20 music executives who shaped pop culture

Clive Davis is one of the most recognizable executives in the music industry. Throughout his career, he’s held titles such as the president of Columbia Records, CEO of RCA Music Group, and founder of labels such as Arista and J. Records. He was very instrumental in launching the careers of Barry Manilow, Santana, Alicia Keys, Aerosmith, and Whitney Houston. 

People can’t talk about pop culture without mentioning Motown Records. The label was founded by Berry Gordy who helped establish the careers of artists like Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, The Supremes, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Stevie Wonder, The Jackson 5, and many more. Motown artists had a soulful sound that appealed to a mainstream audience, which helped establish the Black-owned label as one of the most successful record companies between the 1960s and 1980s. 

In his early career, Scooter Braun was hired by Jermaine Dupri as the executive director of marketing for So So Def. A few years after leaving the record label, Braun discovered Justin Bieber after watching a YouTube video, and eventually signed and managed Bieber under his imprint Raymond-Braun Media Group. He then started managing other artists including the Black Eyed Peas, Tori Kelly, Psy, and Kanye West. 

People can’t talk about hip-hop without mentioning Sylvia Robinson, as she was the founder of the label Sugar Hill Records. She also produced iconic records such as the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. 

Simon Cowell has a superb eye and ear for talent, it’s no wonder that he’s been a judge on several TV talent competition shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, America’s Got Talent, and American Idol. Through his work, he’s helped sign several artists, including One Direction, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, Leona Lewis, and Susan Boyle. 

Suzanne de Passe was very instrumental in the early careers of several artists and actors. She started her career as a creative assistant at Motown Records, helping to establish the stylish looks of acts like The Jackson 5. De Passe then went on to work in TV production, working on different programs, series, and films, such as Showtime at the Apollo, Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century, and Sister, Sister.  

Tommy Mottola got his career started in the music industry by managing groups such as Xavion and Hall & Oates. He then went on to manage the US operations at Sony Music, and then got promoted to chairman and CEO. While at Sony, he was instrumental in signing artists such as Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Destiny’s Child, Shakira, and more. 

Sylvia Rhone moved up in ranks in the music industry, from starting off as a secretary at Buddah Records to eventually becoming the first Black woman to lead a major record label as CEO of Elektra. Throughout her career, she’s worked with a plethora of artists, including Brandy, Missy Elliott, En Vogue, Metallica, Third Eye Blind, Tracy Chapman, Busta Rhymes, and many more. 

Jimmy Iovine first got his start in the music industry as an engineer for artists such as Bruce Springsteen and John Lennon. In 1989, Iovine and Ted Field founded Interscope Records, a label that was instrumental in the success of artists like No Doubt, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tupac, Nelly Furtado, and Eminem. In addition to heading the label, he also ventured into technology and streaming, in which he worked with Dr. Dre to launch Beats Electronics and Beats Music (which was eventually acquired by Apple). 

Although Jay Z started his career as a rapper, it was a launchpad to his multiple business ventures over the years. Back in 2004, Jay became the president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings, which helped jumpstart the careers for artists like Kanye West and Rihanna. A few years later, Jay founded his own entertainment company Roc Nation, which serves as a talent agency, management company, and sports agency. 

David Geffen started his career as a talent agent at companies such as William Morris Agency and Creative Management Associates. In 1971, Geffen teamed up with Elliott Roberts and founded Asylum Records, which was home to artists like Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, the Eagles, and more. A few years later, he decided to leave Asylum and started another label, Geffen Records, in which disco star Donna Summer became his first signee to it. Throughout the years, Geffen Records was home to artists like Cher, Elton John, Olivia Newton-John, Nirvana, and others. 

In 1972, Richard Branson alongside his partners Simon Draper, Tom Newman, and Nik Powell founded the independent label Virgin Records. Some key artists that were signed to the label included The Rolling Stones, Beanie Man, Sex Pistols, the Spice Girls, and Janet Jackson.

Jermaine Dupri does it all, rapper, songwriter, producer, and music executive. He’s always been known for scouting young talent and molding them into stars. Back in 1991, he discovered the hip-hop duo Kris Kross. Two years later, he founded his record label So So Def, which was home to several artists, including Da Brat, Xscape, Jagged Edge, Anthony Hamilton, and Bow Wow. In addition to being an executive, he’s written and produced hit records for some of the biggest names in music, including Usher, Mariah Carey, Janet Jackson, and Jay Z. 

Ahmet Ertegun may not be a name that is often heard to the general public, but music heads and industry executives know how crucial he was to the industry. As a fan of jazz, R&B, rock, and gospel, he founded Atlantic Records, which was home to several artists including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Otis Redding, the Rolling Stones, and Led Zeppelin.  

Lyor Cohen was instrumental in getting hip-hop to become more mainstream. He started his career as a concert promoter and road manager, and eventually became president of Def Jam. Throughout his career, he helped sign artists such as A Tribe Called Quest, Slick Rick, Eric B. & Rakim, and DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. He also helped Run-DMC land an endorsement deal with Adidas, the first partnership of its kind between a hip-hop artist and an athletic company. 

In the 1990s, Andre Harrell was one of the prominent figures to push hip-hop and R&B once he found his label Uptown Records. Several artists were signed to the label, including Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, Al B. Sure, The Notorious B.I.G., and Heavy D & The Boyz. 

Rick Rubin was one of the first executives who believed that hip-hop could go mainstream when he teamed up with Russell Simmons as co-founders of the record label Def Jam. Throughout his career, he helped launch the careers of LL Cool J, Public Enemy, and the Beastie Boys. In addition to his work as an executive, he’s also produced records for the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Mick Jagger, AC/DC, Metallica, and Jay Z. 

In 1989, L.A. Reid teamed up with Babyface to launch their label LaFace Records, which launched the careers of artists like Usher, TLC, Outkast, and Toni Braxton. Over a decade later, LaFace merged with Arista Records, and Reid became the president and CEO. During his tenure at Arista, he signed artists like Ciara, P!nk, and Avril Lavigne. In 2004, Reid moved on to become the chairman and CEO of Island Def Jam Music Group, which helped the success of the careers of artists like Mariah Carey and Rihanna. 

Mona Scott-Young teamed with the late Chris Lighty and founded the management company Violator. For two decades, Scott-Young’s management company helped the success of careers for artists like Missy Elliott, Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, Fantasia, and Mariah Carey. She also ventured into television production with her company Monami Productions, which was instrumental in VH1’s Love & Hip-Hop franchise. 

Irv Gotti was a man of many talents—DJ, talent scout, producer, and executive. He produced songs for artists like DMX in his early days and founded the record label Murder Inc. in which he signed artists like Ja Rule and Ashanti.