Jason Hobdy, Influential Manager Behind H.E.R. and Maeta, Dies at 40

The music industry is mourning the loss of talent manager Jason Hobdy, who passed away on Friday, Aug. 30, at the age of 40.

According to Yvette Noel-Schure, Hobdy was on a flight returning from a tour in Japan with his artist, Maeta, when he fell ill. The Bronx native was known for his work with a roster of notable artists, including H.E.R., Maeta, Elijah Blake, and Tone Stith.

Jason Hobdy began his career at MBK Entertainment under the guidance of Jeff Robinson, Jeanine McClean, and Suzette Williams. Starting as an intern at just 16, Jason quickly immersed himself in the world of artist management, learning the ropes from some of the best in the business.

His journey from street team work to tour management saw him traveling the world with artists like Alicia Keys, K. Michelle, and Lucky Daye. In a 2021 interview with Rolling Out, Jason reflected on his beginnings, saying, “I was just a little boy from the Bronx… It has opened up doors, I have traveled the world, and it has shown me that there’s a big world out here outside of the Bronx.”

Jeff Robinson, CEO of MBK Entertainment, shared a tribute on Instagram, where he described Jason as a determined young man who fulfilled his childhood dream.

“When he was 11 years old, my nephew Jason ‘Hoody’ Hobdy told me that when he grew up, he was going to work for me and eventually run the company,” Robinson wrote.

“As a teen, he actually did start working for me… What a great life and career for a poor kid from the Bronx who loved to laugh and dream big, to running your own company and touring the world for years! I am so proud to call you my Nephew and PARTNER!”

He also expressed his deep pride in Jason’s achievements, acknowledging how he successfully managed artists and broke new acts. Robinson concluded by saying, “Your name will ring bells in heaven and Earth!! Rest well, Young King.”

Jason’s impact on the artists he managed was profound. Elijah Blake shared on Instagram, “Death is such a strange concept because we were on the phone laughing at 3 a.m…. All we ever did was joke bro… Your legacy is & will be that of a champion.”

Tone Stith also paid tribute, saying, “Hoody’s heart was so big that he was able to love everyone at the same level, and serve that person… A great example of living like Jesus Christ.”

In addition to his work at MBK, Jason founded his own management company He was also an A&R consultant for Monarch Distro since 2022.

Jason Hobdy is survived by his family, including many brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, and his industry family worldwide.

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.