Founder & CEO
Vinny Chiodo aka CenZo
Vinny Chiodo — known as CenZo (@BigBruddaV) — is a 20-year music industry veteran: artist turned ghostwriter, A&R specialist, executive producer, and manager. Illinois raised, based in Dallas, Texas. He is the CEO of Ontop Entertainment, the independent label he founded in 2007.
He has shared stages with Machine Gun Kelly, Wiz Khalifa, Meek Mill, Big Sean, Blackbear and many many more. He spent years deliberately behind the curtain, building other artists, writing records, and developing talent. After his last record deal as an artist, in 2015 he transitioned into the business side of music — focusing on management, development, and executive production. As a writer and executive producer alone, he holds double-digit Billboard chart placements — including the Billboard 200 — with Top 20 showings in multiple categories, a Top 5 on iTunes, a #1 Christian rock single, and a record that reached #4 Hip Hop, #5 Pop, and #19 overall, across multiple genres.
He chose the shadows to build others. Now he's stepping into the light on his own terms — signing, writing, and developing the next generation at Ontop Entertainment.
Artist. Executive. Builder. Faith. Work. No shortcuts.
@bigbruddav · linktr.ee/bigbruddav
Leadership
Vinny Chiodo
Founder & CEO
Artist, songwriter, ghostwriter, A&R specialist, executive producer, and manager. Twenty years in music — Illinois raised, Dallas based.
John-Patrick Kennedy
Executive Director
John-Patrick Kennedy is the Executive Director of Ontop Entertainment, and the business side of the label is his territory: operations, outreach, and the relationships that connect Ontop to the people it works with. Alongside founder and CEO Vinny Chiodo, he turns creative direction into organized, accountable action.
Priorities come first. John-Patrick looks at the full picture, sorts out what needs attention now and what can wait, and brings the right people into the conversation. Outreach and daily coordination follow from those choices, each step connected to the next. It’s careful, practical work, and it shapes how the label spends its time and attention.
Communication is where his approach shows. John-Patrick keeps it plain and keeps it moving, treating the end of a meeting as the start of the work. Plans stay with him until the next step is underway, not just agreed. Ontop’s ideas have room to develop; he makes sure they also have somewhere to land.
Aaron “Hitman” Pittman
Senior Advisor
Aaron “Hitman” Pittman is an Atlanta-based music producer, entertainment entrepreneur, and executive with a background in artist development, music production, talent acquisition, and independent entertainment business operations. Through his work with Vara Entertainment Group and his broader involvement in the music industry, Pittman has developed an entrepreneurial perspective and a multifaceted understanding of the creative and business disciplines that drive artist development and entertainment ventures. His production credits include Da Brat’s platinum-selling Unrestricted (2000, So So Def/Columbia) — “Runnin’ Out of Time” featuring Kelly Price and “Breeve On Em” featuring 22.
As CEO of Vara Entertainment Group, Pittman has worked to build a multifaceted entertainment business encompassing Vara Records, The Men Behind the Curtain, and iBeat Records. This structure reflects an approach to the industry that recognizes the relationship between artist development, music production, and the infrastructure required to support creative talent. His entrepreneurial ventures have also included Vara Records LLC and Drum Driven Entertainment, reflecting his longstanding involvement in music-related business operations.
Pittman’s work in talent identification and artist development extends beyond a single genre or creative lane. His involvement in developing emerging artists, including acoustic-soul singer-songwriter Nick Howrey, reflects his interest in identifying distinctive talent and building opportunities around an artist’s individual identity. His approach emphasizes musical authenticity, compelling vocal presence, and the importance of developing an artist’s long-term potential rather than relying exclusively on short-term trends.
Beyond his entrepreneurial ventures, Pittman has been a part of the broader music-business community, including the Music Biz Conference. His industry involvement reflects an understanding of the importance of professional relationships, evolving business models, and strategic collaboration in an increasingly interconnected music marketplace.
In his role as Senior Advisor at Ontop Entertainment, Pittman brings experience spanning music production, entertainment entrepreneurship, and artist development to the organization’s expanding leadership team. His appointment adds an established entrepreneurial and creative perspective as Ontop continues to develop its platform, strengthen strategic relationships, and create opportunities for artists and industry professionals.
Michael Dion
Head of A&R
Michael Dion grew up as the oldest son of Michael Deon Dopson and Shaniese Fowler. As the oldest son, family is an important part of his story and the foundation of where he comes from. He shares the same father with his two brothers and one sister, and he also has two stepbrothers and a stepsister, making his family a part of his life’s journey.
His family roots run deep on the West Side of Chicago, where both sides of his family grew up. On his father’s side, his grandparents are Michael Louis Dopson and Esther Patrick. On his mother’s side, his grandparents are Joseph Solomon and Wanda Fowler.
Coming from a family with deep Chicago roots, Michael carries his family’s history, experiences, and legacy with him — a legacy that includes his cousin, Grammy-winning producer Larrance “Rance” Dopson, CEO of 1500 or Nothin’. His upbringing and the people connected to his journey are part of what makes his story unique. Just as music connects generations, family connects him to his past while inspiring the legacy he continues to build for the future.