Lena Waithe Teams With Def Jam to Launch Hillman Grad Records
Tebs Maqubela, an A&R executive from Columbia Records with artist management experience in affiliation with Brockhampton, and Albert Cooke, who previously worked at Island Def Jam as an artist development executive before heading to Soundcloud’s artist relations department, will join Hillman Grad Records. Maqubela will be head of A&R, while Cooke will take on the role of general manager. Both will work to sign and develop talent while reporting directly to the two leaders of the label’s parent company, Hillman Grad Productions — Waithe, the CEO, and Rishi Rajani, president of film & TV.
“Lena Waithe has established herself as one of the most artistically and commercially successful creators and storytellers at work today,” added Harleston. “Lena has a profound understanding of and appreciation for music. After making her mark on television as an actor and writer, then smoothly shifting gears into her role as a film producer and CEO, it follows that she would now spread her wings at the helm of this exciting new record label. Def Jam is the perfect partner for Lena Waithe’s new Hillman Grad venture, and we look forward to bringing her musical vision to life.”
No artists were announced to have been signed to Hillman Grad Records at press time.