SAN FRANCISCO (CelebrityAccess) — Former WMG exec Lyor Cohen has joined YouTube as their new Global Head of Music as the video streaming service looks to bolster its relationship with the recorded music industry.
Cohen, a longtime industry veteran who has served as the chairman/CEO of recorded music at the aforementioned Warner Music, as well as President of Island Def Jam, most recently helmed the label 300 Entertainment, whose roster includes artists such as Fetty Wap and Young Thug.
According to Billboard, Cohen will remain CEO of 300 until December 5 when he will start to pass off his day-to-day responsibilities to the label's leadership team.
“Lyor is a lion of the music industry," said YouTube's Chief Business Officer Robert Kyncl 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 a tremendous difference in accelerating that growth in a fair way for everyone. We are thrilled to welcome him to YouTube."
Cohen joins the YouTube team at a contentious time. The streaming music service is the target of criticism by both labels and artists for not paying royalty rates on streamed music that are on par with other players in the industry. YouTube remains one of the most popular destinations for music streaming on the Internet. – Staff Writers
