Interscope Records has promoted longtime A&R executive Manny Smith to SVP of A&R for the label.
Smith joined Interscope in 2003 as an intern and shortly transitioned into coordinating A&R activities.
His most notable signings include the Grammy Award-winning, platinum-selling Kendrick Lamar, who he signed to Interscope via a joint venture with Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath Entertainment.
Smith worked on Lamar’s major label debut, good kid, m.A.A.d city, which was released in 2012 to much critical acclaim.
Its follow up To Pimp a Butterfly landed seven Grammy nominations and was ranked as the best album of 2015 in Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, and Billboard.
“Manny is a skilled A&R executive and a tremendous asset to the company. I couldn’t be happier to give him this well-deserved promotion.”
john janick, interscope geffen A&M
John Janick, Chairman and CEO of Interscope Geffen A&M, said: “Manny is a skilled A&R executive and a tremendous asset to the company.
“He understands the artistic temperament, can read the demands of the marketplace, and most importantly, knows how to make a great record.
“I couldn’t be happier to give Manny this well-deserved promotion.”
Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith, Chairman and CEO of Top Dawg Entertainment, who works closely with Smith on Lamar and Schoolboy Q said: “In my eyes, Manny’s the best in the business.”
“Interscope has always set the bar high for the rest of the industry and taken chances on artists who end up leading the way in popular music. i’m happy to be part of that.”
manny smith, interscope records
Smith added: “Interscope has always set the bar high for the rest of the industry and taken chances on artists who end up leading the way in popular music.
“It’s a company that allows artists the room to explore their creative freedom, rather than just follow the latest trends.
“I’m happy to be a part of that, and to help sign the next wave of artists who are going to make an impact on music and culture.”
