Friday

05-30-2025 Vol 1976

Atlanta’s UNLOQ404 Offers New Creative Hub for Content Creators

In a city steeped in culture and creativity, Atlanta has welcomed a remarkable new space for content creators with the launch of UNLOQ404 and its home at 550 RMG.

Located at 550 Ralph McGill Blvd in Atlanta’s Old Fourth Ward, the new office and creative haven is the brainchild of a savvy entrepreneur who splits her time between the bustling worlds of Los Angeles and Atlanta.

“It’s a representation of everything that I am,” said the visionary behind the space, emphasizing her commitment to fostering an environment for innovation and collaboration.

550 RMG spans an impressive 10,000 square feet and aims to serve as a multidisciplinary workspace for various projects.

Among its offerings, it will also feature Nine Distribution, a distribution company set to launch in September.

The venue will house prominent companies, including Genius Club, a production company, and Six Degrees, a creative agency — both of which are Black-owned and based in Atlanta.

The space is equipped with modern amenities such as a private recording studio, an editing suite, creative conference rooms, a kitchen, and an outdoor patio, designed to inspire and facilitate creativity among its users.

Ward emphasized the importance of remaining present in her work, noting that she balances her busy schedule to engage with clients actively.

Speaking to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Ward reflected on her journey leading to the establishment of 550 RMG and her aspirations for the future.

After graduating from Albany State University, Ward transitioned from her early ventures in the fashion industry — specifically her men’s clothing boutique Fly Kix — into the music scene.

Her boutique was deeply rooted in music, art, and fashion, making her a go-to person for emerging artists and creatives.

Through her helping hand, she developed relationships with numerous talents, including her first significant client, Future.

This trajectory marked the beginning of her influence within the music industry.

Ward’s choice of location for 550 RMG holds special significance for her.

While residing in Los Angeles in recent years, her ties to Atlanta have never dimmed, as a substantial number of her team members reside in the city.

The remote working trends accelerated by COVID-19 prompted her decision to create a space that encourages collaboration and productivity.

“I really wanted to create a healthy work environment to kind of bring culture back into the office,” she explained.

She was drawn to the historical Ralph McGill location, previously home to the animation studio Primal Screens, which she described as having the right bones for her vision.

The venue offers artists practical resources, from recording capabilities to editing facilities, all in one place, thus streamlining the creative process.

Interestingly, Ward noted the numerical significance between her previous address, 275 Peters St., and her new location at 550 Ralph McGill Blvd.

“I felt like this is a new chapter because 275 times two is 550,” she shared, illustrating her personal connection to the space.

The journey to opening the space began last July, with Ward taking her time to gut and redesign the premises to fit her modern, clean aesthetic.

She wanted to elevate the building while still retaining some of its original character.

“It’s about 80% completely changed” she confirmed, indicating her desire for perfection in her creative refuge.

Aligning with her mission of nurturing artists, 550 RMG aims to revolutionize the way industry talent collaborates and grows.

Ward articulated her vision of creating a new infrastructure that emphasizes comprehensive support for artists.

Through her management company, 11th & Co., she offers an all-encompassing 360-degree service for her clients’ needs.

Her approach involves enabling artists to perceive themselves as enterprises while ensuring their visions are realized through collaboration rather than unilateral direction.

In response to the industry’s evolving landscape, Ward is preparing for the launch of Nine Distribution, designed to empower independent artists.

She recognizes that the independent music scene is thriving and believes in providing local artists with opportunities and resources to succeed.

Her aim is to help talents understand the intricacies of getting their music onto various platforms while offering management and creative support to streamline the process.

When asked about her client management strategy, Ward highlighted the importance of collaboration and partnership.

Many of her clients, like Gunna, boast diverse business portfolios, and she prides herself on helping them navigate and establish their brands successfully.

For aspiring women in the music industry, Ward had clear and compassionate advice: “Don’t give up. Be consistent.”

She emphasized the necessity of hard work and manifestation as integral components of success.

Given the allure of social media, many can mistakenly expect instant gratification, but Ward’s wisdom is that consistency and dedication will yield rewards over time.

Ultimately, 550 RMG and Nine Distribution represent not just a physical space or a new venture for Ward; they encapsulate her passion for reshaping the music landscape to be more inclusive, particularly for women striving to find their place in the often male-dominated industry.

As Atlanta continues to rise as a hub for creativity and innovation, spaces like 550 RMG will serve as vital catalysts for the next generation of artists and content creators.

image source from:https://www.ajc.com/arts-entertainment/2025/05/gunna-manager-ebonie-ward-builds-creative-hub-in-atlantas-music-scene/

Benjamin Clarke