Warner Records announced today that Steve “Steve-O” Carless has been named to the newly-created post of President of A&R. Carless will join the company on December 1, reporting to Co-Chairman/CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck. He will work closely with Warner Records’ entire A&R team, as well as Julian Petty, EVP/Head of Business & Legal Affairs, and Chris Atlas, EVP of Urban Music & Marketing.
Carless was most recently founder of his own SC Company, driving projects for artists such as Beyoncé and Polo G. Over his career, he has held senior A&R and creative posts at Def Jam Recordings, Atlantic Records, Republic Records, and served as President of Uptown Records, working with chart-topping artists Nipsey Hussle, Big Sean, YG, Jeezy, 2 Chainz, Dave East, Pusha T, and many more.
Bay-Schuck said, “Steve-O has one of the most brilliant A&R minds in our business – driven by an innate ability to identify and nurture emerging artists and champion superstars. He’s been behind the success of countless hits and the development of next generation talent. Combined with his experience in artist management, as well as multiple other areas of our industry, he’s a true renaissance man and a fantastic addition to the Warner Records senior executive team. Tom [Corson] and I are very happy that he’s come on board, and we’re looking forward to all the amazing talent and music we know he will be bringing into the fold.”
Carless noted, “I’m thrilled to be joining Aaron, Tom, and the entire Warner Records team at such an exciting time in both the label’s growth and the evolution of our business. I’m incredibly grateful that this iconic label group recognizes the critical importance, growth, creativity, and worldwide inclusiveness of the vast diversity of artists of color the world over. My focus will be on rising Black creators as they need to know they have advocates in positions of power who can be mentors, guides, and will support them as they navigate the music world and devote themselves to making game-changing music. With the belief of the team and our resources, we will create multiple runways and landing strips for creative entrepreneurs and artists of every stripe.”
