Kevin Liles Stepping Down as 300 Entertainment CEO (original) (raw)
The executive co-founded the WMG-owned label a decade ago.
Kevin Liles speaks onstage during the Congressional Black Caucus 53rd Annual Legislative Conference at Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Sept. 13, 2024 in Washington, DC. Aaron J. Thornton/WireImage
Kevin Liles will step down from his role as chairman and CEO of 300 Entertainment at the end of September, the respected label executive announced on Tuesday (Sept. 17).
In an internal note to staff obtained by Billboard, Liles said he would be departing as CEO of the Warner Music-owned label at the end of the month but staying on as a consultant through the year. WMG CEO Robert Kyncl called Liles an “extraordinary brand-builder, artist advocate, and champion of creative expression” and announced that he has decided not to replace the role — adding that 300 will continue to have “first-class leaders” in co-presidents Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab, as well as Elektra president Gregg Nadel.
Liles, Lyor Cohen, Todd Moscowitz and Roger Gold launched 300 in late 2014 as an independent label and quickly gained recognition and influence for signing and developing future hip-hop superstars including Megan Thee Stallion, Gunna, Migos, Fetty Wap and Young Thug, among others. In 2021, the label was acquired by Warner Music Group, which then incorporated it into the Atlantic Music Group by forming the 300 Elektra Entertainment Group in 2022.
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The changes at 300 follow the departures of WMG’s CEO of recorded music Max Lousada and longtime Atlantic leader Julie Greenwald and the announcement that 10K Projects founder Elliot Grainge will be taking over as CEO of the new-look AMG at the end of this month. WMG has been helmed by Kyncl since Jan. 1, 2023.
Sources have told Billboard that other executive departures may also be in the works during this leadership transition as well.
“The cultural impact we created in 10 years when starting from scratch is simply unmatched in the modern era,” said Liles. “We transformed our value proposition – ‘mindset of independent, muscle of a major’ – into a model for the rest of the industry to chase in this new era of music. But if there’s one consistent in music and culture, it’s that change is inevitable.”
Read Liles’ full memo to staff:
A Celebration of Who We Are
Team,
From the start, 300 was centered around the idea that when you intensely focus on servicing artists and the culture, good things happen. When we combined that intention with our fearlessness, creativity, and passion, it unlocked greatness and delivered impact. Next month, 300 will be celebrating its tenth anniversary of greatness and impact. I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude to our team and share some news.
A Decade of Influence Throughout the past decade, we stayed true to our original vision and values. As we created the first ever label ecosystem in the industry, we celebrated Trap Queens, we Dripped Too Hard as a Lifestyle, and it was always a Hot Girl Summer, even on our Skis. We have leaders like the Bad and Boujee Rayna Bass who can switch between Pushin P and being Savage with No Promises other than excellence. Then there’s the Awwsome Selim Bouab who is Hot regardless of whether in Japan, The London, or From The D To The A. Our whole team is One of Wun. Our Bread & Butter was saying less and doing more – when others talked, we didn’t stop to ask Fukumean, we just said Good Morning Gorgeous and proved Boy’s A Liar. Whether Lydia, Kehlani, or 679 of Your Friends, we made fans evangelists. We Mixed Personalities, put in work like it’s First Day Out, and ran up Digits that made everyone Pick Up The Phone.
Then when we became part of the WMG family and joined forces with Gregg Nadel and other brilliant minds and artists across Elektra Music Group, we continued to deliver Religiously and Right On Time. As 3EE, we had The Craving to always make it Bigger Than The Song, whether it felt like we were on Holiday or between a Rock And A Hard Place.
The cultural impact we created in 10 years when starting from scratch is simply unmatched in the modern era. We transformed our value proposition – “mindset of independent, muscle of a major” – into a model for the rest of the industry to chase in this new era of music. But if there’s one consistent in music and culture, it’s that change is inevitable.
As committed servants of the culture, we know growing and empowering the next generation of leaders is a responsibility, and when the time is right, we pass the torch. As I mentioned above, at 300 we have two of the most talented, home-grown young leaders in the entire music industry, Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab. On this tenth anniversary of 300, it’s their turn to lead our 300 team into the next decade of excellence. At the end of this month, I’ll be stepping aside and departing WMG, although to ensure a successful transition, I’ll continue to consult with the team through the end of the year.
300 has never been about one person or one artist. It’s a movement united in belief in our culture and community. Personally, I’m looking forward to my next chapter where I will continue to Listen, Learn, Lead, and Love. Specifically, I will be continuing the fight to end the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics exemplified by the unjust prosecution of Jeffery Williams. And in the short-term, I’ll be dedicating all my other time to making history by electing Kamala Harris as the first African-American female President, as well as holding the Senate and winning back the House to make Hakeem Jeffries the first African-American Speaker. This chapter may be closing, but always remember: #jobnotdone.
I have full faith in the leadership of Rayna, Selim, and Gregg, and I want to extend a sincere thank you to Len and the senior leaders at WMG who have empowered our success, particularly Robert, Max, and Julie.
Thank You and God Bless, Kevin
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