Kevin Weaver

Last updated
Kevin Weaver
Kevin Weaver.png
TitlePresident of Atlantic Records, West Coast
Term2017–present

Kevin Weaver is an American record producer and record executive who has served as President West Coast of Atlantic Records in Los Angeles since 2017. [1] He has been with the label since 1994 and became President of Film and Television in 2014. [2]

Contents

Weaver is best known for producing popular film soundtracks such as Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2015), Suicide Squad: The Album (2016), The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (2017), Barbie: The Album (2023), Daisy Jones & The Six – AURORA (2023), and Twisters: The Album (2024).

Weaver is a multi–Grammy Award winner and nominee, [3] [4] [5] a Brit Award winner, [6] and a multiple American Music Award and Billboard Music Award winner. He has executive produced soundtracks with RIAA multi-platinum [7] certifications, and his productions have included songs that have won Grammy Awards, Academy Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. In 2018, Rolling Stone described him as a "soundtrack guru." [8]

He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) and the Recording Academy.

In 2019, Weaver was included in Atlantic's group entry at number nine on Billboard's "Power 100 List", and in 2020 and 2022, [9] he was among those included in Billboard Magazine's re-branded "Power List" of the top executives in the music industry, alongside Atlantic Records co-chairs Craig Kallman and Julie Greenwald, and Atlantic's President of Black Music, Mike Kyser. [10]

Career

Early career and Atlantic Records

Weaver began his career at Atlantic Records in Los Angeles in 1994, joining the label’s Lava imprint in 1995 to oversee soundtrack projects. [5] From 1998 to 2000, he worked at Tommy Boy Music in A&R before returning to Lava. In 2006, he was promoted to Senior Vice President of Atlantic Records. [11]

He became Executive Vice President of Atlantic Records Group in 2009, President of Film & Television in 2014, [2] and President of Atlantic Records West Coast in 2017. [1]

Beginning in 2009 Weaver operated a publishing joint venture with Atlantic Records and Warner/Chappell Music. [2]

He has also produced television and film specials, including NBC’s Ed Sheeran – Live at Wembley Stadium (2015), [12] Coldplay’s Ghost Stories special (2014), Brandi Carlile’s In The Canyon Haze for IMAX and HBO, [13] and the feature-length Lizzo documentary Love, Lizzo (HBO, 2022). [14]

Productions

Weaver is credited as an album producer on many commercially successful soundtrack releases, having "built a reputation in Hollywood for turning movie soundtracks into cultural moments that are just as big as the films themselves." [15]

2010s

In 2008 and 2010 he produced the Grammy-nominated True Blood Volumes 1 & 2 soundtracks, and in 2012 the 'Girls Volume 1' soundtrack. [16] He was a producer of Boardwalk Empire, Vol. 1 (Music From The HBO Original Series) which won a Grammy Award in 2010 for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. [17]

He produced the 2014 soundtrack for The Fault In Our Stars [18]

In 2015, Weaver produced the Furious 7: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album, [19] which peaked at #1 on the US Billboard 200 Chart and also hit #1 on iTunes in over 65 territories. The soundtrack included the single “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa (featuring Charlie Puth). [20] The single has since garnered over 4.5 Billion streams and sold over 5 million singles worldwide.[5][6]

In 2016, Weaver produced Suicide Squad (soundtrack) , the soundtrack companion to the Warner Bros. film Suicide Squad. [21] The soundtrack debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and set a record for the most streams in a week for a soundtrack album. [22]

He produced in 2017 The Greatest Showman – Original Motion Picture Soundtrack which sold over 5.3 million copies worldwide. [23] It spent three consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Albums chart and broke Suicide Squad: The Album’s record for all-time top streaming weeks for a soundtrack. It reached #1 on iTunes in 75 countries. [24] The soundtrack included the single "This Is Me" which was nominated for a Best Original Song Academy Award [25] and won the Golden Globe award for Best Original Song – Motion Picture. [26] The song surpassed 160 million streams globally [27] and was remixed by producer Dave Audé for a dance-oriented version. [28] In 2018 it gained feature exposure when it was featured in NBCUniversal's promotional campaign for the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. [29]

Weaver also produced the 2017 Bright soundtrack, which included tracks by Portugal. the Man, Steve Aoki & Lil Uzi Vert, and ASAP Rocky & Tom Morello. [30]

2020s

The Weaver-produced Birds of Prey soundtrack came out in early 2020 [31] and included Doja Cat's "Boss Bitch."

Weaver was a producer of 2023's Aurora (Daisy Jones & the Six album , the studio and soundtrack album promoting the Amazon Prime miniseries Daisy Jones & the Six . The album was nominated for a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. [32]

Weaver was compilation producer (with Mark Ronson and Brandon Davis) for Barbie The Album , the 2024 Grammy winner for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, [33] and for 2024's F1: The Album and Twisters: The Album. [34] The Twisters soundtrack was a Grammy nominee for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media. [35]

Other soundtrack credits

Weaver's other credits as executive producer and/or A&R executive for soundtracks include Avatar(Music from the Motion Picture), Paper Towns, The Hangover 1 & 2, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, Rio 2, Michael Bay's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Step Up 2 & 3, and Happy Feet.

