Steve Carless

Last updated
Steve Carless
Music Executive Steve Carless.jpg
Carless in 2023
Born (1983-01-31) January 31, 1983 (age 41)
Roselle, New Jersey, U.S.
Other names"Steve-O"
Education Kean University
Occupations
  • Record executive
  • A&R representative
  • songwriter
  • businessman
Years active2004–present
Labels
Website stevencarless.com

Steven Pierre Carless (born January 31, 1983), also known as "Steve-O", is an American record executive, talent manager, philanthropist and entrepreneur. He is best known for working with Nipsey Hussle. [1] In 2020, the duo received two Grammy Awards for the songs "Racks in the Middle" featuring Roddy Ricch and "Higher" with DJ Khaled. [2] [3]

Contents

He is an A&R executive for Republic Records, Senior Vice President of A&R and Artist Relations for Universal Music Group, Vice President of A&R for Def Jam Recordings, co-founder of Marathon Agency, and the founder of the Steven Carless Company. [4] [5] Carless was recognized in Billboard magazine's 40 Under 40 for 2020, as well as its Hip Hop Players Power List that same year, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. [2] [3] [6]

In December 2021, Carless was appointed President of A&R at Warner Records. [7] Also credited as Head of A&R, Associated Labels and Black Music.

In 2023 Carless launched Defiant Records in partnership with Warner Records [8]

Career

Carless has overseen the careers of multiple music artists, including Jeezy, YG, Dave East, Polo G, SAFE, Jadakiss and Nipsey Hussle. [9] [10] He started as an intern for Star Trak Entertainment and went on to become lifestyle and mixshow promotions at Island Def Jam Recordings thereafter. From 2012 to 2014, Carless was President of Jeezy's label CTE World and A&R Representative for Atlantic Records. [11] [12] In 2012, he began collaborating with Nipsey Hussle. [13] He co-wrote YG and Hussle's controversial diss track "FDT" in 2016. [10] [14] [15] In 2018, Carless collaborated with Hussle and served as management and one of the Executive Producers for the album Victory Lap , which earned a Grammy nomination for Grammy Award for Album of the Year. [16] [17] Carless also co-A&R'd Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift in 2019, earning an NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album (2020). [18] [19] The song Brown Skin Girl on the album won a Soul Train Music Awards (2019), an NAACP award (2020) and a Grammy award (2021). [20] [21]

In 2020, Carless executive produced the Nipsey Hussle tribute at the 62nd Grammy Awards. [22] In May 2020, Carless executive produced Polo G's album The Goat . [23] He also co-A&R'd a remix of Megan Thee Stallion "Savage" with Beyonce. [17]

He is a co-founder of the first Black music action coalition known as Republic Records Action Committee (R2AC), which works on social changes within the music industry. [24] [25] Carless is also Secretary of The Black Executive Excellence Association and a member of the Universal Music Group Task Force for Meaningful Change. [26] [27] [28]

Accomplishments

First Black President of Warner Records

In 2021, Carless made history in the music industry by becoming the first Black executive to hold the title of President at Warner Records. This appointment marked a historic first for both Carless and the company. [29]

Personal Life

Steven Carless was born and raised in Roselle, New Jersey and attended Abraham Clark High School, where he continues to reside. His heritage is of Spanish Town, Jamaica.

Philanthropy

2024: The Neighborhood Nip Foundation

In 2024, the Los Angeles Marathon partnered with the Neighborhood Nip Foundation, a charity established in memory of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle. Hussle's brand, The Marathon Clothing Co-Founded by Carless, [4] participated in the marathon, with Carless, among the runners totaling 26.2 miles. Funds raised supported the revitalization of the Nipsey Hussle Plaza, the foundation's headquarters on Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. The plaza offers community services, including a free barbershop, recording studio, educational programs, and a STEM center. Puma sponsored The Marathon Clothing team. [30]

