Our Story

Link Media Partners was built on a foundation of creativity, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to connecting creators with their audiences. At its core, the company embodies the rich musical legacy and entrepreneurial spirit of its founders, Hakim Draper and David Lotwin, who combined their expertise to create a pioneering force at the intersection of art, technology, and business.

Hakim Draper represents the third generation of his family’s deep-rooted connection to the music industry. His grandfather toured with Big Band legends, and his father, Ray Draper, was an acclaimed jazz composer and musician who collaborated with John Coltrane and toured with Jackie McLean and Max Roach. Although drawn to music, Hakim’s natural talent for technology led him to study Computer Science, launching a career as a Network Engineer and Administrator before moving into Sales and Operations in Silicon Valley. He held executive roles at innovative startups like Ariba Technologies and Agile Software before returning to his musical roots.

In 2001, Hakim founded Cage Music Company and established Indigital Studios, a professional recording studio in Santa Cruz, California. By 2003, he expanded the vision by launching the Indigital Institute of Recording Arts, an accredited music production school. In 2006, Hakim partnered with music industry icon Jerry Davis to tackle major marketing projects for labels such as Atlantic Records and Interscope Records and broadcasts like Fox Sports TV. This collaboration marked the birth of Link Media Partners. Five years later, Cage Music Company was acquired by Warner Music Group, solidifying Hakim’s reputation as a visionary entrepreneur.

David Lotwin brought his own legacy and expertise to Link Media Partners. As co-founder of the legendary D&D Studios in New York City, David created a space that became synonymous with hip-hop’s golden era. The studio hosted groundbreaking artists such as Jay-Z, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Gang Starr, and KRS-One, cementing its place in music history. David and his team also founded D&D Records, releasing records from influential acts like Afu-Ra and The D&D All Stars. In 2003, DJ Premier purchased the studio, renaming it HeadQCourterz in honor of Kenneth “HeadQCourterz” Walker.

Introduced through a mutual friend, David and Hakim quickly discovered their shared passion for innovation and collaboration. After working together on several projects, David officially joined Link Media Partners as a partner. Together, they have continued to push boundaries, embracing the latest technologies and trends to deliver transformative results for their clients.

At Link Media Partners, we live at the intersection of creation and consumption. Our decades of success stem from our relentless curiosity and ability to embrace emerging technologies, helping our partners, clients, and companies achieve—and exceed—their goals. Our track record includes three successful exits: ClickServices to Agile Software, Cage Music Company to Warner Music Group, and a cutting-edge music distribution technology acquired by Sony Music.

We’ve partnered with visionaries like the former head of Nintendo North America to launch the Web3 company Random Games and their AAA video game brand, Unioverse. Whether working with established executives or first-time entrepreneurs, we excel in building scalable solutions, crafting innovative go-to-market strategies, and executing at the highest level.

Today, Link Media Partners continues to incubate and develop groundbreaking products, technologies, and businesses. Our current incubated companies include The Boogie Shack, MaaS Group Holdings, and Artist Intelligence Labs. Our growing portfolio of products includes:

SongSecure: Blockchain-based music copyright protection
AvocaData: The premier marketplace for buying and selling data
NearME: A business directory that boosts local SEO search results
SourceAudience: Subscription-based data solutions for lead generation and audience building

From helping artists achieve their dreams to empowering businesses with cutting-edge tools, Link Media Partners is dedicated to shaping the future of entertainment, technology, and beyond. This is our story, and we’re here to help you write yours.