YouTube Makes Bid to Smooth Music Industry Ties With Hire of Ex-Def Jam Boss
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YouTube has hired Lyor Cohen as its global head of music, entrusting the former Def Jam and Warner Music executive with improving the video site’s contentious relationship with the recording industry.
Mr. Cohen, who started his career under the tutelage of Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons, helped shape the music business and pop culture though his work with artists such as Run-DMC, Public Enemy and Ed Sheeran. Most recently, he founded 300 Entertainment, a boutique record label that scored a hit last year with rapper Fetty Wap.
After decades of watching new technologies transform the music business and the lives of his artists, Mr. Cohen will help YouTube and its parent Alphabet Inc. refurbish its image with artists. Some of the most powerful musicians have criticized YouTube for not doing enough to protect their copyrights, while labels have fought with the company over their share of revenue from advertising on music clips and videos.
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