Kevin Liles, co-founder and current chairman and CEO of 300 Entertainment, has announced that he’s leaving the label that brought the world stars like Megan Thee Stallion, Young Thug, and Migos.
Billboard got a copy of a resignation letter Liles wrote to staff at the company. In it, he said he will be “stepping aside” at the end of this month, though he will stay on as a consultant through the end of the year.
The move comes amid a number of significant changes in the upper reaches of 300’s parent company, Warner Music Group. CEO Max Lousada left recently, as did Julie Greenwald, longtime head of WMG company Atlantic Records.
Liles said he will be devoting his time to “continuing the fight to end the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics exemplified by the unjust prosecution of [Young Thug].”
He wrote: “The cultural impact we created in 10 years when starting from scratch is simply unmatched in the modern era. We transformed our value proposition – ‘mindset of independent, muscle of a major’ – into a model for the rest of the industry to chase in this new era of music.
“But if there’s one consistent in music and culture, it’s that change is inevitable.”
In addition, Liles said that “in the short-term, I’ll be dedicating all my other time to making history by electing Kamala Harris as the first African-American female President, as well as holding the Senate and winning back the House to make Hakeem Jeffries the first African-American Speaker.”
The letter referenced a number of songs by 300 artists.
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“As we created the first ever label ecosystem in the industry, we celebrated Trap Queens, we Dripped Too Hard as a Lifestyle, and it was always a Hot Girl Summer, even on our Skis,” he wrote. “We have leaders like the Bad and Boujee Rayna Bass who can switch between Pushin P and being Savage with No Promises other than excellence.”
300 Entertainment was launched in 2012 by former Def Jam Recordings executive Lyor Cohen, Roger Gold, Liles and Todd Moscowitz. It was acquired by WMG in 2021.
“At Warner Music, the independent spirit is part of our story, our DNA, and our vision,” Max Lousada said at the time. “We’re creating the environment for original artists, entrepreneurs, and labels to pioneer the future of music. The 300 team has built an extraordinary brand, attracted a dynamic community of artists, and led the way for a new generation of labels.
“We’ll bring their artists and team a whole universe of opportunities to ignite passionate fanbases and develop long-term careers. We’re very happy to welcome 300 fully into the Warner community of labels, and Kevin to his new role on our senior management team.”
