Kevin Liles Leaves Warner Music Group, Goes Indie

The Warner Music Group has announced that "Executive Vice President Kevin Liles has decided to leave his day-to-day role at the company to pursue his own entrepreneurial opportunities. He will maintain a consulting relationship with the company."

Liles is quoted:
"In the past couple weeks I've made one of the most important decisions of my life -- to depart the Warner Music Group in order to focus more on new entrepreneurial endeavors in talent management, entertainment, media and my personal philanthropic and political passions."

I'm sure he'll have plenty of new business opportunities.

Here's a bit of excerpted bio on this major figure now making independent moves:

"Kevin Liles' ascent...began in 1991 when he undertook an unpaid internship for Def Jam in the Mid-Atlantic region. By 1993, he had become the Mid-Atlantic Marketing Manager and by 1998, after only seven years, Liles accepted the position of President of the Def Jam Music Group..."

"In addition to presiding over the label's artist roster and day-to-day business at Def Jam, Liles oversaw the diversification of the Def Jam brand, including establishing Def Jam South, Def Soul, Def Soul Classics, Roc-A-Fella and Murder Inc. He also led the brand-extension efforts and cross-marketing deals that linked Def Jam's name to movies, television, DVDs, clothing, financial services, mobile content and video games..."

"Following the merger that created the Island/Def Jam Music Group in 2002, Liles added the title of Executive Vice President of Island Def Jam Music Group to his resume...By 2004, Liles joined Warner Music Group as Executive Vice President and was part of the senior executive team when the company went public in 2005. As the lead executive behind the implementation of WMG's new 360-degree strategy for enhanced artist partnerships, Liles oversaw the expansion of the traditional record company role in the artist's career..."

"Throughout 2008, Liles was instrumental in assembling a coalition of like-minded entertainers who made strategic visits to swing states in the final weeks before the historic Presidential election...Liles serves as board member/advisor to Ogilvy & Mather Diversity Board, Harbor Bank, Healthcorps, SEED School of Maryland, New Yorkers For Children, Junior Achievement of New York and is a member of The Executive Leadership Council."

"He is the bestselling author of "Make It Happen: the Hip Hop Guide to Success" and oversees both Kevin Liles for a Better Baltimore, which invests in the Baltimore community, and the Make It Happen Foundation, which empowers African-American youth to succeed in the business world."

Official Site: Kevin Liles

Kevin Hall: New SVP, Urban Music, Rondor Music Publishing

Kevin Hall, SVP, Urban Music, Rondor Music Publishing

Kevin Hall was recently promoted to Senior Vice President, Urban Music of Rondor Music Publishing, part of the Universal Music Publishing Group:

"In this expanded role, Hall will continue to work closely with songwriters, signing new writers/artists/producers and pitching for television and film opportunities. He will also extend the reach of the Urban Music department by adding additional support staff focused on creating meaningful collaborations for Rondor writers."

"While at Rondor, Hall's signings have included James Fauntleroy, Sly Jordan, Jason Derulo, Kwame, Trak Starz, Underdog Entertainment, Bobby Valentino, Steve Russell, and DOC. His signings have received 14 BMI and 13 ASCAP Most Performed Song Awards..."

"Hall has been with Rondor Music Publishing since 2003 and was most recently Vice President of Urban Music for the company. Prior to Rondor, Hall worked at Music Hype, a company noted for building websites for such record labels as Atlantic, Warner Bros, Sony and Virgin. Before that, Hall was a Vice President of A&R for Island Records. He began his career in music publishing at PolyGram Music Publishing, where he served as Director of A&R, a title he concurrently held at Atlas Records."

Congratulations to Mr. Kevin Hall!

MySpace: Rondor Music Publishing

Margeaux Watson: New SVP of Media Relations for Universal Motown Records

Margeaux Watson: SVP of Media Relations for Universal Motown Records

The appointment of Margeaux Watson as the new Senior Vice President of Media Relations for Universal Motown Records has been announced:

"Most recently, she served as a staff writer and blogger for Entertainment Weekly, and previously, served as the Arts and Entertainment Editor for Suede magazine and Senior Editor at Vibe magazine. She has also held positions at Time Out New York, including Music Writer and Around Town Editor. Ms. Watson has also helped edit two books: Tupac Shakur: 1971 - 1996 and The Vibe History of Hip-Hop. She wrote a chapter for Vibe: Hip-Hop Divas and contributed an essay to Naked: Black Women Bare All About Their Skin, Hair, Hips, Lips and Other Parts."

"Her writings have appeared in numerous publications, including ELLE girl, Essence, GQ, Interview, Marie Claire, O, The Oprah Magazine, Rolling Stone, Spin, Travel + Leisure, Vibe and XXL. In addition to writing, Ms. Watson has also appeared as an entertainment expert on television programs such as ABC's Good Morning America, CNN's American Morning, VH1's The Fabulous Life and MTV News."

Congratulations, Ms. Watson!

