Def Jam Bolsters A&R Ranks
• Def Jam Recordings EVP of A&R Steven Victor has strengthened his team with the promotion of Noah Preston to Senior Vice President, A&R and the appointment of Alexander “AE” Edwards as Vice President, A&R.
Preston (pictured) joined the Def Jam A&R department in 2009 and has served as Vice President since 2014. He signed Grammy-nominated artist Logic in 2012 and has also played a key role in the success of Jhene Aiko. “Def Jam is an incredibly supportive environment that truly nurtures creative talent,” said Preston. “Def Jam has afforded me the opportunity to work with artists I’m passionate about, along with a team I’m truly fortunate to work with. I appreciate and thank [Chairman & CEO] Paul Rosenberg and Steven Victor for allowing me to continue my future here at this great label.”
Oakland native “AE” is a frequent collaborator with Tyga and his Last Kings Records. AE and Victor recently signed 18-year-old YK Osiris, whose track “Valentines” generated 4 million YouTube views in less than a month. “Both Steven Victor and Paul Rosenberg built their careers developing artists, so it’s exciting for me to be part of a legendary label that understands artists and the culture,” said Edwards. “I was raised by the culture; I was influenced and impacted by it. We have the opportunity to sign and develop important, cultural artists based not only on ‘likes,’ but on instinct; to look past the data and recognize something special. It’s a super exciting time to be here at Def Jam.”
Victor said, “Our industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace but music and artistry will always remain at its core. I’m excited about the direction, energy and creative conversations we are having here at the label and within the creative communities. The A&R team we are building continues Def Jam’s legacy of discovering and developing some of the greatest talent in the world, setting us up for a successful future.” And speaking of that future, Def Jam has signed an exclusive joint venture deal with New Jersey-bred Ronny J and his Listen Up Forever Records imprint.
