About
Baltimore, MD-born businessman and impresario.
From an unpaid internship in 1991, Kevin Liles became the president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings in 1998 when he was just 30 years old. He was notable for discovering the label's artists during his tenure that include LL Cool J, EPMD, Jay-Z, Ja Rule, DMX, Foxy Brown and others. He also co-founded with the label's founder, Russell Simmons, Def Soul, an R&B division of Def Jam which included Dru Hill, Montell Jordan, Case, Musiq Soulchild and more. In 2004, after L.A. Reid replaced him as the CEO of Def Jam and Jay-Z as president, Kevin joined his mentor and friend, Lyor Cohen, to become executive vice president of the recorded music division at the Warner Music Group; he reported to Cohen, WMG's former chairman and CEO.
In 2009, he left WMG to create an artist management company, KWL Management, and then three years later, reunited with Cohen, while joining forces with Todd Moscowitz and Roger Gold to form 300 Entertainment. As of 2022, Liles has reunited with the Warner Music Group after the company bought 300 for $400 million and merged the label with Elektra. He is the chairman and CEO of 300/Elektra Entertainment (3EE), WMG's label unit.
From an unpaid internship in 1991, Kevin Liles became the president and CEO of Def Jam Recordings in 1998 when he was just 30 years old. He was notable for discovering the label's artists during his tenure that include LL Cool J, EPMD, Jay-Z, Ja Rule, DMX, Foxy Brown and others. He also co-founded with the label's founder, Russell Simmons, Def Soul, an R&B division of Def Jam which included Dru Hill, Montell Jordan, Case, Musiq Soulchild and more. In 2004, after L.A. Reid replaced him as the CEO of Def Jam and Jay-Z as president, Kevin joined his mentor and friend, Lyor Cohen, to become executive vice president of the recorded music division at the Warner Music Group; he reported to Cohen, WMG's former chairman and CEO.
In 2009, he left WMG to create an artist management company, KWL Management, and then three years later, reunited with Cohen, while joining forces with Todd Moscowitz and Roger Gold to form 300 Entertainment. As of 2022, Liles has reunited with the Warner Music Group after the company bought 300 for $400 million and merged the label with Elektra. He is the chairman and CEO of 300/Elektra Entertainment (3EE), WMG's label unit.
Also known as
Discography
77 releasesLuvanmusiq
Musiq Soulchild · 2007
Genius & Friends
Ray Charles · 2005
Soulstar
Musiq* · 2003
Return Of Dragon
Sisqó* · 2001
Aijuswanaseing
Musiq Soulchild · 2000
Unleash The Dragon
Sisqó* · 1999
Open Letter
Case · 2026
Back Home
Trey Songz · 2020
Tremaine
Trey Songz · 2017
Free TC
Ty Dolla $ign · 2015
The Charade / 1000 Deaths
D'Angelo And The Vanguard · 2015
Trigga
Trey Songz · 2014
Black Messiah
D'Angelo And The Vanguard · 2014
M.O.
Nelly · 2013
A Place Called Love Land
Raheem DeVaughn · 2013
Hall Of Fame
Big Sean · 2013
Chapter V
Trey Songz · 2012
All Of Me
Estelle · 2012
Finally Famous
Big Sean · 2011
Passion, Pain & Pleasure
Trey Songz · 2010
Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns (Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture)
Various · 2008
OnMyRadio
Musiq Soulchild · 2008
Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married? (Music From And Inspired By The Motion Picture)
Various · 2007
Smash! Vol.37
Various · 2007
Bravo Black Hits Vol. 17
Various · 2007
Tyler Perry's Daddy's Little Girls (Music Inspired By The Film)
Various · 2007
T.I. Vs T.I.P.
T.I. · 2007
In My Songs
Gerald Levert · 2007
Trey Day
Trey Songz · 2007
Luvanmusiq
Musiq Soulchild · 2007
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