(AllHipHop News) DJ and music producer Don Cannon has been named the new Vice President, A&R for Def Jam Recordings. The Philadelphia native will be responsible for overseeing the label’s musical projects as well as discovering new acts for Def Jam.
“Don Cannon is exactly the kind of multi-faceted producer and modern-day A&R executive who understands the Def Jam mission and culture and where we are headed for the future,” said Karen Kwak, Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Island Def Jam Music Group in a statement. “He has already worked with some of our most successful artists, and we look forward to the fresh talent he will bring to the label.”
The list of artists that Cannon has worked with includes Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, Young Jeezy, OutKast, The Game, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross and a host of others. Cannon also contributed to DJ Drama’s Gangsta Grillz mixtapes series.
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“A music person can only dream about being at Def Jam, the most important Hip Hop destination in the world,” said Cannon. “I feel I have a cutting edge vision for where the culture and Hip Hop are heading, and I’m excited to be joining the team. I’m already working 24/7 to drive the innovation of music forward, and I’m confident we’ll land some big successes in the very near future.”
The current roster at Def Jam consists of big name acts like Kanye West, Rihanna, Frank Ocean, Nas, Rick Ross, The Roots, Young Jeezy, and 2 Chainz as well as rising talents like Big K.R.I.T., Jhené Aiko, Verse Simmonds, Elijah Blake, and Y.G.
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Cannon will be based out of his current hometown of Atlanta. He will report directly to Kwak under President and Chief Operating Officer at Island Def Jam Music Group Steve Bartels.