A music executive or record executive is a person within a music company, in particular, a record label who works in senior management and makes executive decisions over the label's artists.[1] Their role varies greatly but in essence, they can oversee one, or many, aspects of a record label, including A&R, contracts, management, publishing, production, manufacture, marketing/promotion, distribution, copyright, and touring. Although music executives work in senior management, a number of them have gone on to establish record labels of their own. Some of these owners start their careers in the music industry as artists, A&Rs, or producers establishing their reputation as they make connections and, or hone their craft.[2]
Music executives work in a variety of settings for major record labels such as Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, or Warner Music Group. However, many choose to work with, or start their own independent record labels such as Sub Pop, Block Starz Music, Ironworks, Jagjaguwar, Perry Music Group, 50/50innertainment, and 419 Records.