CEO of 300, Lyor Cohen Named Global Head of Music at YouTube

#LyorCohen, co-founder and CEO of #300Entertainment, has just been named global head of music at #YouTube.

Cohen’s experience in the music industry dates back to the 1980s, starting as an artist manager at #RussellSimmons’ Rush Artist Management company. Since then, he’s worked with and headed the biggest record labels and music companies in the industry until the launch of 300 in 2013. 300 Entertainment is the home of artists such as #YoungThug, #Migos, #FettyWap, #ShyGlizzy, #EricBellinger and more.

“Lyor is a lion of the music industry,” YouTube’s Chief Business Officer #RobertKyncl said in a statement. “From Rush to Def Jam to Island Def Jam to WMG then 300, he has consistently been a pioneer, charting the course for where music is heading. As we enter the growth era of the music industry, Lyor is in a position to make tremendous difference in accelerating that growth in a fair way for everyone. We are thrilled to welcome him to YouTube.”

According to Billboard, although Cohen will continue as CEO of 300 until December 5, he will remain the company’s largest individual investor even after he steps down.

With Cohen’s strong ties within the music industry, upon his arrival, his biggest responsibility at YouTube will be repairing the company’s relationship with the music business. Over the years, the relationship between the company and the music industry has suffered because of “the value gap.” Apparently, YouTube’s pay rates to music stakeholders were not up to par with music services such as Spotify or Apple Music. This put YouTube under a lot of pressure.

However, things seem to be looking up for the company, as Cohen prepares to step into his new role.

“I’m confident that we can bridge the worlds of technology and music in ways that benefit everyone, instead of the zero-sum mentality that exists today,” Cohen wrote in a letter to the YouTube Music Team. “I’m proud to be a music man, and hope that the perspective I bring from both the creative community and the music business at large will help us, our music partners and artists grow and thrive together,” he concluded.

In addition, Cohen penned a letter to his team at 300, reflecting on their time together while encouraging the team to continue to excel.

Check out both letters written by Lyor Cohen below.

From: Lyor Cohen

To: YouTube Music Team

Hi everyone,

It’s an incredible time to be in the music business. Back in 2006, as an executive at Warner Music Group, I worked closely with a fledgling video site to sign its first big record licensing deal. That site was YouTube. Over the next decade, I watched as your work transformed YouTube into an incredibly powerful platform that connects artists with fans all over the world.

Throughout my career in the music industry, I have strived to stay on the forefront of new technologies and cultural movements. And since starting in the industry over thirty years ago, I’ve always sought to be an advocate for artists and do everything possible to shine a light on the great talent I’ve been lucky enough to work with, including Jay Z, Run-DMC, DMX, Public Enemy, Kanye West, The Killers, Bruno Mars, Ed Sheeran, Young Thug, Fetty Wap, and Highly Suspect among others. Bringing attention to the often overlooked, but talented communities has been a huge part of my life’s work and I’ve seen how music can truly bring people together.

Over the last two decades we have seen dramatic shifts, both to the inherent value of music and the literal value that people are willing to pay. Technology and new business models have completely changed the established distribution channels that have long-served the recorded music industry. And while change has been met with understandable resistance, I strongly believe that this transformation provides opportunities that will be larger and more rewarding for both artists and the music industry.

That’s why I am excited to join this incredible team as Global Head of Music. I look forward to working together with all of you on three things. 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.

I’m confident that we can bridge the worlds of technology and music in ways that benefit everyone, instead of the zero-sum mentality that exists today. I’m proud to be a music man, and hope that the perspective I bring from both the creative community and the music business at large will help us, our music partners and artists grow and thrive together.

Dear 300,

Looking back on the last three years of amazing work and effort put forth by everyone in this building, it is obvious to me that 300 has made massive steps forward in identifying and proving the efficacy of the boutique label concept.  I believe that there is a lot of misunderstanding and lack of knowledge between the creative community and new distribution and I intend to contribute my resources in helping to solve this riddle. This desire to contribute to the greater health of this business, while also bringing my experience and reputation as an artist advocate, has helped reassure me in accepting the job as Global Head of Music for YouTube.

300 has consistently put ourselves in the position to build lasting and meaningful relationships with the amazing artists we work with. Through 300’s successes, I hope we have helped light the way for others to follow in this model of creating a creative hub that is both a great partner to artists and determined to succeed.  300 is and will always be dear to me, and I hope that our company continues to show the success that comes from a dedicated, close-knit, and hardworking group of people.

I will be here the next 60 days to lead this transition. So it is imperative, that you all continue to be excellent and strive to be 300, not 176. Be a collaborative and thoughtful creative company that has a deep and trustworthy relationship with its artists, and don’t forget, as long as you’re busy being born, you won’t be busy dying. 

With great respect, love, and admiration,

Lyor