Kevin Liles, an executive vice president at Warner Music Group, announced that he was leaving the record label conglomerate on Tuesday.
The 56-year-old executive Kevin Liles announced his news in an internal memo that he later shared on X (formerly Twitter).
Kevin Liles, who rose to the upper echelons of the music industry after getting his start as a DJ, also announced that he would be leaving Warner’s subsidiary record label 300 Elektra Entertainment.
Kevin Liles served as the chairman and CEO of the label, which was the descendant of 300 Entertainment, which he co-founded in 2012 with Lyor Cohen, Roger Gold and Todd Moscowitz.
Liles’ departure comes as Warner Music Group is in the midst of a major shakeup in its leadership team.
It was previously announced that Max Lousada, CEO of recorded music for Warner, and Atlantic Recording Group Chairman Julie Greenwald would be leaving their roles (Atlantic is a major subsidiary of Warner Music Group).
Warner Music CEO Robert Kyncl shared in his own internal memo, obtained by Variety, that there was no one currently stepping into Liles’ role at 300 Elektra Entertainment.
Instead, the current 300 executives Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab will be running things, though they will report directly to Kyncl.
Liles said in his own memo that he will still be a part of the transition. He announced he would be stepping down at the end of September, but he will continue to serve as a consultant to Warner Music Group and 300 Elektra Entertainment through the end of the year.
Kyncl also noted in his memo that the 10K Projects founder Elliot Grainge — who tied the knot with Sofia Richie last year — would be replacing Atlantic’s departing CEO Greenwald, and he will also be reporting directly to Kyncl.
Liles came into Warner Music Group’s orbit in 2022, after the conglomerate bought 300 Entertainment for $400 million.
The formerly independent label managed to attract an impressive roster of hitmakers, including the embattled rapper Young Thug, Megan Thee Stallion, Mary J. Blige, Metro Boomin and Fetty Wap, among others.
Gunna and Migos have also been represented in the past, while Megan Thee Stallion also has another deal directly with Warner.
In his memo, Liles introduced his successors by writing, ‘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.’
In Kyncl’s memo, the Warner CEO praised Liles’ ‘positive energy’ and called him a charismatic leaders who’s been successful in many different roles… artist manager, label founder, entrepreneur, senior executive… he even started out as a DJ and songwriter.’