Faith Newman (born in Fairfax County, Virginia) is an American A&R executive and music industry leader, best known for signing rapper Nas and co-executive producing his landmark debut album, Illmatic. [1][2][3] She has held senior roles at major labels including Def Jam, Columbia Records, and Jive Records, and currently serves as Executive Vice President of A&R and Catalog Development at Reservoir Media[citation needed] Newman has been featured in Billboard’s Women in Music and R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players lists, and is recognized for her decades-long influence on the development of hip hop and R&B.[4]
Newman was born at Fort Belvoir in Fairfax County, Virginia, while her father, a physician in the U.S. Army, was stationed there during the Vietnam War. The hospital where she was born—formerly known as Fort Belvoir Community Hospital—is now called Alexander T. Augusta Military Medical Center (ATAMMC), located within the Fort Belvoir military installation. After a deployment in Japan, her family returned to Philadelphia, where she was raised.[citation needed]
Growing up in Philadelphia, Newman developed a deep connection to the city's rich musical heritage, particularly the "Philly Soul" sound. In a 2014 guest column for Stargayzing, she reflected on the impact of artists like Teddy Pendergrass and Gamble & Huff on her formative years, writing: "Philly Soul is in my blood… the horns, the rhythm section, the strings, the songwriting. It was like candy to me."[5]
She was first introduced to hip hop at age 13 while roller skating in Philadelphia and became interested in a music career at 14 after attending her first concert — The Cars at Spectrum in Philadelphia in 1980.[6]
Her first industry experience was an internship at rap label Select Records, which she secured in 1986 through a connection made after participating in a fashion show at Studio 54.[7]
At Def Jam, she contributed to establishing the company's administrative foundation, including the development of its Artists and Repertoire (A&R) and Publishing divisions. In 1989, Newman was appointed Vice President of A&R, working with artists such as Public Enemy, Slick Rick, and LL Cool J.
Columbia Records
In 1991, Newman moved to Columbia Records to lead its newly formed hip-hop division, where she signed Nas[9][10] to his first record deal and Co-Executive Produced his critically acclaimed debut, Illmatic.[11][12] She was also credited by The Acid Jazz founder/managing director Eddie Piller to signing Jamiroquai[13][14] and worked with Big L and The Fugees during her tenure.
Newman was recognized on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list.[20] Newman was also recognized on Billboard's Women in Music Top Executives list in 2022[21] 2023, 2024, and 2025 as well as on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list in 2022, 2023, and 2024 and 2025.[22]
In 2023, Newman was among the executives nominated for Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players Choice Award.[23]
Legacy and impact
Newman helped sign and develop Nas, whose 1994 debut album Illmatic has been described as a hip-hop classic.[24]
Faith Newman is credited with instigating the Laugh to Keep from Crying project by Philly funk band Nat Turner Rebellion along with professors Marc Offenbach and Toby Seay and their students in the Drexel University Music Industry as well as executives from Vinyl Me, Please. The album was issued March 19, 2019 by Drexel University’s student-run Mad Dragon label in partnership with music publishing company Reservoir Media and online record club Vinyl Me, Please.[25]
She currently serves as a board member for The Hip Hop Museum in the Bronx, New York, which is set to open in 2026.[6]
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