Executive Steven Victor has shifted from his A&R role at Def Jam to focus on a new collaboration with Universal Music Group. Victor is now the senior VP of A&R at UMG, Def Jam’s parent company, which will also allow him to focus on his own company, Victor Victor Worldwide. He had previously served as Def Jam’s executive VP of A&R since October 2017. “I had a great experience at Def Jam and proud of the artists that we signed there,” Victor said in an interview with Variety. “I’m still going to work with them on artists either from an A&R or management capacity.”Victor Victor Worldwide, which has eight employees in New York and Los Angeles, consists of a separate label, publishing, and management which Victor leads.
Clients that he’s currently working with include Pusha T and The-Dream. “I think entrepreneurial spirit and drive is the backbone of UMG so I’m happy that I get to continue to grow VVW with the company,” Victor continued. “I’m excited about the two newest signings – Pop Smoke on the recorded side and YoungKio (producer of “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X) publishing through CashGang and will have more announcements soon.”Paul Rosenberg, chairman and CEO of Def Jam Recording, wishes Victor the very best in this new capacity. “Steven’s move back to his centralized role with UMG was mutual and amicable,” he shared. “I look forward to continuing Def Jam’s close working relationship with Steven on a number of artists signed and developed during his time here, as well as with new Victor Victor artists in the future.”
