Warner Music Group (WMG) has officially relaunched its Asylum Records label in the US.
The label will be headed by long-time WMG executive Kenny Weagly, who has been named President. In addition, Grammy-winning producer Dante Ross has been named Senior Vice President, A&R.
MBW first reported the news back in January.
“Asylum was founded with artistic freedom as its guiding principle,” said Weagly, “and the new Asylum expands on that ideal by believing in and supporting our artists’ visions for their music, as well as when and how they want to release it.
“Our mantra is nimbleness and flexibility – the ability to tailor-make deals, from singles projects to multi-album careers – for original artists across a spectrum of genres.”
Asylum Records was relaunched in the UK in 2008 by Ben Cook (now President of Atlantic Records UK). Ed Howard is now A&R Director of the UK unit.
Asylum Records UK and the new Asylum Records U.S. will remain two separate entities.
“Our mantra is nimbleness and flexibility – the ability to tailor-make deals, from singles projects to multi-album careers – for original artists across a spectrum of genres.”
Kenny Weagly, Asylum
The U.S. label operates independently with Weagly reporting to Eliah Seton, Worldwide President of ADA, which is part of WMG’s services division, led by Stu Bergen, CEO of International and Global Commercial Services, WMG.
Eliah Seton commented: “Kenny will be a strong leader for Asylum because he has a true independent’s approach to artist development, combined with deep experience within the WMG family. He knows how to marshal the best support network to help create breakthrough moments in music.
“Dante is a gifted champion of talent, whose A&R instincts and experience have led him to sign game-changing artists and deliver platinum hits. Together, Kenny and Dante will be a magnet for unique, compelling talent.”
Warner Music Group CEO, Recorded Music, Max Lousada, said: “We’re committed to encouraging entrepreneurship and nurturing diverse musical cultures within the WMG family.
“Asylum is one of the most revered brands in the music industry, and by relaunching it in the U.S. as a label that’s all about musical independence and flexibility, we are opening another avenue for fresh, innovative artistry to thrive.”
Asylum Records U.S. has already scored an RIAA certified platinum hit with “Water,” the massive viral track from the label’s first signing, rapper Ugly God.
“Asylum is one of the most revered brands in the music industry, and by relaunching it in the U.S. as a label that’s all about musical independence and flexibility, we are opening another avenue for fresh, innovative artistry to thrive.”
Max Lousada, Warner Music Group
Kenny Weagly most recently served as President, A&R and Label Services for ADA Worldwide, where he secured deals with a variety of artists, labels, managers, and publishing companies, including Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Metallica, Q Prime Management, Flatbush Zombies, Dim Mak, PRMD Music, and Mute, among others, while overseeing the division’s marketing and promotion efforts around the world.
Weagly joined WMG in 2004 from Island Def Jam, where he worked with artists such as Bon Jovi, JAY-Z, and Mariah Carey. As GM of WMG’s Independent Label Group (ILG), he ran major campaigns for artists such as Dropkick Murphys and CAKE.
Dante Ross has been serving as VP of A&R at ADA since 2012, bringing in successful deals such as The CMSN, which yielded RIAA platinum singles from both Lil Dicky and MadeinTYO.
Beginning his career at Rush Management, Ross went on to hit-making stints at Tommy Boy and Elektra Records, working with artists such as De La Soul, Queen Latifah, Digital Underground, Brand Nubian, Busta Rhymes, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, and Everlast. He subsequently served as Director of A&R at Warner Bros. Records.
Ross was named one of the 25 Best A&Rs in Hip-Hop History by Complex magazine, and earned a Grammy Award for his work on Santana’s Supernatural.
Asylum Records has been part of WMG since the original label was founded in 1971 by David Geffen and Elliot Roberts.
It was reborn in 2004 as an urban music imprint in the U.S., signing notable hip-hop artists such as Waka Flocka Flame, Cam’ron, Gucci Mane, Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Bun B, and others.
Asylum UK is currently home to a roster of talent including Ed Sheeran, Charli XCX, Rudimental and Anne-Marie.Music Business Worldwide
