Billboard's 2021 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players
Chris Atlas
Executive vp Urban Music and Marketing, Warner Records
Ray Daniels
Senior vp A&R, Warner Records
Eesean Bolden
Senior vp A&R, Warner Records

Warner Records’ banner year included hip-hop hits such as CJ’s “Whoopty,” with a Latin remix from Anuel AA and Ozuna, as well as Saweetie’s and NLE Choppa’s ongoing successes, and gold records for Erica Banks and YFN Lucci. Daniels, 41, Bolden, 36, and Atlas are prioritizing artist development, which, Atlas says, is more necessary than ever: “Coming out of the pandemic after a year without touring, developing new artists will need time and support to make up for the lost year.” Adds Bolden: “You can have records that do numbers but never truly build the artist into a star.”

The Change We Still Need to See: “We continue to see too much violence in our communities. As an industry we need to remain vigilant in supporting programs that can provide opportunities, alternative outlets and options for growth for our young people as a way to truly influence change.” — Chris Atlas

Article Credit: https://www.billboard.com/articles/business/9610231/billboard-rb-hip-hop-power-players-list-2021/