Todd Moscowitz: New EVP of Warner Bros. Records

Todd Moscowitz has been named the new Executive Vice President of Warner Bros. Records:

"Moscowitz currently serves as CEO of WMG's Independent Label Group (ILG), which includes the Asylum and East West labels. In his new role as EVP of Warner Bros. Records, Moscowitz will bring Asylum to the Warner Bros. family of labels, reporting to Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Tom Whalley. Moscowitz will continue to serve as CEO of the remainder of ILG, reporting to John Esposito, WEA Corp.'s president and CEO."

Of particular note, Todd Moscowitz will be expanding Warner Bros. Records urban roster although it sounds like that may be primarily through the addition of Asylum artists.

Navarrow Wright Exits Global Grind

In an abrupt move discovered by Angela Benton of Black Web 2.0, Navarrow Wright is gone, gone, gone from Global Grind.

Apparently two freaks is one freak too many.

Best of luck to Russell Simmons as he tries to save his investment and his reputation.

David D'Alessandro: Executive Warfare

Executive Warfare: 10 Rules of Engagement for Winning Your War for Success

David D'Alessandro's Executive Warfare: 10 Rules of Engagement for Winning Your War for Success, written with Michele Owens, is a truly awesome book.

Much of it involves tales of executive power struggles in large corporations like John Hancock, a realm I will never inhabit, where D'Alessandro became chairman, CEO, and president! His sense of tactics and strategy are truly amazing and based on actual experience with lots of examples.

Though I don't anticipate being in such settings, there were plenty of examples that resonated with my life in the lower echelon of much smaller corporations, such as the games that are played in meetings. I'm definitely going to check out Career Warfare, where I'm sure I'll get a wide range of examples of the mistakes I've made in corporate and academic settings, as well as Brand Warfare, from which I hope to learn some lessons for the future.

I highly recommend Executive Warfare to actual executives, past, present and future, as well as those fascinated with tactics and strategy as a field of study. There's a lot here that fits human behavior in other settings and, whatever D'Alessandro is really like, he presents his game in a manner that suggests a positive path to seizing power, if such a thing is possible.

Gary Beech: New EMI SVP of Urban Marketing

Congrats to Gary Beech, EMI's new SVP, Urban Marketing:

"He will oversee product management for EMI's US urban roster, including Avant, J. Holiday, LeToya, MIMs and Novel. He and his team will also provide support for independent artist projects from EMI Label Services such as Fat Joe, Twista and Bobby Valentino."

Gee, I'd like to get such press releases:
hiphoppress(at)netweed(dot)com

Mark DiDia: New EVP/General Manager, Island Records

Mark DiDia - Executive Vice President/General Manager, Island Records

Steve Bartels, President and COO, Island Def Jam Music Group announced today that Mark DiDia has been "appointed EVP/General Manager, Island Records...In this newly created position, Mr. DiDia will oversee all day-to-day operations of Island Records. Mr. DiDia, who is based in New York, will report directly to Mr. Bartels":

"Mr. DiDia comes to Island from Columbia Records, where he was Executive Vice President/General Manager. Prior to that, he was EVP/GM at Capitol Records, Hollywood Records and Def American Recordings. Mr. DiDia began his career in music at rock stations WXRK (K-Rock) in New York, and WYSP in Philadelphia, which lead him to being tapped as head of Promotion for Geffen Records."

Congratulations!

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Rick Rubin: In The Studio; Future at Columbia Uncertain?

Rick Rubin: In The Studio; Future at Columbia Uncertain?

Rick Rubin - In The Studio

Jake Brown's Rick Rubin: In The Studio is due August 1st on ECW Press.

According to the Amazon blurb, Brown is the "owner of Versailles Records and the author of 16 books including Dr. Dre: In the Studio...and Suge Knight: The Rise, Fall and Rise of Death Row Records."

Rick Rubin at Columbia Records

The NY Times' Tim Arango details some of the questions regarding Rick Rubin's reign as untitled co-head of Columbia Records:

"In recent weeks, as several executives at Columbia who were closely aligned with Mr. Rubin have left the label, questions have surfaced about Mr. Rubin’s continued executive role there, and about how much influence he has in the company’s business operations."

"Associates of Mr. Rubin, some of whom spoke anonymously because they did not want to anger him, described the situation as one in which Mr. Rubin has steadily lost influence over the organization because his style is so different from that of the usual executive and because he is often absent from the corporate offices. The impression from these interviews is of a power game within Columbia in which Mr. Rubin refuses to participate."

Those darn power games! And that darn Metallica album for Warner! Along with, goshdarnit!, other Warner productions!

What's up with that?

Executives who have left the building include Mark DiDia, "over the objection of Mr. Rubin", Kyambo "Hip-Hop" Joshua and Al Branch.

