Respected A&R veteran Rob Stevenson is joining 300 Entertainment as a Partner of the US-headquartered music company.
Previously, from 2011 onwards, Stevenson was EVP at Republic Records, heading up a team tasked with signing and developing talent.
At 300, New York-based Stevenson is reunited with the company’s CEO and co-founder, Kevin Liles.
Liles was a mentor to Stevenson during the duo’s overlapping tenures at Island Def Jam, where Stevenson spent five years working under 300 Entertainment Co-Founder (and YouTube‘s Global Head of Music), Lyor Cohen.
Liles said of his working relationship with Stevenson today that “independence is in our DNA”. He added: “Rob and I share a very clear vision of an artist and digital-first company. His experience, leadership, and love for music makes him a perfect fit amongst our senior leadership team. As partner, he will work directly with me at creating the next chapter in the book of 300.”
That book is currently adding some memorable pages, with recent artist successes at 300 including Megan Thee Stallion, Gunna, and Young Thug.
In a press statement celebrating Stevenson’s hire at 300, the firm said today (December 10): “Eight years after the company’s genesis, 300 Entertainment is growing and looking forward to competing at the highest level with the help of Rob Stevenson.”
Stevenson joined Republic Records nine years ago, where he quickly signed notable artists like Gotye, who released the Grammy-winning global smash Somebody That I Used to Know.
Stevenson also spearheaded the A&R team at Republic that signed artists such as Of Monsters and Men, James Bay, Amine, and Post Malone.
In addition to building and supervising the A&R team at Republic, Stevenson managed the relaunch of Casablanca Records.
“Rob and I share a very clear vision of an artist and digital-first company.”
Kevin Liles, 300 Entertainment
300’s announcement added that Stevenson “will assume an active role in top-tier affairs at 300 and will be overseeing a number of high-priority growth projects including new initiatives in distribution, publishing, and consumer engagement”.
On his new role, Rob Stevenson said: “I’m excited to write this next chapter of my career with the team that helped me begin my journey in the music business. In so many ways this doesn’t feel like a new job, but a return home.
“I’m looking forward to working with Kevin and the 300 team to craft a modern definition of what a record label is, and how best to support artists, today.”
“I’m looking forward to working with Kevin and the 300 team to craft a modern definition of what a record label is, and how best to support artists, today.”
Rob Stevenson
During his time at Def Jam, Stevenson signed, and guided the careers of artists such as The Killers, Fall Out Boy and Sum 41.
In 2008, after nine years with IDJ in total, Stevenson moved on to Virgin Records America, where he was appointed President of A&R.
In that role, he oversaw the A&R team responsible for releases such as Katy Perry’s blockbuster multi-platinum-selling album, Teenage Dream, as well as other major records from LCD Soundsystem, The Decemberists and Alice In Chains.
Stevenson personally worked with The Beastie Boys on their critically acclaimed, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2, released in 2011.Music Business Worldwide