Music & Film Discography

Complete discography
YearAlbumArtistRole
2014 My Krazy Life YG A&R [17]
2014 Mailbox Money Nipsey Hussle Co-Executive Producer [1]
2014 Seen It All: The Autobiography Jeezy A&R [17]
2015 Church in These Streets Jeezy Co-Executive Producer [31]
2015 ColleGrove 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne A&R [17]
2015 Living Legend (Gunplay album) Gunplay A&R [17]
2015 Remember My Name (album) Lil Durk A&R [17]
2015 Top 5 Dead or Alive Jadakiss A&R [17]
2016 Slauson Boy 2 Nipsey Hussle Co-Executive Producer [17]
2016 Still Brazy YG Co-Executive Producer, A&R [17]
2016 FDT (song) YG Composer [17]
2016RED Friday YG A&R [17]
2016Hood OlympianLajan SlimCo-Executive Producer [17]
2016 Direct Deposit Vol. 1 CompilationVarious ArtistsExecutive Producer [17]
2017 Paranoia: A True Story Dave East Co-Executive Producer [32]
2017 Pretty Girls Like Trap Music 2 Chainz A&R [17]
2017 Friday on Elm Street Fabolous & Jadakiss A&R [17]
2017 Direct Deposit Vol. 2 CompilationVarious ArtistsExecutive Producer [17]
2017Big Bossin Vol 1.5Payroll & CardoA&R, Executive Producer [17]
2017KarmaDave EastA&R [17]
2018Big Bossin Vol 2Payroll & CardoA&R, Executive Producer [17]
2018 Victory Lap Nipsey Hussle Executive Producer, Composer [17]
2018 Paranoia 2 Dave East Project A&R, Co-Executive Producer [17]
2018 Stay Dangerous YG A&R, Co-Executive Producer [17]
2018 Beloved Dave East & Styles PProject A&R [17]
2018Karma 2Dave EastA&R [17]
20194REAL 4REAL YG A&R [17]
2019 Die a Legend Polo G Executive Producer [33]
2019Rap or Go To The League 2 Chainz A&R [17]
2019 Survival Dave East A&R, Co-Executive Producer [17]
2019 Summertime Shootout 3 Fabolous A&R [17]
2020 The Goat : The Collection Polo G Executive Producer [34]
2020 Ignatius (album) Jadakiss A&R [17]
2020 The Lion King: The Gift Beyoncé A&R [17]
2020 Savage (Remix) Megan Thee Stallion ft. BeyoncéA&R [17]
2020 The Lion King: The Gift [DELUXE] Beyoncé A&R [17]
2021 Hall of Fame Polo G Executive Producer [17]
2021 Hall of Fame 2.0 (Deluxe) Polo G Executive Producer [17]
2021 Jordi (album) Maroon 5 A&R, Coordinating Producer [17]
Year(s)TitleNotesCredited asRef.
2019Inside a ChangeFilmProducer [35]
2024The Honorable ShyneDocumentaryExecutive Producer [36]

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

Carless has won seven (7) Grammy Awards for his A&R work. [37] [38] [39]

AwardYearArtistResults
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance 2020 Racks in the Middle by Nipsey Hussle Won
Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance 2020 Higher (DJ Khaled song) by Nipsey Hussle Won
Grammy Award for Best Music Video 2021 Brown Skin Girl by Beyonce Won
Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance 2021 Black Parade (song) , Beyonce Won
Grammy Award for Best Rap Song 2021 Savage Remix , Megan Thee Stallion & Beyonce Won
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance 2021 Savage Remix , Megan Thee Stallion & Beyonce Won
Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance 2023 Wait for U , Future (rapper) Ft Drake (musician) Won

Signal Awards

Carless has won four (4) awards for Blog Era Podcast as an Executive Producer. [40]

AwardYearShowResults
Listener's Choice Documentary2023Blog Era PodcastWon
Gold Documentary2023Blog Era PodcastWon
Listener's Choice Arts, Culture & Lifestyle2023Blog Era PodcastWon
Bronze Art's, Culture & Lifestyle2023Blog Era PodcastWon

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nipsey Hussle</span> American rapper (1985–2019)

Ermias Joseph Asghedom, known professionally as Nipsey Hussle, was an American rapper, entrepreneur, and activist. Emerging from the West Coast hip hop scene in the mid-2000s, Hussle independently released his debut mixtape, Slauson Boy Volume 1, to moderate local success, which led to him being signed to Cinematic Music Group and Epic Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YG (rapper)</span> American rapper (born 1990)

Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, better known by his stage name YG, is an American rapper. He released his debut mixtape 4Fingaz in 2008, and its follow-up, The Real 4Fingaz, the following year. The latter gained recognition for its local hit song "Toot It and Boot It", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 67 and received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). He signed a recording contract with Def Jam Recordings in October 2009, which entered joint-venture with Atlanta-based rapper Jeezy's record label, CTE World, in 2013.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mustard (record producer)</span> American record producer (born 1990)

Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, known professionally as Mustard, is an American record producer and DJ. A frequent collaborator of fellow California-based artists YG and Ty Dolla Sign, he began his career producing singles and albums for both rappers, and has since done so for other prominent acts in hip hop and R&B. He first saw recognition for his work on Tyga's 2011 single "Rack City".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nipsey Hussle discography</span> Hip hop recording artist discography

The discography of American rapper Nipsey Hussle consists of one studio album, 54 singles, three compilation mixtapes and 14 mixtapes, including The Marathon, The Marathon Continues and Crenshaw. His debut studio album Victory Lap was released on February 16, 2018.

<i>Boss Yo Life Up Gang</i> 2013 mixtape by Young Jeezy, Doughboyz Cashout and YG

Boss Yo Life Up Gang is a compilation mixtape by American rapper Young Jeezy's record label CTE World. The mixtape was released for free on August 13, 2013, by CTE World. The mixtape featured guest appearances by Nipsey Hussle and Rich Homie Quan. The mixtape was supported by two singles; "My Nigga" by YG featuring Young Jeezy and Rich Homie Quan, and "Mob Life" by Doughboyz Cashout also featuring Jeezy.

<i>The Marathon Continues</i> 2011 mixtape by Nipsey Hussle

The Marathon Continues or TMC for short, is the sixth official mixtape by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. The mixtape was released as a free digital download on mixtape hosting websites, and to iTunes on November 1, 2011, via Hussle's All Money In record label. The mixtape featured production by 1500 or Nothin', THC, Wizzo and Mistah Mota, Le-Lo Lang among others. Guest appearances on the mixtape included Dom Kennedy, YG, Cobby Supreme and Yung Brodee among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike & Keys</span> Production duo

Mike & Keys are an American hip hop production and songwriting duo from Los Angeles, California that consists of Money Mike and J-Keys.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Left, Right</span> 2013 single by YG featuring DJ Mustard

"Left, Right" is a song by American rapper YG, released on December 10, 2013 as the second single from his debut studio album My Krazy Life (2014). The song was produced by and features vocals from frequent collaborator DJ Mustard. It received positive reviews from critics. "Left, Right" peaked at number 44 on the US Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A music video for the single, directed by Alex Nazari and YG, features a house party in Compton that's filled with cameos from Los Angeles rappers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">YG discography</span>

The discography of YG, an American rapper, consists of seven studio albums, 55 singles and nine mixtapes. YG's debut studio album, My Krazy Life, was released on March 18, 2014. His second studio album, Still Brazy, was released on June 17, 2016. His best known singles include "Big Bank", "My Nigga" and "Who Do You Love".

<i>Blame It On the Streets</i> 2014 soundtrack album and short film by YG

Blame It On the Streets is the name to both a short film and its soundtrack album by American hip hop recording artist YG. It was released on December 15, 2014, by Def Jam Recordings, his Pu$haz Ink label, along with Jeezy's CTE World label. The album features guest appearances from Big Wy, Jay 305, RJ, Nipsey Hussle, The Neighbourhood, TeeCee4800, Charley Hood, Slim 400, D-Lo, Mack 10 and DJ Quik. The film was attached to digital copies for the soundtrack, and is now available for streaming on Netflix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">R.I.P. (Young Jeezy song)</span> 2013 single by Young Jeezy featuring 2 Chainz

"R.I.P." is a song by American rapper Young Jeezy, released as the second single from his twelfth mixtape It's Tha World (2012). It features vocals from fellow rapper 2 Chainz and was produced by record producer DJ Mustard.

