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Darcus Beese Named President Of Island Records

Darcus Beese
Photo Credit: Rankin (PRNewsfoto/Universal Music Group)
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NEW YORK (CelebrityAccess) — Universal Music Group announced that veteran British music exec Darcus Beese OBE, has been named President of Island Records.

Beese, whose career includes working with Amy Winehouse, Florence Welch and breakout star Sigrid, among many others, as well as leading Island Records U.K. since 2013, will succeed David Massey as President of Island Records in New York, effective July 1st.

“Island Records was founded nearly 60 years ago by Chris Blackwell to serve as the home for boundary-defying and maverick artists with the ability to move popular culture. To this day, that mission continues to define and drive Island, whether in the U.K. or U.S., and I couldn’t be more proud to play a role in carrying on that legacy. I’m grateful to Sir Lucian for this opportunity and I’d like to thank my U.K. boss and friend David Joseph for his generous support through the years. I’m looking forward to working closely with Michele Anthony, Monte Lipman as well as Eric Wong and the excellent team at Island,” Beese said of his new role.

Beese has been with the Island Records team for the lion’s share of his career, starting at the label’s promotion department as a lowly intern in 1989, and working his way up through the company. He’s held numerous jobs at Island, including a stint as A&R director, where he signed, among others, Amy Winehouse and Sugababes.

In 2008, Beese was named co-president of the label with Ted Cockle, and played a role in the development of both Mumford & Sons, and Florence + The Machine.

In 2013, he was tapped for the role of President of Island U.K. in 2013, the labe home to artists such as Annie Lennox, PJ Harvey, Robbie Williams and U2

Beese was honored as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list 2014 for services to the U.K. music industry.

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