the group The Black Eyed Peas, and he knew immediately he had struck gold. He played the tape over and over until Jimmy took a meeting with them and later signed them. DJ went back to BC and began A&Ring from his dorm room, abandoning his previous plans of a career on Wall Street. The next summer DJ headed back to LA to intern, where he began A&Ring for emerging rap sensation Eminem alongside his partner Dean Geistlinger. DJ began working closely with Dr. Dre and formed a close bond with Eminem, even bringing him to his school to perform for his peers. To date, Eminem has sold over 100 million albums worldwide.
After graduation, DJ headed to NYC to work for Steve Stoute, who was the head of urban music at Interscope at the time, and is now the founder and CEO of Translation Marketing, a globally successful advertising agency. He later went back to LA to work for Jimmy’s new internet label he had started with the head of UMG, Doug Morris, called Jimmy and Doug’s Farm Club. The label wasn’t successful, but DJ made several important relationships and solidified his position in the industry. In 2001, he moved back to Interscope where he was an A&R for Eminem, Shady Records, G-Unit, 50 Cent, D12, Bubba Sparxx, Nelly Furtado, Keri Hilson, and Timbaland, who he partnered with on his Mosely Music label.
While at Interscope, DJ signed the rap group Jim Crow. The group never came out but the lead rapper Polow da Don ended up signing on with DJ’s newly formed management company, Fakework Management, as a producer. Polow achieved tremendous success, leading DJ to pick up powerhouse producers and songwriters including Hit Boy and Ester Dean. In the midst of starting his own management company, DJ executive produced Fergie’s album, “The Dutchess,” which went on to sell more than ten million units worldwide.
In 2006, DJ was appointed head of Urban A&R at Interscope, signing and A&Ring emerging internet sensation Soulja Boy. The uncharacteristic, low budget album went on to generate over 5 million single downloads and was the first song to ever sell 3 million digital copies in the US. In 2009 DJ became President of Urban Music at Interscope.
In 2012, DJ began working with super producer Mike Will Made It under Fakework Management, signing rap duo Rae Sremmurd under Eardrummers Records. At the end of 2012, DJ left Interscope to focus on Fakework full time. Before leaving, he A&R’d Kendrick Lamar’s debut album, “Good Kid, M.A.A.D. City”.
DJ continued building out his roster, picking up acclaimed producers S1, Soundz, and Sam Hook. He formed Fakework Sports Management, earning clients like Kenny Britt of the LA Rams and Su’a Cravens of the Washington Redskins.
In 2015, DJ became Senior VP of Columbia Records, working heavily with emerging artists Aldae Long, Camino, and Symba, who were all simultaneously signed under Fakework Management. He worked with Mike Will in facilitating Beyonce’s show-stopping single “Formation,” which made huge waves at the Grammy’s.
DJ continues to build out his management company and thrive in his career helping clients achieve success in every part of their lives. He named his company Fakework because he gets to do what he loves every day. In an industry driven by ego and greed, DJ stands apart as a shining example of the path that is forged when love and respect for artists and people come before a check. With a true commitment to help all those around him, DJ’s previous assistants including Chelsea Blythe, Tunji Balogun, and Manny Smith have all gone on to have stellar careers as A&R’s at major labels. After decades in the music business marked by consistent wins, DJ has built a career and a life with a foundation of loyalty, family, and respect.
