As co-founders of Quality Control Music (QC), Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas have built an empire that transformed the sound of rap and redefined the business of music. In recognition of their extraordinary impact, Lee and Thomas are being honored at the 2025 Living Legends Foundation Awards with the Impact Award. The award is very fitting for the dynamic executive duo, as they made an immediate impact since the formation of QC, cementing their status as two of the most influential executives in contemporary music.
Founded in 2013, Quality Control Music, LLC (QC) was born from a shared vision to create an independent label that nurtures authentic talent and remains true to hip-hop’s roots. Lee, with his experience managing some of Atlanta’s biggest artists, and Thomas, with his expertise in business strategy, together built a label that quickly became a cultural force.
The label’s forward-thinking approach, guided by the vision of Coach K and P, is evident in its success in bringing trap music to mainstream media and producing consistent hits. QC’s roster includes artists like Migos, Lil Yachty, Lil Baby, and City Girls. In 2020, QC’s Lil Baby released My Turn, which became the highest-selling and streaming album of the year. It was also the first album of 2020 to achieve double-platinum certification by the RIAA, with his entire catalog surpassing 37 billion streams by 2022.
Many mainstream artists, including Migos, City Girls, Lil Yachty, and Lil Baby, have signed with Quality Control Music; Courtesy of Getty Images, Instagram/@qcmceo_p, and XXL
Beyond artist development, Quality Control has revolutionized the industry model through innovation and diversification. The company has expanded into multiple ventures, including Solid Foundation Management, Quality Films, QC Sports, and Quality Ventures, bridging music, sports, film, and technology. HYBE, a global entertainment powerhouse, acquired QC Holdings in 2023, marking a significant milestone in the label’s evolution. QC unveiled its new 60,000-square-foot Atlanta headquarters the following year, symbolizing the company’s growth and cultural influence.
The company’s achievements have earned Coach K and P accolades such as Billboard’s Executives of the Year and Variety’s Innovators of the Year, honoring their ability to merge artistry with entrepreneurship. Even Lee, who decided to complete his studies in 2021 after he had to leave Raleigh’s Saint Augustine College almost 30 years ago due to a gunshot wound he incurred while enrolled in school, and received an honorary degree to top it all.
Kevin “Coach K” Lee and Pierre “P” Thomas are living legends, standing out as visionary executives and architects of hip-hop’s future.
