Phil Thornton

Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, Thornton knew that he wanted to be part of the entertainment business at age 10, and by age 15, Thornton became an intern and rising star at Arista Records.

After graduating with a marketing degree from Norfolk State University in 2003, Phil moved to New York City and started his first company, Bright Star Entertainment, an artist management/consultant firm where he represented artists such as Bad Boy Records’ Grammy award-winning group 112 and singer Lil’ Mo. In 2007, Phil settled in Los Angeles and partnered with Marcus Spence and Paul Coy Allen to form the successful Ten2One Entertainment, a multimedia, television production, artist management conglomerate.

Overseeing the artist management side of the company, Thornton has guided the careers of Faith Evans, Michelle Williams, Kenny Lattimore, and Mack Wilds. He was also responsible for launching TV One hits including “  Lisa Raye: The Real McCoy”  , which set ratings records at TV One, and “I Married A Baller,”  starring former NFL running back Eddie George and his wife Taj, of the multi-platinum recording group SWV. Thornton now serves as executive producer of TV One’s hit show “  R&B Divas Atlanta,” as well as its wildly popular spin-off “  R&B Divas L.A.”

In addition to running Ten2One, Thornton serves as Vice President and General Manager, Urban Inspirational at eOne Music, where he oversees Gospel, Christian, and R&B artists such as Erica Campbell, Michelle Williams, Shirley Caesar, Jonathan McReynolds, Lalah Hathaway, and Tweet. The company recently launched BET’s new hit show, “  It’s a Mann’s World,”   starring David and Tamela Mann.

Thornton also runs Phillionaire Worldwide Publishing/Beat Syndicate Company, his publishing arm that has co-written and produced records for a several artists including Eminem’s single ft. Bruno Mars “  Lighters,”   which garnered two BMI Awards for the Most Played Pop & Urban Records of 2011.