Bob Celestin is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia School of Law and has practiced entertainment law in New York City for over 25 years. Bob decided to become an entertainment attorney for two reasons: 1.) his love for music and 2.) he couldn’t sing or rap! Bob began his career in the music industry in 1986 as a staff attorney at Arista Records, Inc. – the home of multi-platinum recording artists Whitney Houston, Whodini and Kenny G. In 1987, he met Andre Harrell, president and founder of Uptown Records, Inc. (“Uptown”), the company responsible for the “New Jack Swing” movement merging Hip Hop and R&B, and he hired Bob to be the VP/General Manager overseeing the operating and administrative aspects of the company. While at Uptown, Bob was also responsible for the negotiation and signing of Uptown’s multi-platinum recording artists and producers such as “Mary J. Blige,” “Jodeci,” “Guy,” “Heavy D and the Boyz” and “Al B. Sure” and worked alongside Sean “P-Diddy” Combs.
In 1992, Bob went on to become the VP/General Manager of Untouchables Entertainment, Inc. (“Untouchables”), a production/management company founded by “Heavy D and the Boyz’s” producer Edward “DJ Eddie F” Ferrell and home of the groundbreaking rap duo, “Pete Rock and CL Smooth,” the R&B trio “Intro” and R&B vocalist “Donell Jones.” At Untouchables, Bob was responsible for overseeing the record and producer management division of the company and creating and implementing company-wide operating, promotional and artist development strategies. Bob then went on to work with music attorney (and his mentor) Louise West, Esq. of West Entertainment Services, LLC assisting her in the representation of clients such as “Timbaland,” “Missy Elliott” and “Ginuwine.”
In addition to being an attorney, Bob has also been a manager having co-managed the platinum selling R&B/Pop trio “City High” (“What Would You Do”). The experience of being an artist manager and having an independent label, has been invaluable in being able to provide practical and real-life advice and counsel to clients.
Bob now focuses his practice on counseling an array of domestic and international clients especially those utilizing a D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) approach to establishing, and in some cases, extending their careers.