Related Coverage:
Russell Simmons objects to having his quotes used to support Tim Arango's "gossip and innuendo" fueled agenda. [lol]
Failing Record-Label Exec Wins Grammy for His Moonlighting Gig

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Mark DiDia: New EVP/General Manager, Island Records

Christopher Hicks: Def Jam's New Executive Vice President

Christopher Hicks: Executive Vice President, Def Jam Recordings

Christopher Hicks has been appointed the new Executive Vice President at Def Jam.  The appointment was:

"announced today by Antonio "L.A." Reid, Chairman, Island Def Jam Music Group. In his new position, Mr. Hicks will assume overall responsibility for the acquisition and development of new talent, overseeing producers and guiding the creative vision and brand recognition of the legendary Def Jam label as it celebrates its 25th year anniversary in 2009. Mr. Hicks will report directly to Mr. Reid, and to Steve Bartels, President & COO, Island Def Jam Music Group, on operational matters. Mr. Hicks will be based in Atlanta and New York..."

"Mr. Hicks comes to IDJ after nearly two years in the joint posts of Senior Vice President, Urban A&R, Atlantic Records, and Senior Vice President, A&R, and Head of Urban Music for Warner/Chappell Music. Prior to that, Mr. Hicks spent three years at Warner/Chappell as a Vice President, Urban A&R, since 2004. There he played a key role in striking publishing agreements with T.I., Lil' Wayne, and The-Dream, among others. Mr. Hicks was also instrumental in Warner/Chappell's re-signing of Dr. Dre in 2005 and the purchase of the Timbaland catalog and his re-signing in 2006. During his stint at Warner/Chappell, Hicks re-structured the department and guided the company to unprecedented success."

ProHipHop wishes Christopher Hicks the best of luck in an always difficult job during these exceptionally difficult times.

Jim Jones: Vice President of Urban A&R at KOCH Records

Jim Jones: Industry Dude (is going to regret this picture!)

Jim Jones has joined KOCH Records as their new Vice President of Urban A&R:

"The first release Jones brings to the table in is the much anticipated debut album from Skull Gang (starring Juelz Santana). The forthcoming album will be released on February 24th, 2009."

I've generally appreciated Jim Jones' style, especially the more rock-inspired fashions, so I'm really hoping he's not going to let that all go downhill now that he's an industry dude.

I'd give you a link to a funny "industry dude" reference but certain people nuked their archives.  Which may connect to the fact that you don't hear much about that guy's brand because he keeps creating and then destroying his own platforms!  (Sorry, homey, but that's how I see it.)

Jermaine Dupri Loses Island Records Presidency [What About TAG Records and Q DA KID?]

Variety's reporting that "Jermaine Dupri is out as president of Island Records Urban Music division" as of Thursday.

While that's no fun for anybody, I'm not that concerned about JD's future, but WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN?:

"His ankling puts a question mark on Tag Records, the hip-hop label he oversaw that was a partnership between Island Def Jam and Procter & Gamble's Tag brand. Formed in April, the goal was to showcase Dupri and Tag artists across various Tag brand advertising and marketing initiatives."

"The label has released only one single, "On a Mission" by Q Da Kid, which featured Dupri. It has sold only 3,000 downloads."

I had mixed feelings about the TAG Records concept, especially for a new artist:

"On the one hand, this is a great opportunity for an up-and-comer to receive an outsized marketing effort on their debut."

"On the other, this is an opportunity to be branded by TAG at a key moment in one's career, a branding that may well stick with one long after the fact."

But I thought Q DA KID would be doing better than that at this point, even though the only new thing about this whole project was the idea of a deodorant company starting a record label. 

My bad, not that this is the end of the road for JD or QDK, but neither could be very happy about this turn of events.

Best of luck, guys!

Update:
Ben Sisario at the NY Times states that, "according to a person at the company who was not authorized to speak publicly", Jermaine Durpi was fired but that he's still "expected to remain the head of Tag Records."

Hmmm, that's starting to look like a dubious honor.

Related ProHipHop Coverage:
Jermaine Dupri to Helm TAG Records, Artists to Get Body Spray Size Marketing Support
Q aka Q DA KID is TAG Records First Artist
TAG [Records] Commercial f/Jermaine Dupri and Q
Winners of TAG's Make History National Grants Program

Omar "Animal Steele" Barnes Joins The Famous Firm

Omar Barnes, aka Animal Steele, has been named Executive Brand Manager of The Famous Firm, a "talent label" founded by Sickamore who blogs at Thank God I'm Famous.

At MySpace:
Animal Steele

Looking Back: Dr. Ben and the HipHopSodaShop

ProHipHop has been following the career of Ben Chavis at H3 Enterprises and the HipHopSodaShop from day one.  Enjoy!

Dr. Benjamin F. Chavis New H3 Enterprises CEO

Dr. Benjamin Chavis Completes Takeover of H3 Enterprises

Dr. Ben Leads H3 to the Land of Pop N Go

Dr. Ben Chavis/HipHopSodaShop Fulfill Dr. King's Dream

HipHopSodaShop in Co-Branding Deal w/Diddy's Sean John

H3 Enterprises Releases Sales Report w/Few Numbers

Ben Chavis Out at H3 Enterprises [HipHopSodaShop]

Jordan Edelson New CTO at H3 Enterprises

H3 Enterprises has announced the appointment of Jordan Edelson as Chief Technology Officer and Digital Entertainment Director to "spearhead H3's video gaming and web property development".