MUSIC BUSINESS HUMAN

KeiSaundra “Kei” Henderson is a Grammy Award-winning music executive, creative entrepreneur, and cultural visionary. With an unparalleled dedication to her craft and a passion for creating meaningful impact, Kei has made a lasting mark in the music industry.

Kei's journey into music was shaped by her diverse tastes and love for hip-hop. While earning her B.A. in Print Journalism at Elon University, Kei began her career with internships at The Source and Complex Media, leading to key roles at Complex Media and 10.Deep Clothing, overseeing notable collaborations with artists such as Future, The Migos, Trinidad James, and brands like Timberland and Studio One.

Kei’s pivotal moment kicked off after connecting with 21 Savage through underground legend, rapper, and songwriter Key!, becoming 21 Savage’s manager in 2015. Her strategic guidance and astute A&R skills contributed to 21 Savage's transformation into a Grammy Award-winning artist, solidifying Kei's reputation as a visionary leader in the music industry.

In 2018, Kei co-founded SinceThe80’s / Motown, an influential Atlanta-based label where she started cultivating her philosophy of artist development. Demonstrating a commitment to wellness, Kei took a partial career hiatus in 2019 to focus on her mental health, which became a pillar of her philosophy for developing the complete artist. The following year, during the Coronavirus epidemic, Kei launched 2NDBDRM, a destination for buyers with taste and aspirational living goals.

Kei established Third & Hayden in 2021, aiming to foster an artist-aligned environment through equity, transparency, and creative expression. Kei's artist roster at Third & Hayden is impressively diverse, from rap to folk-inspired vibes, including rapper Ben Reilly (Fourmatic Records + Third & Hayden), Buddy, Key!, Jordan Hawkins, Zyah Belle, and Annahstasia.

Kei's work extends beyond the industry, as she is an active member of BMC: Black Music Collective and BMAC: Black Music Action Coalition. She is also involved in mentoring activities with organizations such as Project-GoDark and Femme it Forward.

Kei has vision and takes an intentional approach to everything she does. An unwavering faith in herself and what she's building is key to her success as an entrepreneur and artist. According to Kei, "Faith is the strongest thing you can have," and everything has its timing -- greatness doesn’t happen overnight, but "Peace X Piece®," step by step.