Kevin Liles Steps Down as Chairman and CEO of 300 Entertainment
The music executive co-founded 300 in 2014 as an independent record label.
Kevin Liles has stepped down as chairman and CEO of Warner Music's 300 Entertainment.
On Tuesday, the label executive announced he would be leaving at the end of September but would remain as a consultant throughout the year. In his memo, Liles championed the company and the legacy that was built over time.
"The cultural impact we created in 10 years when starting from scratch is simply unmatched in the modern era," said Liles. "We transformed our value proposition – 'mindset of independent, muscle of a major' – into a model for the rest of the industry to chase in this new era of music. But if there's one consistent in music and culture, it's that change is inevitable."
Liles's exit comes after several people have left the company, including EO of recorded music Max Lousada and longtime Atlantic chief Julie Greenwald. WMG CEO Robert Kyncl added that Liles would not be replaced at 300 and that executives Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab will take over. He also called Liles a "charismatic leader" for what he's been able to do with different roles within the company.
"Kevin is one of those charismatic leaders who's been successful in many different roles…artist manager, label founder, entrepreneur, senior executive…he even started out as a DJ and songwriter," he wrote. "That's given him a 360 vision that makes him an extraordinary brand-builder, artist advocate, and champion of creative expression. With 300 Entertainment, he has been instrumental in growing a distinct identity from the ground up, to a level that few other new labels have matched in the last twenty years."
Liles founded 300 as an independent label in 2014 alongside Lyor Cohen, Todd Moscowitz, and Roger Gold, and it quickly became a powerhouse in the industry. Over the years, the label has signed and developed stars such as Megan Thee Stallion, Gunna, Migos, Fetty Wap, and Young Thug, among others. WMG acquired the label in 2021 and combined it with Atlanta Music Group to create 300 Elektra Entertainment Group.
