Jeff Vaughn is an American music executive. He is the Founder and CEO of Signal Records, a joint venture with Columbia Records.[1] Until 2021, he was the Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group. He was the featured executive in Billboard's 40 Under 40 list in 2021.[2]
Early life and education
editVaughn was born in Virginia. He graduated from Duke University.[3]
Career
editVaughn started his career at United Talent Agency. In 2011, he joined newly launched Artist Partner Group, then a joint venture with Atlantic Records.[4] During his time at Artist Partner Group, he signed and worked closely with hip hop/R&B powerhouses Youngboy Never Broke Again, Kehlani, Kevin Gates, NLE Choppa, NoCap, Rico Nasty, Lil Skies and Don Toliver, among others.[5] He was also instrumental in the signing of Young Thug to Atlantic.[6]
In 2020, he became the President of Capitol Records,[5] and became Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group the next year.[7] Under his leadership, the label signed RIAA multi-platinum certified artist Toosii and Kay Flock and secured the label's first No. 1 album on Billboard's Top R&B Albums Chart in decades with Queen Naija's missunderstood album. The label also saw success with numerous RIAA multi-platinum and platinum certified releases from new artists, including Capella Grey's Gyalis, Surf Mesa's ily (i love you baby) and Mooski's Track Star.[8]
He was honored in the cover story of Billboard’s 40 Under 40 list in 2021 for reinvigorating the Capitol roster and expanding the label’s investments in hip hop and R&B.[8]
In 2022, he founded the Los Angeles-based record label Signal Records and became its CEO.[9]
References
edit- ^ Barshad, Amos. "Meet the Artists Reinventing Hip Hop on YouTube and TikTok". Wired. ISSN 1059-1028. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ "40 Under 40: Billboard Reveals 2021 List of Trailblazing Young Music Executives". Billboard. 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ Schneider, Marc (2022-09-28). "Columbia Launches Signal Records With Jeff Vaughn at Helm". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ "Top A&R Executive Jeff Vaughn Headed for Senior Position at Capitol". Variety. 2019-11-27. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ a b "Jeff Vaughn Named President of Capitol Records". Variety. 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
- ^ Newman, Melinda (2019-12-03). "Jeff Vaughn Named President of Capitol Records". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Paine, Andre (2020-11-05). "Capitol Music Group chairman & CEO Steve Barnett announces retirement". Music Week. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
- ^ a b Mitchell, Gail (2021-08-26). "Jeff Vaughn Is Writing the Next Chapter of Capitol Music Group History". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
- ^ Aswad, Jem (2022-09-28). "Columbia Records and Former Capitol Chief Jeff Vaughn Launch New Label, Signal". Variety. Retrieved 2024-03-02.