The meteoric rise from intern at Def Jam Records to Executive Vice President of Warner Music Group -- the largest independent music content company in world -- is legendary in the music industry.
Today, at WMG, Liles is part of an executive team poised to reshape the music industry. He joins Edgar Bronfman Jr. and his old mentor, Lyor Cohen, as one of the most powerful men in the music industry, presiding over a collection of the world's best-known record labels, including Atlantic and Warner Bros. as well as the group's distribution, marketing and music publishing companies.
His career was launched in 1986 when, together with his rap group Numarx, he wrote the multi-platinum, award–winning single "Girl You Know It's True," performed by Milli Vanilli. In 1989 he co-founded Marx Bros. Records, releasing several regional hits by Numarx while also opening for such acts as LL Cool J, Salt 'N Pepa and Run DMC.
From an unpaid internship in 1991, Liles soared though the ranks to become President of Def Jam Music Group in 1998 at the tender age of 30. As president he was largely credited with building up revenues from less than $100 million to more than $400 million in just four years, turning what was a small but wildly successful record business into a mature corporation that become the crown jewel of Universal's music group. He oversaw the creation of the brands Def Jam South, Def Soul, Def Soul Classics, Roc-a-Fella and Murder Inc. Under his stewardship, Def Jam grew into one of the most influential record labels in the world just as the rest of the music industry was facing a protracted slump.
By 2002, Liles added the title of executive vice president of Island Def Jam Music Group. Instrumental in the success of superstars and emerging artists such as Jay Z, Hoobastank, Ludacris, Sum 41, Ja Rule, LL Cool J, DMX, Kanye West, Musiq and Ashanti, Liles' track record of artist successes solidifies him as one of the most important executives in the music industry. In recognition of these extraordinary achievements in the music industry, received the UJA-Federation's Music Visionary Award in 2003.
By the end of his tenure at the label, the Def Jam brand name had been embraced by all media - known throughout the music, gaming, comedy, poetry, financial services, television, film, fashion, publishing, beverage and digital worlds for delivering all things hip hop. Liles has overseen the development all of the brand extension and cross-marketing deals that have linked Def Jam's name to movies, television, DVDs, video games, clothing, financial services and mobile content.
A native of Baltimore, the first of four siblings, Liles attended Morgan State College, but exited one semester shy of his degree, opting instead to hit the road with his burgeoning hip hop group. It was during this period in his life that Mr. Liles began to realize that the business side of the music industry interested him most. "I absorbed a lot of hands-on knowledge about the inner workings of the business back then," says Mr. Liles. "In the beginning there were only five of us; no titles, no job descriptions, we each did what it took to get the job done."
He extended that same back-to-basics work ethic and management style at Def Jam. "Def Jam was fueled by a trust and a loyalty and a dedication to each other that taught me the most important resource we have is the people around you. I call it 'sharing the mission.'" Liles explains. "Empowering people to participate in the vision of a company will ultimately create the most successful work environment."
"Hip hop was born from that American sense of entrepreneurship," says Liles.
Not content to rest on his own laurels, this self-made business prodigy is determined to use the blueprint of his own success help guide disadvantaged youth onto a career path in corporate America. He's written his first book, due for hardcover release in September by Simon and Schuster's Atria imprint called: "Make It Happen: The Hip Hop Guide to Success." Liles has also been actively involved in philanthropy. In 2004, he launched the Kevin Liles Foundation, a Baltimore-based trust that invests in the youth of his community through sports, education and community organizations.
His dedication to the education and training of underprivileged youth, and his generous donations to schools and sports stadiums in his hometown, along with a myriad of anonymous donations to causes across the country, recently earned him recognition as an "Urban Hero."
In June of 2001, Mr. Liles joined his mentor Russell Simmons in hosting the first of several hip hop summits created to reach out to members of the hip hop community to better grasp the social, political, and cultural ramifications of the hip hop movement.
As far as Liles is concerned, efforts to improve the lives of the young people of his culture are simply the right thing to do.
