(CelebrityAccess) – Columbia Records has named Shawn Holiday and Phylicia Fant Co-heads of Urban Music.
Holiday comes to the position from his previous post as Senior Vice President of Urban A&R for Columbia, while Fant joins Columbia from Warner Bros. Records, where she served as Senior Vice President of Publicity and Special Projects.
During his time with Columbia, Holiday has played a key role in the label’s music partnership with hit Fox TV series “Empire,” he oversaw the release of Solange’s critically acclaimed album A Seat at the Table, and brought T.I. into the fold in 2014. He has also previously held senior positions with both Interscope and RCA Records.
Fant, who is also the founder and CEO of public relations and lifestyle-marketing firm the Purple Agency, has worked with the likes of Prince, Andra Day, Jason Derulo, Lil Pump, Gary Clark Jr., Bebe Rexha, Drake’s OVO Sound, Meek Mill, Mac Miller, Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Amy Winehouse, JoJo, Q-Tip, Brian McKnight and Kid Cudi among others. She began her career at Motown-Universal Records.
Ron Perry chairman and CEO of Columbia, said in a statement announcing the appointments: “Shawn and Phylicia are two of the most respected executives within the hip hop/R&B creative community. Shawn’s skill for finding and developing talent and Phylicia’s abilities in lifestyle, marketing, and branding will extend the reach of our hip-hop and R&B roster. The entire company joins me in congratulating Shawn and Phylicia.”
“I want to thank Ron and I’m excited about the direction Ron is taking the label,” Holiday said. “I look forward to working with Phylicia, furthering our urban roster’s impact as we continue to bring groundbreaking artists to Columbia Records.”
Fant added, “I’m thrilled to play a role in Ron Perry’s bold new urban strategy. I’ve known Shawn since my earliest days in the business and I’m excited to partner with him. Identifying lifestyle and entrepreneurial initiatives at such a dynamic renaissance period for black culture will create breakthrough opportunities for Columbia artists across all platforms.”
