Rest in Peace: Jheryl Busby

For the second time in less than a week, The Professional is shocked and saddened by the passing of one of her favorite recording industry executives.

Jheryl Busby was the head of the Urban division of DreamWorks Records when The Professional began her career in music at that label. She remembers Mr. Busby as being a loved and highly respected figure amongst her colleagues--someone who executed his work with a type of confidence coupled with gentleness that was, and continues to be, very rare within the industry.

Once, while being retained by the label as an independent contractor, one of the company's finance executives refused to pay out The Professional's invoice. It was Mr. Busby who called The Professional personally, and made good on his promise to immediately correct the problem. This example, and countless others that she knows about within Mr. Busby's professional and personal lives are illustrative of the type of compassionate and generous person he was.

Though he was not a perfect man, he was indeed a fair one. The Professional will miss Mr. Busby and the contributions he made to the fabric of the black music landscape.

The Professional last saw Mr. Busby in March, 2004 at the hospital which her best and most favorite friend (his nephew) passed away at after a horrible motorcycle accident. She & Mr. Busby grasped hands in a brief yet desperate moment of prayer as they both struggled to keep it together in light of the tragic circumstances. Mr. Busby, Amon is surely comforted that you are now joining him in heaven. You take care :-)