Entertainment executive and philanthropist Dani Stephenson, who, along with founding Straight Forward Group, is a multi-Grammy, Emmy, and Billboard Award-winning producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, will be Knighted next month, on March 14.
In the world of music, Dani has worked with artists like Michael Jackson, Dr. Dre, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Lil Nas X, Megan Thee Stallion, P Diddy, Big Sean, Rita Ora, Rich The Kid, Anne Marie, Dave, and Skepta. After co-producing “The Mack,” featuring Fetty Wap and Mack Morrison, which collected more than 260,000,000 streams, Dani proceeded to sign talent to Straight Forward Music Group, including those facilitating projects such as Drake’s 5x Platinum Billboard-winning album Scorpion, Megan Thee Stallion’s 2x Grammy-winning single “Savage,” and Cardi B’s “WAP,” amassing over 1 billion streams, and Lil Nas X’s Grammy-nominated single “Montero.”
Multi-talented, and gifted with the magic touch, Dani executive-produced and composed music for Marvel’s blockbuster film Eternals, directed by Chloe Zao and starring Angelina Jolie, as well as working on the Emmy Award-winning TNT commercial ‘Inside The NBA: Kobe Bryant Tribute,’ featuring hip-hop royalty Dr. Dre.
In 2015, Dani established Straight Forward Giving to provide opportunities for deprived communities and to support charities like UNICEF, United Nations, and The Prince’s Trust Foundation. In honor of Dani’s altruism, in 2022 Dani was awarded the prestigious Points of Light for his charity’s continued nationwide contributions. Dani was invited to 10 Downing Street as one of the recipients of the momentous honor by the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.
In June 2022, out of more than 5,000 nominations, Dani was selected by an elite panel of judges, including Ade Adepitan (MBE), Gyles Brandreth, Elaine Paige (OBE), Felicity Kendal (CBE), Julie Siddiqi (MBE), Myleene Klass, and Her Royal Highness The Queen Consort herself, to receive the Platinum Champion Jubilee pin and a signed certificate from Her Royal Highness The Queen Consort on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen.
In acknowledgment of the effect of Dani’s influence on society at large, in January of this year, The British Citizen Award was bestowed on Dani Stephenson. The award was presented at The Palace of Westminster in London, England.
In addition to the previous honors, on March 14, Dani will receive the esteemed Victory of Gondar Medal and Knight Commander of The Order of The Star knighthood in Washington DC. The accolades recognize Dani’s outstanding philanthropic work and voluntary support of The Victory of Gondar memorial. The awards will be conferred by Prince Ermias Sahle-Selassie, President of the Crown Council of Ethiopia.
Relentless in his mission to help others, Dani is currently working on an educational incubator facility in Jamaica and Ethiopia to develop and encourage the next generation in music, film, and sports.
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