Executive Action: Capitol Music Group
• Capitol Records has hired Justin Grant as Senior Vice President/Head of Urban Digital and elevated Dante Smith to Head of Motown Digital.
Grant (left) joins Capitol after a decade with Atlantic Records, where he worked his way up from intern to VP, Digital Marketing & Sports Partnerships. Grant will be based in New York and oversee the creation and execution of digital marketing campaigns on the label’s growing roster of R&B and hip hop artists across Capitol, Motown and Priority Records. “Justin has a proven track record in building some of the best known artists brands in the world,” said Tom March, Chairman & CEO of Capitol Music Group. “He knows what it takes to break artists. He is hugely respected and exceptional at what he does and I know our artists and staff are going to benefit from his years of experience as he comes in to lead the Urban Digital team at Capitol.”
Grant said, “I’m honored to join the legacy of Capitol Records and lead the incredible urban digital marketing team as we continue to break the next great generation of artists.”
Smith (right) joined Capitol in 2020, after stints at Revolt TV and HipHopDX. He began his career in 2013 as an intern for Epic Records in New York. In his new role, Smith will be based in Capitol’s Hollywood HQ and oversee digital marketing campaigns for Motown’s roster, D2C efforts, and branding of Motown Records, while continuing to champion and collaborate with artists across Capitol’s roster.
“Dante is loved by our artists and the entire team,” said March. “He has delivered brilliant marketing campaigns for a number of years now for artists across the roster and I’m excited to be working with him to develop the Motown brand for the future.”
Smith remarked, “Working at Capitol to help develop and drive our artist brands has been hugely gratifying. I’m honored to have the opportunity to help grow the presence of the iconic Motown Records brand, which was built by icons and inspires new legends.” [Grant photo: Matt Licari/Jordan Strauss Photography / Smith photo: Courtesy of Capitol Motown Records]
