Steve Carless | |
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Born | Roselle, New Jersey, U.S. | January 31, 1983
Other names | "Steve-O" |
Education | Kean University |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | |
Website | stevencarless |
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]
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 and 2023. [2] [3]
In December 2021, Carless was appointed President of A&R at Warner Records. [6] Also credited as Head of A&R, Associated Labels and Black Music.
In 2023 Carless launched Defiant Records in partnership with Warner Records [7]
Carless has overseen the careers of multiple music artists, including Jeezy, YG, Dave East, Polo G, SAFE, Jadakiss and Nipsey Hussle. [8] [9] 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. [10] [11] In 2012, he began collaborating with Nipsey Hussle. [12] He co-wrote YG and Hussle's controversial diss track "FDT" in 2016. [9] [13] [14] 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. [15] [16] 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). [17] [18] The song Brown Skin Girl on the album won a Soul Train Music Awards (2019), an NAACP award (2020) and a Grammy award (2021). [19] [20]
In 2020, Carless executive produced the Nipsey Hussle tribute at the 62nd Grammy Awards. [21] In May 2020, Carless executive produced Polo G's album The Goat . [22] He also co-A&R'd a remix of Megan Thee Stallion "Savage" with Beyonce. [16]
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. [23] [24] Carless is also Secretary of The Black Executive Excellence Association and a member of the Universal Music Group Task Force for Meaningful Change. [25] [26] [27]
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. [28]
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.
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. [29]
Complete discography | |||
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Year | Album | Artist | Role |
2014 | My Krazy Life | YG | A&R [16] |
2014 | Mailbox Money | Nipsey Hussle | Co-Executive Producer [1] |
2014 | Seen It All: The Autobiography | Jeezy | A&R [16] |
2015 | Church in These Streets | Jeezy | Co-Executive Producer [30] |
2015 | ColleGrove | 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne | A&R [16] |
2015 | Living Legend (Gunplay album) | Gunplay | A&R [16] |
2015 | Remember My Name (album) | Lil Durk | A&R [16] |
2015 | Top 5 Dead or Alive | Jadakiss | A&R [16] |
2016 | Slauson Boy 2 | Nipsey Hussle | Co-Executive Producer [16] |
2016 | Still Brazy | YG | Co-Executive Producer, A&R [16] |
2016 | FDT (song) | YG | Composer [16] |
2016 | RED Friday | YG | A&R [16] |
2016 | Hood Olympian | Lajan Slim | Co-Executive Producer [16] |
2016 | Direct Deposit Vol. 1 Compilation | Various Artists | Executive Producer [16] |
2017 | Paranoia: A True Story | Dave East | Co-Executive Producer [31] |
2017 | Pretty Girls Like Trap Music | 2 Chainz | A&R [16] |
2017 | Friday on Elm Street | Fabolous & Jadakiss | A&R [16] |
2017 | Direct Deposit Vol. 2 Compilation | Various Artists | Executive Producer [16] |
2017 | Big Bossin Vol 1.5 | Payroll & Cardo | A&R, Executive Producer [16] |
2017 | Karma | Dave East | A&R [16] |
2018 | Big Bossin Vol 2 | Payroll & Cardo | A&R, Executive Producer [16] |
2018 | Victory Lap | Nipsey Hussle | Executive Producer, Composer [16] |
2018 | Paranoia 2 | Dave East | Project A&R, Co-Executive Producer [16] |
2018 | Stay Dangerous | YG | A&R, Co-Executive Producer [16] |
2018 | Beloved | Dave East & Styles P | Project A&R [16] |
2018 | Karma 2 | Dave East | A&R [16] |
2019 | 4REAL 4REAL | YG | A&R [16] |
2019 | Die a Legend | Polo G | Executive Producer [32] |
2019 | Rap or Go To The League | 2 Chainz | A&R [16] |
2019 | Survival | Dave East | A&R, Co-Executive Producer [16] |
2019 | Summertime Shootout 3 | Fabolous | A&R [16] |
2020 | The Goat : The Collection | Polo G | Executive Producer [33] |
2020 | Ignatius (album) | Jadakiss | A&R [16] |
2020 | The Lion King: The Gift | Beyoncé | A&R [16] |
2020 | Savage (Remix) | Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé | A&R [16] |
2020 | The Lion King: The Gift [DELUXE] | Beyoncé | A&R [16] |
2021 | Hall of Fame | Polo G | Executive Producer [16] |
2021 | Hall of Fame 2.0 (Deluxe) | Polo G | Executive Producer [16] |
2021 | Jordi (album) | Maroon 5 | A&R, Coordinating Producer [16] |
Year(s) | Title | Notes | Credited as | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Inside a Change | Film | Producer | [34] |
Carless has won seven (7) Grammy Awards for his A&R work. [35] [36] [37]
Carless has won four (4) awards for Blog Era Podcast as an Executive Producer. [38]
Award | Year | Show | Results |
---|---|---|---|
Listener's Choice Documentary | 2023 | Blog Era Podcast | Won |
Gold Documentary | 2023 | Blog Era Podcast | Won |
Listener's Choice Arts, Culture & Lifestyle | 2023 | Blog Era Podcast | Won |
Bronze Art's, Culture & Lifestyle | 2023 | Blog Era Podcast | Won |
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.
Keenon Dequan Ray Jackson, known better as YG, is an American rapper from Compton, California. 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.
Stacy Barthe is an American singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Brooklyn, she began her musical career as an intern for Geffen and Jive Records' urban divisions until 2005. She met producer Hit-Boy in 2006, and signed with Universal Music Publishing Group the following year to pursue songwriting work for other artists. As a recording artist, She signed with John Legend's Homeschool Records and Motown to release her debut studio album Becoming (2015), which entered the Billboard 200 and received positive critical reception.
Dijon Isaiah McFarlane, known professionally as Mustard, is an American record producer and DJ. A frequent producer for California-based artists YG and Ty Dolla Sign, he has produced a bulk of singles and albums for both rappers, as well as other prominent acts in hip hop and R&B. He first saw recognition for his work on Tyga's 2011 single "Rack City".
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.
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.
The discography of YG, an American rapper, consists of six 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".
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.
"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.
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.
Omar Grant is an American Music executive who originally worked as the Road manager for Destiny's Child and now the Co-President of Roc Nation Records. Following his role as a tour manager, Omar has worked as an A&R for EMI Group Limited, Epic Records and Roc Nation. In A&R, Omar has worked with and/or introduced many notable artists, with famed artists as varied as Kelly Rowland, Rihanna, DJ Mustard, Kylie Minogue and others. Artists, to whose efforts Grant has contributed, have sold recorded music in vinyl, CD and digital form in excess of 100 million copies/digital sales.
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.
"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.
Cold Summer is the second studio album by American hip hop producer Mustard. It was released on September 16, 2016, by Pu$haz Ink, Roc Nation and Republic Records. The majority of the album was produced entirely by DJ Mustard himself, and features guest appearances from YG, Ty Dolla Sign, Nipsey Hussle, RJ, Quavo, O.T. Genasis, Jeezy, Rich The Kid, TeeCee4800, K Camp, Nicki Minaj, Jeremih, Young Thug, Meek Mill, Ella Mai, Rick Ross, John Legend and James Fauntleroy.
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.
"Victory Lap" is a song by American rapper Nipsey Hussle and the title track of his debut studio album, released on February 16, 2018. The song features American singer Stacy Barthe and was produced by Mike & Keys, Sap and Amaire Johnson.
"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.
"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.
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.