TV

Weaver was an executive producer for Ed Sheeran's one-hour NBC television special in 2015, "Ed Sheeran - Live at Wembley Stadium," [36] and spearheaded the deal for Coldplay's 2014 NBC concert special "Ghost Stories". [37] In 2013, he produced CeeLo Green's “Magic Moment” Broadcast Christmas Special at Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino, and was an A&R Executive on the Cee Lo's Magic Moment album. [38]

Artist development

Weaver has been involved in the development of the careers of artists such as Kid Rock, Bruno Mars, Fun, Icona Pop, [39] Flo Rida, [19] James Blunt, [40] Christina Perri, [41] Charli XCX, [42] Ed Sheeran, [36] [43] Matchbox Twenty, Flo Rida, T.I., Jason Mraz, Christina Perri, James Blunt, Cee Lo Green, [44] Zac Brown, [45] Jewel, and numerous others.

Awards

Grammy Awards
YearNominated workAwardResult
2009True BloodBest Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
2010True Blood - Volume 2Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual MediaNominated
2011Boardwalk Empire: Volume 1Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual MediaWon
2016Suicide Squad (Collector's Edition)Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual MediaNominated
2016Vinyl: The Essentials Season 1Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual MediaNominated
2024Barbie: The AlbumBest Compilation Soundtrack for Visual MediaWon
Golden Globes
YearNominated workAwardResult
2016"See You Again" Wiz Khalifa (featuring Charlie Puth), Furious 7: Original Motion Picture SoundtrackBest Original Song - Motion PictureNominated
2018"This Is Me" Keala Settle, The Greatest ShowmanBest Original Song - Motion PictureWon
American Music Awards
YearNominated workAwardResult
2014The Fault In Our Stars (Music from the Motion Picture)Favorite SoundtrackNominated for this
2016Suicide Squad: The AlbumFavorite SoundtrackNominated for this
2018The Fate of the Furious: The AlbumFavorite SoundtrackNominated for this
2018The Greatest Showman: Original Motion Picture SoundtrackFavorite SoundtrackNominated for this
Academy Awards
YearNominated workAwardResult
2024"This Is Me" from Barbie Best Original SongWon
Video Music Awards
YearNominated workAwardResult
2014"Boom Clap" Charli XCX, The Fault In Our StarsArtist To WatchNominated
2015"See You Again" Wiz Khalifa (featuring Charlie Puth), Furious 7: Original Motion Picture SoundtrackBest Hip-Hop VideoNominated
2015"See You Again" Wiz Khalifa (featuring Charlie Puth), Furious 7: Original Motion Picture SoundtrackBest CollaborationNominated
2016"Heathens" Twenty One Pilots, Suicide Squad: The AlbumBest Rock VideoWon
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
YearNominated workAwardResult
2017Suicide Squad: The AlbumFavorite SoundtrackWon

Philanthropy

ACLU

In 2006 Weaver was honored with the prestigious ACLU Bill of Rights Awards. Co-honorees included The Dixie Chicks and director Paul Haggis. Weaver raised nearly half a million dollars towards the support and litigation of cases and other needs that protect Constitutional Civil Rights.

T.J. Martell Foundation

Weaver has been a board member of the T.J. Martell Foundation since 2008, chairing the annual TJ Martell West Coast Family Day Event multiple times. He is responsible for raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to support funding for pediatric cancer, leukemia and AIDS treatment research.

