Pioneering Manager, Creative Executive and Entrepreneur Gee Roberson Appointed Chairman of Geffen Records

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Jun 21, 2011, 03:43 ET

LOS ANGELES, July 21, 2011/PRNewswire/ -- Renowned artist manager, creative executive and pioneering entrepreneur Gee Roberson has been appointed Chairman of Geffen Records, it was announced today by Interscope Geffen A&M Chairman Jimmy Iovine, to whom he reports.

Based in New York, Mr. Roberson will oversee the creative direction and operations of Geffen Records, with a special focus on discovering and nurturing new artists while expanding the reach of the label into numerous areas such as digital direct-to-consumer, merchandising, touring and management.

"Gee has a unique combination of talents that the music industry really needs running a record company today," said Mr. Iovine. "I'm proud he's joining Geffen."

"I am delighted to be joining Jimmy, Lucian Grainge (Chairman & CEO, UMG) and the entire Interscope Geffen A&M team," added Mr. Roberson. "Jimmy has always been a pioneer who goes against the grain and builds successful companies known for great music, a keen sense of focus, hard work and tremendous team spirit. And with the opportunity to be part of Lucian's global creative plans, the decision to join IGA was easy."

Mr. Roberson began his tenure in the music industry under the tutelage of Jay-Z at Roc-A-Fella Records, where he quickly rose to Senior Vice President of A&R. While at Roc-A-Fella, he was instrumental in such multi-platinum successes as Jay-Z's In My Lifetime, Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Hard Knock Life, Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter, The Dynasty: Roc la Familia, and The Blueprint(2): The Gift & The Curse; DJ Clue's The Professional and The Professional 2; and Cam'ron's Come Home With Me; as well as the soundtracks to Backstage (Roc-A-Films/Dimension), State Property (Dimension/ Miramax), Streets Is Watching (Roc-A-Films) and Paper Soldiers (Universal Pictures), all of which sold in excess of 25 million units. He later segued to Atlantic Records, where he served as Senior Vice President of A&R, heading up the famed label's urban music division. While there, he was instrumental in the break-through success of T.I., among others. Mr. Roberson serves as Co-CEO of HipHop Since 1978, a full service management company that features such chart-topping trendsetters as Kanye West, Lil' Wayne, Drake, Nicki Minaj and Young Jeezy.