Columbia Records has appointed Shawn Holiday and Phylicia Fant Co-heads of Urban Music.
Previously, Holiday was Senior Vice President, Urban A&R for Columbia, with Fant coming to Columbia from Warner Bros. Records where she was Senior Vice President of Publicity and Special Projects.
Holiday was appointed Senior Vice President, Urban A&R for Columbia in 2013.
During his tenure at Columbia Records, Holiday has played a key role in Columbia’s music partnership with the hit Fox TV series Empire, supervising multiple signature tracks and artist collaborations leading to a history making No.1 album debut.
He also oversaw Solange’s No.1 album A Seat At The Table, and brought T.I. to Columbia in 2014. He also worked with the likes of Keyshia Cole, 50 Cent, The Game, and Diddy.
In 2011 he was appointed Senior Vice President of A&R at RCA Records, where he worked prior to coming to Columbia.
Fant was previously Senior Vice President of Publicity and Special Projects for Warner Bros. Records where she worked on campaigns for Prince, Jason Derulo, Andra Day, Lil Pump, Gary Clark Jr., Bebe Rexha, Rza, Drake’s OVO Sound, Meek Mill, Wale, Wu Tang, Mac Miller, Marshmello, Gallant, Saweetie, and Common.
From 2001-2011 in her publicity role at Universal Music Group, Fant worked with the likes of Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Amy Winehouse, JoJo, Kid Cudi, QTip, Damien Marley, and Stephen Marley.
Outside of her roles at various labels, she launched The Purple Agency in 2008 as founder and CEO. Successes include Swizz Beatz, Daniel Caesar, and Luis Fonsi as well as projects for Coca-Cola, BET, HBO, Hennessy, and Red Bull.
“Shawn and Phylicia are two of the most respected executives within the hip hop/R&B creative community.”
“Shawn and Phylicia are two of the most respected executives within the hip hop/R&B creative community,” stated Ron Perry, Chairman and CEO of Columbia Records.
“Shawn’s skill for finding and developing talent and Phylicia’s abilities in lifestyle, marketing, and branding will extend the reach of our hip-hop and R&B roster. The entire company joins me in congratulating Shawn and Phylicia.”
“I want to thank Ron and I’m excited about the direction Ron is taking the label.”
Shawn Holiday
Holiday said: “I want to thank Ron and I’m excited about the direction Ron is taking the label.
“I look forward to working with Phylicia, furthering our urban roster’s impact as we continue to bring groundbreaking artists to Columbia Records.”
“Identifying lifestyle and entrepreneurial initiatives at such a dynamic renaissance period for black culture will create breakthrough opportunities for Columbia artists across all platforms.”
Phylicia Fant
Fant said: “I’m thrilled to play a role in Ron Perry’s bold new urban strategy. I’ve known Shawn since my earliest days in the business and I’m excited to partner with him to bring new depth to Columbia’s urban team.”
“Identifying lifestyle and entrepreneurial initiatives at such a dynamic renaissance period for black culture will create breakthrough opportunities for Columbia artists across all platforms.”Music Business Worldwide
