Steve Stoute is an advertising and music industry entrepreneur. He is the founder and CEO of UnitedMasters, a music distribution company, and Translation, a creative agency recently named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies.

Stoute began his career managing artists, such as Mary J. Blige and Nas. He served as an executive producer of the Academy Award–winning 8 Mile film and soundtrack and has held senior leadership roles at Sony Music and Interscope Geffen A&M Records. He is widely recognized for bridging hip-hop culture with major brands, including his role in McDonald’s iconic 2003 “I’m Lovin’ It” campaign. In 2011, he explored hip-hop’s influence on business and culture in his book The Tanning of America, which was later adapted into a four-part documentary series.

Stoute has received numerous industry honors, including induction into the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Achievement in 2009. He was recognized as Executive of the Year by Advertising Age in 2013 and named Variety's Music Mogul of the Year in 2025.