The beautiful irony of Michael Stokes’ artistic mission is that while author Sir Thomas Moore coined the term “Utopia” in the 1550s (from the Latin word meaning “nowhere”) as a dream island where all people thrived under perfect legal, social, and political systems, Stokes – a prolific record producer, keyboardist, composer, arranger and engineer – has made it his life’s work to create a glorious “somewhere” that renders artistic paradise possible, dreams realities, and the world a better place. Fore decades, he’s built upon accomplishing these ideals through the universal languages of music, art, and imagination.

From humble roots in Detroit’s Palmer Woods district to the sizzling hot studios of Southern California, Michael Stokes has amassed a stunning resume’ of credits that includes work with stellar artists and personalities such as Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Bill Withers, Shirley Caesar, Smokey Robinson, Herb Alpert, Gladys Knight, Tina Turner, Donna Summer, Mavis Staples, Solomon Burke, Booker T. Jones, Patti Labelle, Rick James, Deniece Williams, Merry Clayton, Morris Day, Tim Reid, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Former First Lady guy Nancy Reagan, Prince.

Stokes (partnered with Kerry Gordy) also holds the distinction of being the first executive to sign a then-unprecedented 7 acts from his Utopia Productions Company all to a deal with one company: Motown Records. And he has also played varying critical roles in the development of artists that include Enchantment, DeBarge, Vanessa Williams, Brian McKnight, LTD, Atlantic Starr, Miki Howard, Bell Biv DeVoe (BBD), Color Me Badd, Louis Price, Jesse Powell, Nature’s Divine, Magic Lady, Rockwell and Sherrick.

Michael Stokes Utopia Enterprises is an artist development and entertainment company (very much inspired by Berry Gordy’s Motown) that is a self-contained launching pad for the best of the best of tomorrow’s superstars as well as the seasoned greats of the present. Under one metaphorical roof, Utopia is where songwriting, artist grooming, set design, wardrobe creation, film and video shoots, album recording, album art and marketing graphics are all expertly addressed for a stringently selected core group of today’s most deserving talents. What began in the 70’s as a scintillating music business alternative by Michael has stretched ever skyward into a corporation duty-bound to identify, develop and launch creative artists in all fields around the globe. The key primary emphasis is on education.

The Tonight’s show starring Jimmy Fallon, Filming Basketball Wives of L.A., Charlie Mack “5th Ward” original soundtrack, The Series on UMC TV, and Jabari Ali Paragon Films.

Today, Stokes’ focus is on a grand finale chapter in which he brings to bear all the fruits of his success, experience and knowledge to Utopia as it ascends to its greatest glory – that of a scholastic champion for the superstars of tomorrow that will return real and purposed music to the top of the charts while also nurturing artists in all creative realms.

“The world needs to be more educated,” Stokes philosophizes in conclusion. “When people are more roundly educated they are less rash and can better communicate with each other. I and my company Utopia Enterprises are aligning our thought patterns and goals alongside those of the Oprah Winfreys, Herb Alperts, Cathy Hughes and Steve Harveys of the world – all who promote education to the highest standard. We want to inspire the next generation to believe they can be the creators of whatever is destined to replace the iPhone 6 or to even become the next President of the United States. It all starts with an educated Utopian state of mind.”