Jeff Vaughn

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Jeff Vaughn is an American music executive. He is the Founder and CEO of Signal Records, a joint venture with Columbia Records. [1] Until 2021, he was the Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group. He was the featured executive in Billboard 's 40 Under 40 list in 2021. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

Vaughn was born in Virginia. He graduated from Duke University. [3]

Career

Vaughn started his career at United Talent Agency. In 2011, he joined newly launched Artist Partner Group, then a joint venture with Atlantic Records. [4] During his time at Artist Partner Group, he signed and worked closely with hip hop/R&B powerhouses Youngboy Never Broke Again, Kehlani, Kevin Gates, NLE Choppa, NoCap, Rico Nasty, Lil Skies and Don Toliver, among others. [5] He was also instrumental in the signing of Young Thug to Atlantic. [6]

In 2020, he became the President of Capitol Records, [5] and became Chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group the next year. [7] Under his leadership, the label signed RIAA multi-platinum certified artist Toosii and Kay Flock and secured the label's first No. 1 album on Billboard's Top R&B Albums Chart in decades with Queen Naija's missunderstood album. The label also saw success with numerous RIAA multi-platinum and platinum certified releases from new artists, including Capella Grey's Gyalis , Surf Mesa's ily (i love you baby) and Mooski's Track Star. [8]

He was honored in the cover story of Billboard’s 40 Under 40 list in 2021 for reinvigorating the Capitol roster and expanding the label’s investments in hip hop and R&B. [8]

In 2022, he founded the Los Angeles-based record label Signal Records and became its CEO. [9]

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References

  1. Barshad, Amos. "Meet the Artists Reinventing Hip Hop on YouTube and TikTok". Wired . ISSN   1059-1028 . Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  2. "40 Under 40: Billboard Reveals 2021 List of Trailblazing Young Music Executives". Billboard . 2021-08-26. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  3. Schneider, Marc (2022-09-28). "Columbia Launches Signal Records With Jeff Vaughn at Helm". Billboard . Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  4. "Top A&R Executive Jeff Vaughn Headed for Senior Position at Capitol". Variety . 2019-11-27. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  5. 1 2 "Jeff Vaughn Named President of Capitol Records". Variety . 2019-12-03. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  6. Newman, Melinda (2019-12-03). "Jeff Vaughn Named President of Capitol Records". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  7. Paine, Andre (2020-11-05). "Capitol Music Group chairman & CEO Steve Barnett announces retirement". Music Week. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  8. 1 2 Mitchell, Gail (2021-08-26). "Jeff Vaughn Is Writing the Next Chapter of Capitol Music Group History". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-10-22.
  9. Aswad, Jem (2022-09-28). "Columbia Records and Former Capitol Chief Jeff Vaughn Launch New Label, Signal". Variety . Retrieved 2024-03-02.