Preston Upped To EVP/A&R @ Def Jam

• Veteran Def Jam A&R exec Noah Preston, whose work on Jhene Aiko‘s Chilombo earned it a Grammy nomination for Album Of The Year has been promoted to Executive Vice President, A&R.

Based in Santa Monica, Preston reports directly to Jeff Harleston, Interim CEO, Def Jam Recordings, who remarked, “Noah has played a pivotal role in successfully bringing home some of Def Jam’s most important core artists over the course of the past ten years. As the roster continues to expand its scope and direction, Noah’s contributions make him one of the prime architects of Def Jam’s future. This is a well-deserved promotion, as we welcome him to the executive management team.”

Preston was raised in Los Angeles and has spent his entire career at Def Jam, the last three years as SVP of A&R. He joined the label as an A&R Department intern in 2009, while attending Loyola Marymount University. He was brought onto the staff during his senior year in 2010, and signed his friend Jhené Aiko to the label. He signed Logic in 2012, and was promoted to VP of A&R, in 2014, and SVP in 2018. In 2020, Preston achieved the rare feat of helming No. 1 albums in both R&B — Chilombo by Jhené Aiko, and Hip-Hop — No Pressure by Logic. He’s currently in the studio working with YG on his sixth studio album, and with Hit-Boy on his debut album.

“I’m grateful to have worked for Def Jam from intern to EVP, and I appreciate Jeff Harleston for continuing to believe in me,” said Preston. “It’s a dream being from L.A. and getting to work with local legends like Jhene, YG, and Hitboy. Def Jam has always been a label that has supported artists and their creative vision and expression. I’m excited to help continue to grow that legacy even further.”