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What do artists do when their careers are cooling off? It seems to be a pattern that they become record company executives.
The list is long: Daddy O formerly of Stetsasonic (worked at MCA and Motown), the late Heavy D (senior vice president at Universal Music), Dee Jay Eddie F (Motown Records as the executive vice president of A&R), Jim Jones (worked as vice president of urban A&R at Koch Records in 2009), Jeff Redd (former A&R executive at MCA Records), and Rich Nice (past A&R executive at Columbia Records), to name a few. In August, Young Jeezy became senior vice president of A&R role at Atlantic Records.
Now add The-Dream to this group. He was just named executive VP of A&R handling new and current artist projects at Def Jam Recordings, according to Music Industry News Network. He will also be on the lookout for new talent and help produce Def Jam artists. The-Dream, who is currently working with Rihanna on her new album and with Pusha T on his debut for G.O.O.D Music, also inked a deal for his Radio Killa label. The label will have expanded resources due to The-Dream’s new appointment.
“I am committed as I have been previously to bringing the power of belief in the artist back to the forefront,” said The-Dream in a press statement. “My concentration and effort will be to the artist to succeed in their dreams and goals. I’ve been a part of watching and participating in the success of many great women and men including Beyonce, Rihanna, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion to name a few. Music means more than just a download, it’s life to the culture and also the people who listen.”
Meanwhile, mega producer Dallas Austin was also named Island Records SVP of A&R. Like The-Dream, Austin will be recruiting new talent and also writing and producing for current Island artists.
