Morales Joins Def Jam As EVP, A&R

• Veteran A&R and artist development executive Riggs Morales has been appointed Executive Vice President, A&R at Def Jam Recordings.

Morales joins Def Jam after a decade with Atlantic Records, where he was appointed Vice President, A&R & Artist Development in 2014, and promoted to SVP, A&R & Artist Development in 2020. His work there resulted in two Grammy® nominations for Wiz Khalifa, and an Album of the Year Grammy® nomination for Janelle Monáe‘s Dirty Computer. In 2015, Morales signed and co-produced Hamilton: Original Broadway Cast Recording, which won the Grammy Award® for Best Musical and is now certified Diamond by the RIAA. Morales later executive-produced the all-star project, The Hamilton Mixtape (2016).

Prior to Atlantic, Morales worked for Goliath Artists, Inc., with a roster that included Eminem, Cypress Hill, Xzibit, The Alchemist and DJ Muggs, and was later appointed Director of A&R for the newly launched imprint, Shady Records. Morales began his career in hip-hop as a journalist with The Source, Vibe, XXL and The Fader.

The New York-based Morales will report directly to Tunji Balogun, Chairman & CEO, Def Jam Recordings, who commented, “Armed with an instinct for creative development that keeps his artists first, Riggs has carved out a unique place for himself in our business, along with an absolutely blockbuster resume. Our relationship spans over a decade, and I have always been impressed by his instincts, energy, and creativity. From his work with Shady Records, to his alliances with Lin Manuel Miranda and Janelle Monáe, to his time as an influential journalist, Riggs’ contributions to the culture are the stuff of legend. We’re excited to welcome Riggs to the Def Jam family.”

Morales remarked, “Growing up in New York City, Def Jam has served as a touchstone in my life for longer than I can remember. In my time as both a journalist and an executive, Def Jam has always been the pinnacle, the iconic hip-hop label, and the blueprint for others to follow. The roster and the culture that Tunji has built over the past two years is exactly where the future of this great label needs to lead — global, diverse, dynamic and artist-forward. As Def Jam heads into its 40th year, I look forward to bringing my energy and passion to the team at this pivotal and exciting moment in the story of one of the greatest labels of all time.”