(Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images for 1/ST)
Kevin Liles is departing from Warner Music Group’s 300 Entertainment in less than two weeks. In a lengthy statement on Tuesday (Sept. 17), he cited his desire to “pass the torch.”
Liles published his three-page departure letter on his Instagram feed, listing his last day as head man in charge as Sept. 30. The change in leadership comes ahead of 300 Entertainment’s tenth anniversary. Liles’ first four paragraphs cited the mission of the label, thanked its chart-topping artists, and boosted their cultural impact.
As mentioned, Kevin Liles then stated that change in the music industry is inevitable and that the time is right to pass the torch. While he’s heading out the door on Sept. 30, he’ll still be a part of the Warner Music Group and 300 family as a consultant through the rest of 2024.
“300 has never been about one person or artist. It’s a movement united in a belief in our culture and community. Personally, I’m looking forward to my next chapter where I will continue to listen, learn, lead and love,” Kevin wrote.
In the short term, Liles revealed he has political aspirations. Those include getting Vice President Kamala Harris elected as the leader of the country and winning back the House to get Hakeem Jeffries as the first African-American Speaker. In the long term, he plans to continue “the fight to end the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics.”
Executives Rayna Bass and Selim Bouab will run 300 Entertainment following Kevin’s transition.
According to Variety, Warner Music Group acquired 300 Entertainment in 2022 for $400 million. Liles was one of the label’s co-founders alongside Lyor Cohen. 300 has repped some of the biggest names in the last decade, from Young Thug and Gunna to Megan Thee Stallion and Kehlani. In an internal memo, Cohen reportedly thanked Liles for his “lasting impact” on the company.
Meanwhile, the news comes not even 24 hours after the FBI arrested and indicted another music mogul,Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs,on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. Prosecutors are seeking pre-trial detention and Diddy is expected to step in front of a judge on Tuesday afternoon.