<i>Still Brazy</i> 2016 studio album by YG

Still Brazy is the second studio album by American rapper YG. It was made available for streaming on June 14, 2016, by Apple Music. Later, it was released physically for the digital download purchases on June 17, 2016, by 4Hunnid Records, CTE World and Def Jam Recordings. The album features production handled by Swish, P-Lo, Terrace Martin, Larrance Dopson, CT Beats, Ty Dolla Sign and Hit-Boy, while YG enlisted the collaborators such as Lil Wayne, Drake, Nipsey Hussle and Slim 400, among others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Omar Grant</span> American music executive

Omar Grant is an American Music executive. He serves as the Co-President of Roc Nation Records. Grant has worked as an A&R for EMI Group Limited, Epic Records and Roc Nation. In A&R, Grant worked with artists including Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, DJ Mustard, Kylie Minogue and others, many of whom, with Grant's efforts, have sold recorded music in vinyl, CD and digital form in excess of 100 million copies/digital sales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karen Civil</span> American entrepreneur (born 1984)

Karen Civil also known as "KC", is an American music executive and digital media marketing strategist. She gained attention for creating and running Weezythanxyou.com, a website where the rapper Lil Wayne published letters to his fans while he was incarcerated at Rikers Island.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">FDT (song)</span> 2016 single by YG featuring Nipsey Hussle

"FDT" is a protest song by YG featuring Nipsey Hussle, and is the second single from YG's second studio album Still Brazy. The song is a criticism of the policies of the Republican candidate in the 2016 US presidential election, Donald Trump, who would eventually win the 2016 presidential election.

<i>Victory Lap</i> (Nipsey Hussle album) 2018 studio album by Nipsey Hussle

Victory Lap is the only studio album by American rapper Nipsey Hussle. It was released on February 16, 2018 through All Money In No Money Out and Atlantic Records. It was Hussle's first major commercial release after releasing a string of mixtapes for thirteen years. The album debuted at number four on the Billboard 200, selling 53,000 album-equivalent units; It was the last project to be released during Hussle’s lifetime, as he was shot and killed on March 31, 2019. It reached a new peak of number two in April 2019, following Hussle's death. It received a nomination for Best Rap Album at the 61st Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Last Time That I Checc'd</span> 2018 single by Nipsey Hussle featuring YG

"Last Time That I Checc'd" is a song by American rapper Nipsey Hussle, released on January 19, 2018 as the second single from his album Victory Lap (2018). It features a verse from fellow California rapper YG, and is Nipsey's first song to chart on the Billboard Hot 100 at number seventy-six.

"Higher" is a song by American producer DJ Khaled featuring American rapper Nipsey Hussle and American singer John Legend, released as the third single from DJ Khaled's album Father of Asahd on May 17, 2019. The music video was filmed before Hussle's death on March 31, 2019. Legend plays piano on the track and sings its chorus. DJ Khaled announced that all proceeds from sales of the song will go to the rapper's children. Complex magazine ranked Hussle's verse on the song as the best on the album. The song received a Grammy award for Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 62nd Grammy Awards, marking DJ Khaled's first Grammy win and Hussle's second of the night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Letter to Nipsey</span> 2020 tribute single to Nipsey Hussle by Meek Mill featuring Roddy Ricch

"Letter to Nipsey" is a song by American rapper Meek Mill, featuring fellow rapper Roddy Ricch. The song was produced by Papamitrou, who co-wrote it with Mill and Roddy Ricch. On January 27, 2020, the song was released for digital download and streaming as a single, through Atlantic Records and Maybach Music Group. It is a tribute to Rapper Nipsey Hussle, Who was Shot And killed On March 31 2019. All the proceeds from the song went to his family. Lyrically, Mill and Roddy Ricch reflect on their feelings after his death.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Defiant Records</span> American record label

Defiant Records is a joint venture record label formed in 2023 between Warner Records and Steven "Steve-O" Carless, President of A&R at Warner Records. It focuses on genres such as hip-hop, R&B soul, dance, jersey club and drill.

