Beese Named Pres. of Island Records
• Universal Music Group (UMG) announced that Darcus Beese OBE, has been named President of Island Records and will join UMG’s U.S. label leadership team. Reese (pictured), who had lead Island Records U.K. since 2013, will succeed David Massey as President of Island Records in New York, effective July 1.
In making the announcement, Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, said, “Few in the music industry have Darcus’s track record of creative and commercial success. I’ve had the pleasure over the years of working closely with Darcus, who has impeccable creative instincts and takes a long-term view of artist development. I’m thrilled he is taking on this new role and I’m excited to support him in signing, developing and breaking many more artists.”
Island Records U.K. has been Beese’s home for nearly his entire music career — he started as an intern in Island’s promotion department in 1989, and worked his way up through the company, holding numerous jobs including A&R director, where his signings included Amy Winehouse, Sugababes and Taio Cruz. In 2008, Beese was named co-President of the label with Ted Cockle, where they developed Mumford & Sons and Florence + the Machine, among others. Beese was named President of Island U.K. in 2013.
Beese said, “Island Records was founded nearly 60 years ago by Chris Blackwell to serve as the home for boundary-defying and maverick artists with the ability to move popular culture. To this day, that mission continues to define and drive Island, whether in the U.K. or U.S., and I couldn’t be more proud to play a role in carrying on that legacy. I’m grateful to Sir Lucian for this opportunity and I’d like to thank my U.K. boss and friend David Joseph for his generous support through the years. I’m looking forward to working closely with Michele Anthony, Monte Lipman as well as Eric Wong and the excellent team at Island.” [Photo credit: Rankin]
