The label has successfully signed a lot of remarkable artists like Justin Bieber, Big Sean, Kanye West and Rihanna. He will replace Eminem’s prominent manager Paul Rosenberg. On Monday, Variety reported that Balogun will head Def Jam Records, a 35-year-old American music record label mainly focused on the creation and dissemination of hip hop, pop, and urban music. Def Jam is under new leadership, and it just so happens to be one of the most successful music executives in the game. He was elevated to EVP that same year.īalogun started his career as an intern in Warnerīalogun started his career as an intern in Warner Brothers Records and successfully grew in his craft, including as his position as executive vice president for RCA Records. In 2018, Balogun co-founded the label Keep Cool, a joint venture with RCA, alongside Courtney Stewart, Jon Tanners and Jared Sherman.

The role will be heavily focused on A&R and creative development for a roster that already includes Kanye West and Justin Bieber. His hiring comes on the heels of Def Jam naming promotion veteran Nicki Farag as executive vice president and general manager.Īlso joining the Def Jam team is rapper Snoop Dogg, who serves as executive creative and strategic consultant as announced in June.Īt RCA, which Balogun joined in 2015 following seven-and-a-half years at Interscope, the A&R exec was involved in signing Khalid, Brockhampton, Normani (via Syco) and Bryson Tiller. Snoops new job is based out of Los Angeles, and will see him report to Universal Music Group Chairman & CEO Lucian Grainge and Def Jams interim Chairman and CEO Jeffrey Harleston. The news was announced as a Variety exclusive on Tuesday, the 10th of August 2021. Tunji Balogun replaces Eminem s longtime manager, Paul Rosenberg as CEO of Def Jam, ending a 6-year stint at RCA. Nigerian-born American record label executive Tunji Balogun is on his way to multinational record label Def Jam Records as its next Chief Executive Officer.Īccording to a report by Variety, Balogun is leaving his current position as RCA’s Executive Vice President of A&R to head Def Jam Records as CEO. Nigerian Music executive and former VP of A&R for RCA, Tunji Balogun has joined Def Jam Records as their new CEO.

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