Columbia Appoints Phylicia Fant & Shawn Holiday Co-Heads of Urban Music
Columbia Records has appointed Phylicia Fant and Shawn Holiday co-heads of urban music at the Sony Music label, it was announced Wednesday by Columbia CEO and chairman Ron Perry.
Columbia Records has appointed Phylicia Fant and Shawn Holiday co-heads of urban music at the Sony Music label, it was announced Wednesday by Columbia CEO and chairman Ron Perry. Holiday previously held the role of senior vp, urban A&R at Columbia, while his new co-worker arrives from Warner Bros., where she was svp of publicity and special projects.
“Shawn and Phylicia are two of the most respected executives within the hip hop/R&B creative community,” commented Perry. “Shawn’s skill for finding and developing talent and Phylicia’s abilities in lifestyle, marketing, and branding will extend the reach of our hip-hop and R&B roster. The entire company joins me in congratulating Shawn and Phylicia.”
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Since joining Columbia in 2013, Holiday has been instrumental in the label’s partnership with the Fox series Empire, having supervised several artist collaborations and tracks for the show’s chart-topping album. Other highlights include working closely with Solange on her A Seat At the Table album, and signing T.I. in 2014. Prior to Columbia, he held svp roles at Interscope and RCA Records.
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“I want to thank Ron and I’m excited about the direction Ron is taking the label,” stated Shawn. “I look forward to working with Phylicia, furthering our urban roster’s impact as we continue to bring groundbreaking artists to Columbia Records.”
Prior to Columbia, Fant helped guide numerous global campaigns for a wide-ranging slate Warner Bros. artists, including Prince, Bebe Rexha, Gary Clark Jr., Marshmello, Jason Derulo, Lil Pump, Meek Mill, Mac Miller and Drake’s OVO Sound, among others. From 2001-2011, she worked publicity at Universal Music Group, helping to boost media impact for artists including Amy Winehouse, Kid Cudi and Erykah Badu. Fant is also founder and CEO of The Purple Agency, a multi-discipline agency that specializes in public relations, publicity, marketing and events.
“I’m thrilled to play a role in Ron Perry’s bold new urban strategy,” said Fant. “I’ve known Shawn since my earliest days in the business and I’m excited to partner with him to bring new depth to Columbia’s urban team. Identifying lifestyle and entrepreneurial initiatives at such a dynamic renaissance period for black culture will create breakthrough opportunities for Columbia artists across all platforms.”
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