John Legend is embarking on a fresh professional chapter after signing with Roc Nation for management, concluding a nearly two-decade partnership with long-term manager Ty Stiklorius and her firm, Friends at Work, according to complex.com.
The move places the multi-Grammy-winning artist under the direction of Roc Nation CEO Jay Brown. Legend now joins a high-profile roster that includes the likes of Rihanna, Megan Thee Stallion and A$AP Rocky. While the exact timing of the transition remains private, the singer was still represented by Friends at Work as recently as February.
This is the conclusion of one of the music industry’s most enduring alliances. Stiklorius began working with Legend in 2006, eventually becoming his full-time manager and a central figure in his rise to superstardom. Together, they launched JL Ventures and Get Lifted Film Co., producing acclaimed projects such as La La Land and the documentary Atlanta’s Missing and Murdered.
In a statement regarding the transition, Stiklorius reflected on their shared history, noting that 20 years is “a lifetime” in the music business. She expressed pride in their work, which she described as being rooted in creativity and trust, while confirming she is passing the “management baton” to Jay Brown.
Despite the change in music management, the professional ties between the two are not fully severed. Stiklorius confirmed she will remain a partner in the various for-profit and non-profit ventures they established together, including Get Lifted Film Co., and vowed to remain Legend’s “biggest champion” as he moves forward with Roc Nation.