References

  1. 1 2 Caramanica, Jon (19 August 2020). "How Much Is an Album Worth in 2020: $3.49? $77? $1,000? Maybe $0". The New York Times.
  2. 1 2 Billboard Staff (5 November 2020). "40 Under 40: Billboard reveals 2020 List of Young Executives Pushing the Industry Forward". Billboard.
  3. 1 2 Billboard Staff (12 November 2020). "Revealed: Billboard's 2020 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players -- In A Year of Activism". Billboard.
  4. 1 2 Schiller, Rebecca (18 October 2019). "Steve Carless On Keeping Nipsey Hussle's Legacy Alive: 'His Currency Is Inspiration'". Billboard.
  5. ↑ Chesman, Donna-Claire (10 January 2019). "Veteran Record Executive Steve Carless: 'Quantity is the Business. Quality is the Legacy'". DJ Booth.
  6. ↑ "R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players: Billboard's 2024 List Revealed". Billboard .
  7. ↑ Dan Rys. "Warner Records Names Steve Carless President of A&R". Billboard.
  8. ↑ Lamarre, Carl (11 August 2023). "Warner Records Launches Defiant Records With Steve 'Steve-O' Carless". Billboard.
  9. ↑ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (5 July 2018). "From Biology Student to Managing Nipsey Hussle, A&E Steve Carless Is the Ultimate Hustler". XXL.
  10. 1 2 Weingarten, Christopher (1 September 2016). "YG Talks Summer Protest Anthem 'FDT (F-k Donald Trump)". Rolling Stone.
  11. ↑ Fleischer, Adam (28 August 2014). "Jeezy Posts Bail". MTV. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014.
  12. ↑ Baker, Soren (5 September 2014). "Jeezy AK-47 Assault Rifle Investigation Proves Firearm Does Not Belong to Rapper". HipHopDX.
  13. ↑ "Steve Carless to Join Warner Records as President, A&R". WMG. 23 September 2021.
  14. ↑ Lockett, Dee (16 June 2016). "YG on His Anti-Trump Song Getting Censored, Black-on-Black Crime, and Life After Near-Death". Vuture.
  15. ↑ "FDT (feat. Nipsey Hussle) (Clean) by YG". Universal Music Group.
  16. ↑ Whitcomb, Dan (24 November 2020). "Rapper Nipsey Hussle wins two posthumous Grammys, honored in tribute performance". Reuters.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 "Steve Carless Credits". ALLMUSIC.
  18. ↑ Lewis, Hilary (24 November 2020). "Grammys: Beyonce Scores Leading 9 Nominations". Hollywood Reporter.
  19. ↑ Sisario, Ben (24 November 2020). "Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Dua Lipa Dominate 2021 Grammy Nominations". New York Times.
  20. ↑ "Soul Train Awards: Chris Brown, Drake, Beyoncé, Lizzo Lead Nominations | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  21. ↑ "Here Are All the Winners From the 2020 NAACP Image Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  22. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (24 November 2020). "John Legend, Meek Mill and More Pay Tribute to Nipsey Hussle at the Grammys". Rolling Stone.
  23. ↑ "The Goat Album". Jaxsta. 24 November 2020.
  24. ↑ Aswad, Jem (5 June 2020). "Republic Records to Cease using 'Urban' Term". Variety.
  25. ↑ Woods, Aleia (22 June 2020). "Managers for Travis Scott, Future and More Form First-Ever Black Music Action Coalition". XXL Magazine.
  26. ↑ "UMG's Task Force For Meaningful Change". Universal Music Group.
  27. ↑ "Universal Music Task Force for Inclusion Details Action Plan, With $25 Million Fund". Variety. 4 June 2020.
  28. ↑ "Member". Black Executive Excellence Association.
  29. ↑ Grant, Shawn (5 May 2024). "Steve Carless Makes History as First Black President of Warner Records". TheSource.
  30. ↑ Yakimowich, Carlos (15 March 2024). "L.A. Marathon and Nipsey Hussle's Foundation Partner, Bringing Spirit of Late Rapper to Sunday's Run". LA Magazine.
  31. ↑ "Church in These Streets Credits". All Music.
  32. ↑ Hamilton, Gary Gerard (21 November 2019). "Dave East is in 'Survival' mode for debut album". AP News.
  33. ↑ "Executive Producer". Jaxsta.
  34. ↑ "Executive Producer". Jaxsta.
  35. ↑ "INSIDE A CHANGE". Rotten Tomatoes. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  36. ↑ Brown, Preezy (2024-10-23). "Documentary Chronicling Shyne's Rap And Political Career Coming To Hulu". VIBE.com. Retrieved 2024-11-22.
  37. ↑ Homewood, Ben (23 September 2021). "MusicWeek". musicweek.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  38. ↑ Video, Grammy (5 February 2023). "Future". grammy.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  39. ↑ Yglesias, Ana (5 February 2023). "Megan Thee Stallion". grammy.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  40. ↑ tone, other (5 May 2023). "Signal Awards". signalaward.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.