Gee Roberson — co-CEO of Hip-Hop Since 1978, the management firm that handles Kanye West, Lil Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj and others — has been named chairman of Geffen Records, a move that Billboard.Biz reported was in the works last week. He will report to Interscope Geffen A&M chairman Jimmy Iovine.
Based in New York, Roberson will oversee the creative direction and operations of Geffen Records, with a special focus on discovering and nurturing new artists. He will also be charged with expanding the reach of the label into numerous areas, including digital direct-to-consumer, merchandising, touring and management, according to a press release.
“Gee has a unique combination of talents that the music industry really needs running a record company today,” Iovine said in a statement.
Roberson began his music industry career under the tutelage of Jay-Z at Roc-A-Fella Records, where he rose to senior VP of A&R. He later moved to Atlantic Records as senior VP of A&R, heading up the label’s urban music division.
It was unclear at press time whether Roberson will continue in his role at Hip Hop since 1978.