Popular music executive Lyor Cohen has offcially joined YouTube Music in hopes of easing tensions with the numerous music pirating lawsuits that the streaming platform has recently received. Cohen helped build Def Jam and Warner Brothers Music into the empires they are today, and more recently founded 300 Entertainment — home to stars like Young Thug, Fetty Wap and Migos.
YouTube named Cohen the “Global Head of Music,” which we can assume will have similar duties to that of Jimmy Iovine over at Apple Music. YouTube has been under fire from record labels saying YouTube does not pay nearly enough for artist’s content.
Excited to welcome @lyorcohen as @YouTube‘s Global Head of Music. Impressive track record working w/artists & music industry. Welcome Lyor!
— Susan Wojcicki (@SusanWojcicki) September 28, 2016
The Los Angeles native laid down a three step plan as for the changes he wants to see at YouTube:
“First, helping the music community embrace the technological shifts we’re seeing in music today so we can help take the confusion and distrust out of the equation.”
“Second, building on the great work you all have done to help the music industry and creative community break new songs and artists to YouTube’s audience of over 1 billion fans. From building on the success of the YouTube Music app, to shining a light on emerging artists, I believe our potential to strengthen the industry is massive.”
“And third, I hope that together we can move towards a more collaborative relationship between the music industry and the technologies that are shaping the future of the business.”
The 56-year-old is the man for the job, boasting an absolutely stacked resume that includes having Def Jam branch out from under SONY Entertainment. He will reportedly stay on as CEO of 300 Entertainment until December and keep holding shares in the company.
Former Live Nation executive Irving Azoff sounded off on YouTube’s practices, calling them “really evil” after penning a long letter attacking the brand in June.
“As a prolific manager, label executive and label owner, Lyor has a long history as a defender of artist rights,” he said. “We are counting on you, Lyor, to lead YouTube to provide fair payments to artists and give them more creative control. Congratulations, Lyor, I know you can get it done.” Via Billboard
Congrats to Lyor on the move!