Shawn Holiday

Columbia Records has appointed Shawn Holiday and Phylicia Fant Co-heads of Urban Music, it was announced today by Ron Perry, CEO and Chairman for Columbia Records.  Shawn and Phylicia will each hold the title of Co-head of Urban Music.  Previously, Shawn was Senior Vice President, Urban A&R for Columbia, with Phylicia coming to Columbia from Warner Bros. Records where she was Senior Vice President of Publicity and Special Projects.

“Shawn and Phylicia are two of the most respected executives within the hip hop/R&B creative community,” stated Ron Perry.  “Shawn’s skill for finding and developing talent and Phylicia’s abilities in lifestyle, marketing, and branding will extend the reach of our hip-hop and R&B roster. The entire company joins me in congratulating Shawn and Phylicia.”

“I want to thank Ron and I’m excited about the direction Ron is taking the label,” stated Shawn.  “I look forward to working with Phylicia, furthering our urban roster’s impact as we continue to bring groundbreaking artists to Columbia Records.”

Phylicia Fant

Phylicia Fant commented: “I’m thrilled to play a role in Ron Perry’s bold new urban strategy.  I’ve known Shawn since my earliest days in the business and I’m excited to partner with him to bring new depth to Columbia’s urban team.  Identifying lifestyle and entrepreneurial initiatives at such a dynamic renaissance period for black culture will create breakthrough opportunities for Columbia artists across all platforms.”

During his tenure at Columbia Records, Shawn has been instrumental in Columbia’s music partnership with the hit Fox TV series Empire, supervising multiple signature tracks and artist collaborations leading to a history making #1 album debut.  He oversaw Solange’s breakthrough #1 album A Seat At The Table, and brought T.I. to Columbia in 2014, shepherding his collaboration with Pharrell. In 2018 he was named on Billboard’s Hip-Hop Power List and was recently featured on Variety’s Hitmaker List. Shawn was appointed Senior Vice President, Urban A&R for Columbia in 2013.  Prior to that he was Senior Vice President/Head of Urban A&R at Interscope Records and engineered Interscope Records’ label partnership with Akon’s KonLive Records, which made Lady Gaga a franchise player in the Interscope fold.  He helped the successes of Keyshia Cole, 50 Cent, The Game, and Diddy.  In 2011 he was appointed Senior Vice President of A&R at RCA Records, where he worked prior to coming to Columbia.

Previously, Phylicia was Senior Vice President of Publicity and Special Projects for Warner Bros. Records. During her tenure, she helped create diverse and global campaigns for Prince, Jason Derulo, Andra Day, Lil Pump, Gary Clark Jr., Bebe Rexha, Rza, Drake’s OVO Sound, Meek Mill, Wale, Wu Tang, Mac Miller, Marshmello, Gallant, Saweetie, and Common.  From 2001-2011 in her publicity role at Universal Music Group, Phylicia helped to amplify media for Erykah Badu, India.Arie, Amy Winehouse, JoJo, Kid Cudi, QTip, Damien Marley, and Stephen Marley.  Outside of her roles at various labels, she launched The Purple Agency in 2008 as founder and CEO. Successes include Swizz Beatz, Daniel Caesar, and Luis Fonsi as well as projects for Coca-Cola, BET, HBO, Hennessy, and Red Bull.