YouTube appoints former Warner Music boss

Lyor Cohen

YouTube has appointed music industry veteran and former Warner Music and Def Jam president Lyor Cohen as the video site’s global head of music.

Announcing the hire on Twitter, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki praised Cohen’s “impressive track record working with artists and [the] music industry”.

Cohen has 32 years experience, starting out in the 1980s as road manager for rap groups Run-D.M.C and the Beastie Boys.

He went on to manage both groups, alongside a host of rappers like LL Cool J, Public Enemy and Eric B and Rakim and then served as president of Def Jam Recordings for 10 years, eventually orchestrating the sale of the label to Universal in 1998.

After the buyout Cohen continued as president of Island Def Jam Music Group and then worked as CEO and president of recorded music at Warner Music Group between 2004 and 2012.

Most recently he has led US independent label 300 Entertainment, which counts Young Thug and Fetty Wap among its roster of artists.

Excited to welcome @lyorcohen as @YouTube‘s Global Head of Music. Impressive track record working w/artists & music industry. Welcome Lyor!

— Susan Wojcicki (@SusanWojcicki) September 28, 2016