Jason Hobdy, who was an influential manager of singer Maeta, died at the age of 40 on a flight home from Japan after falling ill on August 30.
Maeta Kaplan took to Instagram over the weekend to reveal the tragic news while paying a touching tribute to her manager.
The 24-year-old singer posted a gallery of intimate snaps and videos of their work together alongside a heartbreaking caption that began: ‘I lost probably the closest person in my life yesterday on my way back from our last show in Japan.
‘Jason has been the most loyal person I’ve ever had for the past 6 years, ever since we met. He knew every single detail of my life. He started out as my manager when I was 18, but quickly became like my older brother.
Jason Hobdy, who was an influential manager behind singer Maeta, died aged 40 on a flight home from Japan after falling ill on 30 August.
Maeta Kaplan took to her Instagram over the weekend to reveal the tragic news while paying a touching tribute to her manager; the two are seen together in November 2021
“He stood by me through my darkest times, kept every secret I told him, and protected me like I was his little sister. We fought like crazy, but that was because he knew me so well, and sometimes I hated him!”
Other artists on her list included Elijah Blake and Tone Stith as Maeta continued her lengthy piece describing the personal time they spent together.
She wrote: ‘And he was always late lol I HAD to include that!!! It was a given if you knew you knew!!! But he could read my mind. We had so many silent conversations with just our faces. One look and we’d be laughing our heads off at something stupid.
“I will miss you so much. I don’t know how I will do another show without you. Thank you for your dedication to my career and my life for all these years. I love you forever and always. You are incredibly loved by so many people. I promise to make you proud. Until we meet again.”
Hobdy began her career at the young age of 16 at MBK Entertainment under the management of Jeff Robinson, Jeanine McLean and Suzette Williams.
He started out as a simple intern, but was able to quickly learn the business.
Over time he worked as a tour organizer and was able to travel the world with artists such as Alicia Keys, HER, K. Michelle and Lucky Daye.
Since 2022 he is also an A&R consultant for Monarch Distro.
Hobdy’s roster of talent included Elijah Blake (left) and Maeta (right)
The 24-year-old singer posted a gallery of intimate photos and videos of their work together alongside a heartbreaking message that begins: “Yesterday I lost the closest person in my life as I was returning from our last show in Japan. Jason has been the most loyal person to me for the past 6 years, ever since we met. He knew every single detail of my life. He started out as my manager when I was 18 but quickly became like my older brother.”
Hobdy began his career at the young age of 16 at MBK Entertainment under the management of Jeff Robinson, Jeanine McLean and Suzette Williams; Hobdy is pictured with Newal Dethan in Beverly Hills in June 2021.
MBK Entertainment CEO Jeff Robinson also took to Instagram to pay tribute to Hobdy, writing: ‘When I was 11 years old, my nephew Jason “Hoody” Hobdy told me that when he grew up, he would work for me and eventually run the company.’
The aforementioned MBK Entertainment CEO Jeff Robinson also took to Instagram to pay tribute to Hobdy, writing: ‘When I was 11 years old, my nephew Jason “Hoody” Hobdy told me that when he grew up, he would work for me and eventually run the company.
“As a teenager, he started working for me… What a great life and career for a poor kid from the Bronx who loved to laugh and dream big, to run his own company and travel the world for years! I’m so proud to call you my nephew and PARTNER.”
Robinson went on to acknowledge Hobdy’s achievements before concluding: “Your name will resonate in heaven and earth! Rest in peace, young king.”
Hobdy is survived by several family members including brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and close friends.