As of this year, Karen Kwak is the executive vice president of A&R for Universal Music Group; she formerly served as head of A&R for Island Def Jam. Kwak’s first major move as an A&R was discovering the song “Umbrella” and bringing it to Rihanna. (She went on to sign the song’s writer and producer, The-Dream.) Her album credits include Rihanna’s Loud and Big Sean’s Finally Famous. She oversees Def Jam A&R Vice President Don Cannon, the Grammy-nominated DJ and producer instrumental in signing new hip-hop acts, including Logic (whose Def Jam debut, Under Pressure, recently entered the Billboard Rap charts at No. 2). Kwak played a role in signing Iggy Azalea to Island in 2013, leading to The New Classic becoming the highest-charting female rap album since Nicki Minaj’s sophomore album and spawning five singles, including “Fancy.”
Also Watch
Complex News
Daniel Kaluuya on Chadwick Boseman Story, His Unimpressed Mom & Judas & the Black Messiah | 360 With Speedy Morman
COMING UP NEXT
Complex News
Jake Paul Rips Floyd Mayweather for Taking Shots at Him
Complex News
Best Hip-Hop Producer Alive: Hit-Boy on Working with Nas, Big Sean, & Benny | 360 With Speedy Morman
Complex News
Benny the Butcher, Westside Gunn, & Deuce King Talk Griselda Films and ‘Conflicted’
Complex News
Lil Skies Talks New Album ‘Unbothered’ and Shares Take on Lil Wayne Supporting Trump
Complex News
How Music Artists Adapted to Covid-19’s New Normal
Complex News
Best Albums of 2020
Complex News
24kGoldn Talks “Mood” Going Viral & Shows Off Rare Snack Collection
Complex News
Pharrell Teases Rihanna Album, Lists Songs That Represent Him | 360 with Speedy Morman