Widely respected music executive LaTrice Burnette has been appointed Executive Vice President, Def Jam Recordings / President, 4TH & Broadway.
The news was announced today (February 8) by Tunji Balogun, Chairman & CEO, Def Jam Recordings.
Burnette will also bring the 4TH & Broadway label to Def Jam Recordings, formerly a part of fellow Universal label Island Records.
4TH & Broadway was originally the flagship label of Island’s independent distribution company and focused on hip-hop and dance music by “legendary and influential” artists such as Eric B. & Rakim, Dream Warriors, Stereo MCs, Bomb the Bass and more.
Today, 4TH & Broadway’s includes Young Devyn, Lil Migo, Pap Chanel, Chiiild, and Kidd Kenn.
Burnette, who is based in New York, will report directly to Balogun.
In addition to her leadership roles at Def Jam and 4TH & Broadway, Burnette is Chair of the Programming and Curation Committee of Universal Music Group’s Task Forcefor Meaningful Change.
Burnette joined the UMG senior executive team in 2018, when she was appointed Executive Vice President and General Manager, Island Records.
At the label, she led the breakthrough creative and marketing campaigns for artists including Jessie Reyez, Skip Marley, Buju Banton, Toni Braxton, Emotional Oranges, Baby Rose, and many others.
Burnette came to UMG and Island after eight years at Epic Records, where she rose to Senior Vice President of Marketing.
Among her many achievements there, she was instrumental in the album release strategy that resulted in Future becoming the first artist in the 60-year history of the Billboard 200 to have two different albums debut back-to-back at No. 1.
She also led marketing campaigns for DJ Khaled, Travis Scott, Yo Gotti, Bobby Shmurda, Blac Youngsta, Ciara, Diddy, and others.
Born in Brooklyn, Burnette began her career in the music industry at Roc-A-Fella Records in 1999, while attending Pace University.
Burnette later worked at Atlantic Records, where she led digital marketing campaigns for the entire urban roster, as well as for labels including Asylum Records (Paul Wall, Mike Jones, Gucci Mane, Bun B) and Bad Boy Records (Diddy, Yung Joc, Danity Kane, Boyz N The Hood).
“I’m thrilled to welcome LaTrice to the Def Jam family.”
Tunji Balogun, Def Jam Recordings
“LaTrice is a proven leader, a consummate professional, and someone who’s work and reputation I’ve admired for a long time,” said Balogun.
“Her laser-sharp focus and business acumen, her expertise in artist development, and her experienced, holistic view of the both the marketplace and the industry make her a pivotal addition to the team we’re building here and the vision for where we’re headed.
“I’m thrilled to welcome LaTrice to the Def Jam family.”
“I am thrilled to join Def Jam, an iconic label and brand that’s been influential in music and culture for decades.”
Burnette
Burnette added: “I am thrilled to join Def Jam, an iconic label and brand that’s been influential in music and culture for decades.
“I thank Tunji for his support and I am excited for the incredible opportunity to work alongside the executive team, staff and amazing artists.
“I look forward to developing and breaking the next generation of global superstars under Tunji’s leadership and musical vision.”
