Record Label Leaders – VIBE.com

Campo “Hip Hop” Joshua & Gee Roberson

Campo “hip-hop” Joshua and Gee Roberson, like everyone else, are responsible for the sound that has dominated the rap airwaves for the past quarter century. A native of Harlem, New York, Joshua is the younger brother of Rock-A-Fella Records co-founder Kareem “Biggs” Burke, who was thrown into the music industry in his late teens. He became his first A&R for Roc-A-Fella in 1995 and left his mark on the label’s early projects, most notably his Jay-Z project. reasonable doubt and Vol. 2…Hard Knock LifeMemphis Bleaks coming of ageBeanie Sigel truth.

In 1998, Joshua partnered with Roberson, who had been promoted from intern to A&R position at Rock. They founded their own management and production company, Rock the World, which would eventually become known as Hip Hop from his 1978 onwards.

The duo quickly filled its roster with then-up-and-coming producers Kanye West and Just Blaze. Both dudes helped shape the sound of the label, which went on to score big hits for the label, as well as other artists in hip-hop and R&B. After a successful run, Joshua and Roberson were hired in 2002 as head A&R for Atlantic Records’ Urban division, where he oversaw projects for T.I., Lil He’s Kim, and Twista. But the duo helped broker Kanye West (their first management client) and a recording deal with Rock-A-Fella, resulting in his multi-platinum, Grammy-winning debut. was set to be released. college dropout Joshua and Roberson, now senior vice presidents of A&R at Atlantic, continued to expand the membership of HHS1978, with Roberson partnering with Cortez Bryant to create one of the most successful rap stars as a rap artist, Lil Wayne. took charge of the career ofmade music history with his mixtape Tar Carter album series.

After leaving Atlantic in 2006, Joshua was appointed president of Columbia’s Urban Division the following year, and Roberson signed future rap megastars Drake and Hip-Hop Since 1978 in the late 1978s. Roberson’s groundwork, which helped lay the foundation for Canadian Drake’s career, led to Drake signing Lil Wayne and Young Money in what is considered one of the greatest artist acquisitions in modern history. Appointed chairman of Geffen Records in 2011, Roberson’s focus gradually shifted to Blueprint Group. Blueprint Group co-founded with Bryant, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Lil Nas X, G-Eazy, Berry to Madonna, U2 and Paul McCartney. In 2021, Blueprint Group’s music division will partner with Warner Records, and Maverick, its partner with Live Nation, will become a giant in the world of touring and live events.

Joshua has also been active in the post over the past decade, taking on the role of Executive Vice President and A&R Co-Head of Def Jam in 2014 alongside legendary music producer No ID. Since then, he joined Seneca Village Recordings in 2018 as manager and then owner. He joined the label in 2019 and is co-owner of Agency 78, which he also launched in 2019.