Kevin Black

Kevin Black is a legendary music executive and strategist whose career has helped shape the sound and success of modern hip hop and R&B. A former Head of the Rap Department at Interscope/Geffen/A&M and former Chairman of Urban Music at Warner Bros Music Group, Kevin has held senior leadership roles at some of the most powerful labels in the industry. He also served as National Promotional Director for Death Row Records and EMI Records, and Head of Rap at Virgin Records, where he played a pivotal role in breaking records and building global brands.

From his early days running street promotions for Def Jam in the ’80s and ’90s to assisting Rap-A-Lot Records with street team marketing, Kevin has always been on the front lines of culture. He was instrumental in launching and elevating the careers of multi-platinum artists including Eminem, Mary J. Blige, 2Pac, The Game, Daddy Yankee, Ruff Ryders, Eve, Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, G-Unit, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Slim Thug, Black Eyed Peas, and many more. At Virgin Records, he also supported superstar campaigns for icons like Janet Jackson and Scarface.

Before becoming an executive, Kevin started as a DJ and was recruited by Billboard as a reporter—cementing his reputation early on as a trusted ear and influential tastemaker in the music business.