Atlantic Records promotes Kyser

Label vet named to new position as president of black music

Michael Kyser has been elevated to a newly created position as president of black music at Atlantic Records.

Kyser joined Atlantic in 2004 as exec VP of urban music. He will report to Atlantic chair-chief operating officer Julie Greenwald and chair-CEO Craig Kallman.

At Atlantic, Kyser developed such high-profile stars as T.I., Missy Elliott, Sean Paul, Flo Rida, Trey Songz and B.o.B.

He began his music biz career in 1992 at Def Jam Recordings, where he worked alongside Greenwald and Warner Music Group vice chairman and chairman-CEO of recorded music Lyor Cohen. There he worked with such acts as Public Enemy, LL Cool J, Jay-Z, Method Man, Redman, Foxy Brown, Warren G and Montell Jordan. He was named VP of Def Jam in 2000.

Greenwald said in a statement, “Kyser has been my trusted colleague and close friend for nearly 20 years, since we both joined Def Jam. We grew up together in this business. He has a deeper understanding of the urban music landscape than anyone in our industry.”

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Cohen added that Kyser “doesn’t just do his job, he lives his job, and since those early days at Def Jam, I’ve seen him evolve into one of the most admired and accomplished members of the urban music community.”

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