References

  1. 1 2 Jem Aswad (2017-09-27). "Kevin Weaver Named West Coast President of Atlantic Records". Variety. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  2. 1 2 3 Phil Gallo (2014-04-28). "Atlantic Records Group Ups Kevin Weaver to President, Film & TV". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  3. "Kevin Weaver". grammy.com. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  4. "The Music Behind Barbie: A Night Celebrating Barbie The Album". grammymuseum.org. 2023-09-27. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  5. 1 2 Marc Schneider (2017-09-27). "Atlantic Names Kevin Weaver President, West Coast". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  6. "All the winners from the Classic BRIT Awards". Music Week. Archived from the original on 2018-07-18. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  7. "Atlantic Records Promotes Kevin Weaver to President, West Coast". Music Business Worldwide. 2017-09-28. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  8. Elias Leight (2018-03-20). "How Today's Blockbuster Soundtracks Are Launching Artists to Stardom". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  9. Billboard Staff (2022-01-26). "The 2022 Billboard Power List Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2022-03-28.
  10. "Billboard's 2019 Power 100 List Revealed". Billboard. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  11. "Atlantic Names Senior VP". Billboard. 2006-08-07. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  12. "Ed Sheeran Announces One-Hour Television Special". Warner Music Group. 2015-07-24. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  13. "HBO Original Concert Special BRANDI CARLILE: IN THE CANYON HAZE – LIVE FROM LAUREL CANYON Debuts July 1". Warner Bros. Discovery. 2023-06-21. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  14. "'Love, Lizzo: How to Watch Lizzo's HBO Max Documentary for Free". Billboard. 2022-11-23. Retrieved 2025-10-28.
  15. Emily Selleck (2025-05-16). "The 'F1' Movie's Secret Weapon: "Barbie" Soundtrack Producer Kevin Weaver". Motorsport. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  16. Melina Ryzik (2012-12-10). "A 'Girls' Soundtrack Album Is On the Way". New York Times. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  17. Jeff Schwachter (2012-02-08). "A Grammy for Atlantic City: 'Boardwalk Empire' Soundtrack Wins Grammy". Atlantic City Weekly. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  18. "Ed Sheeran, Jake Bugg, Grouplove and Lykke Li Featured on Soundtrack to 'The Fault in Our Stars'". The Hollywood Reporter . 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  19. 1 2 Phil Gallo (2015-02-17). "'Furious 7' Soundtrack Launches With Seven Singles". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  20. Gary Trust (2015-04-15). "Wiz Khalifa's 'See You Again' Knocks 'Uptown Funk' Off No. 1 on Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  21. Elias Leight (2016-08-12). "How the 'Suicide Squad' Soundtrack Came to Life". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  22. Keith Caulfield (2016-08-14). "Suicide Squad Soundtrack Debuts at No. 1 on Billboard 200 chart". Billboard. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  23. Beech, Mark (December 26, 2018). "'Greatest Showman' Matches Adele, Beatles Records As Soundtracks Make A Comeback". Forbes . Archived from the original on December 29, 2018. Retrieved January 4, 2019.
  24. Caryn Robbins (2018-01-23). "GREATEST SHOWMAN Soundtrack Spends Third Week at No. 1 on Billboard". Broadway World. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  25. Dana Rose Falcone; Dave Quinn (2018-03-04). "'The Greatest Showman' 's Keala Settle Wows with Emotional Performance of 'This Is Me' at the Oscars". People. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  26. Jem Aswad (2018-01-07). "Golden Globes: 'This Is Me' From 'The Greatest Showman' Wins Best Original Song". Variety. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  27. Kirsten Chuba (2018-02-23). "'This Is Me' Catapults 'Greatest Showman' Soundtrack Toward One Billion Streams". Variety. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  28. "'This Is Me' Keala". daveaude.com. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  29. "NBC to Use Keala Settle's 'This Is Me' to Spark Attention for Winter Olympics". Variety. 2018-02-03. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  30. Trace William Cowen (2017-11-08). "Exclusive: Peep the Tracklist for Netflix's 'Bright' Soundtrack f/ Lil Uzi Vert, Future, and More". Complex. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  31. Claire Shaffer (2020-02-07). "Why the Birds of Prey Soundtrack Is Better Than It Has Any Right to Be". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  32. "2024 GRAMMY Nominations: See The Full Nominees List". Grammy Awards . Retrieved 2023-11-11.
  33. Christy Piña (2024-02-04). "'Barbie' Music Wins Big at the Grammys as Billie Eilish Praises Director Greta Gerwig". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  34. Ethan Millman (2025-06-27). "The 'Barbie,' 'Twisters' Soundtrack Producer Hopes to Strike Gold Again With 'F1'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  35. Marcus K. Dowling (2024-12-31). "'Twisters' soundtrack helps spearhead Nashville country music industry's pop growth". The Tennessean. Retrieved 2025-10-31.
  36. 1 2 "Ed Sheeran Announces One-Hour Television Special" (Press release). Warner Music Group. 2015-07-24. Retrieved 2025-11-03.
  37. "Kevin Weaver Named President, Film & Television for Atlantic Records Group". Marketwire.[ verification needed ]
  38. "Atlantic Records Group Ups Kevin Weaver To President, Film & TV". Billboard . Retrieved 2016-08-17.[ verification needed ]
  39. Phil Gallo (2014-01-14). "'Girls' Music Supervisor Manish Raval Talks About Finding 'Cool Music'". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  40. Chris Morris (2009-09-27). "Music exec looks to film". Variety. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  41. "I Don't Wanna Break". Apple Music. 2014-04-01. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  42. Kat Ramkumar (2023-06-30). "Charli XCX Shares New Song "Speed Drive" From the "Barbie" Movie Soundtrack". Under the Radar. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  43. "Atlantic Records to Release "The Fault in Our Stars - Music from the Motion Picture"; Musical Companion to Eagerly Awaited Film Includes New Tracks From Such Acclaimed Artists as Ed Sheeran, Grouplove, Lykke Li, Birdy and Charli XCX; Soundtrack Available to Pre-Order Now "The Fault in Our Stars - Music from the Motion Picture" Arrives Everywhere on May 19th" (Press release). New York, NY: Yahoo. 2014-04-14. Retrieved 2025-11-05.
  44. ""CeeLo's Magic Moment" to Air Exclusively on TV Guide Network 11/30 at 8PM" (Press release). New York, NY: Primary Wave. 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2025-11-06.
  45. "Where the River Goes". Apple Music. 2011-09-23. Retrieved 2025-11-06.