Music Industry Moves: Capitol Music Group Enlists Edgar Machuca for Multi-Label A&R Role

The week in music sees key moves in top labels’ A&R camps as both Capitol Music Group and Arista have made key hires in their upper ranks.

+ Edgar “Edd Grand” Machuca has been appointed to the newly created position of senior VP of A&R for both Capitol Records and Virgin Music Label & Artist Services, under the umbrella of Capitol Music Group. He’ll report to both CMG chairman-CEO Jeff Vaughn and Virgin president Jacqueline Saturn under the joint arrangement, signing artists and overseeing projects for both labels, based in the Capitol Tower.

Machuca comes over to CMG from Warner Records, where he was a VP. He also worked at the independent Warner affiliate Artist Partner Group after starting his career at Atlantic Records. At these companies, he was involved in signing Grammy-winning songwriter Derrick Milano and Puerto Rican rapper Myke Towers. Other artists whose hits he’s been involved with include Cardi B, Bad Bunny, J. Balvin, G-Easy and Megan Thee Stallion.

“Edd has an intuitive feel for identifying game-changing artists, songs, and entrepreneurs,” said Vaughn. “His ability to build trust and speak the same language with creatives sets him apart as an A&R executive. In Ed’s unique joint role at Capitol and Virgin, he will be empowered to do what he does best: impact global culture through music.”

+ Arista Records has named two co-heads for its urban music division. Khristopher Riddick-Tynes will serve as VP of A&R and co-head of urban music, joined by Kendell Freeman as VP and co-head, urban music. The two new hires will split their work across the coasts: Riddick-Tynes is based in Los Angeles and Freeman in New York.

Some of the initial artists whom Riddick-Tynes and Freeman will be working with in the hip-hop/R&B space include Princess Nokia, Audrey Nuna, Dada1k, and Yung Boi Rob.

“As Arista’s first co-heads of urban music, Khris and Kendell will help build our label’s presence in the urban, hip-hop and R&B music genres,” said Arista president-CEO David Massey. “They have both worked with some of the biggest artists and producers in our industry and have incredible ears for discovering and developing authentic music.”

Riddick-Tynes is half of the production duo the Rascals, and has written and produced records for Ariana Grande, Chris Brown, Drake, Lil Baby, Meek Mill, Rick Ross, Russ, Ty Dolla $ign and Wiz Khalifa. Khris earned two 2020 Grammy nominations for co-writing Rick Ross’ “Gold Roses” featuring Drake, and for his work with Jessie Reyez on her debut album. In 2015, he won a Grammy for his work on co-writing and producing Toni Braxton & Babyface’s R&B album of the year, “Love, Marriage and Divorce.”

+ Republic Records has promoted Roderick Scott to Vice President of Marketing Strategy, the company’s EVP/GM Jim Roppo and SVP of Marketing Marleny Reyes announced on Tuesday. In his new role, Scott will continue to envision, actualize, and oversee integrated marketing campaigns and rollout strategy for artists ncluding Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, Kid Cudi, Black Thought, Coi Leray, and many more. He joined Republic Records in 2020 as director of marketing strategy.

“Roderick is a world-class marketing executive whose immense drive matches his genuine lifelong passion for music,” Roppo said. “He approaches every project from an inventive angle and can artfully tell an artist’s story to the world with clarity, empathy, and ingenuity.”

Reyes added, “Working with Roderick during this unique time in the world has been incredible. Roderick came to Republic and instantly affected the way we have worked as a team. His diligence, hustle, musical knowledge, and determination are unmatched.”

Scott said, “From the outside, I’ve watched what Republic Records can offer artists. Tapping into that as a member of the team, I’ve also realized how supportive the label’s leaders are. Roppo and Marleny have empowered me with the flexibility to implement an array of tactics, trusting my instincts and providing the foundation to really make a difference for our roster.”

Before joining Republic, Scott spent eight years at Warner Bros. Records in publicity and lifestyle marketing before moving over to Atlantic Records in New York in 2017.

+ The music management company Page 1 Management has brought in Danielle Middleton, who will lead the company’s U.S. efforts from New York, reporting to founder-CEO Ashley Page. The company represents writer-producers Joel Little (Taylor Swift, Khalid, Imagine Dragons) and Mark Rankin (Adele, Iggy Pop, Florence and The Machine), Grammy nominated Drew Pearson (Zac Brown Band, Kesha, Phillip Phillips) and worldwide chart-topping artist Jawsh 685, among others.

Middleton comes over to Page 1 from Sony Music Publishing, where her signings included J. White, Ayo the Producer, Kid Culture and Tate McRae.

“I’ve known Danielle for years now, and her passion, knowledge, drive and artist understanding is unparalleled,” said Page. “Danielle will be pivotal in helping us shape the future of the company in the U.S. I look forward to announcing more additions to the team over the coming months with Danielle, and the exciting plans for Page 1 an Dryden Street Group over the next few years.”

+ Music discovery and ticketing platform Dice has announced several promotions and new hires. Russ Tannen, a founding member of the company and formerly chief revenue officer, is now the company’s president and has relocated to New York to set up the second HQ. In addition to Tannen’s role, Jordan Gremli joins the company as Head of Artist Development; he was previously with Spotify and Sofar Sounds. Also joining from Spotify is Jo McNally, who has been appointed Global Head of Music Licensing.

+ PR and marketing powerhouse Shore Fire has hired Mike Jones as a senior account executive in the company’s Los Angeles office. He comes to the company after six years at Los Angeles-based indie label Dim Mak and, previously, four years at Stunt Company. He also co-founded digital dance music label Party Boy Records.

Digital music distributor TuneCore has named Dan Rutman to the role of Director, US & Canada. In his new role, Rutman will lead business development opportunities for both acquisition-based strategic partnerships and brand partnerships across all key industries for the company, according to the announcement. He will also be responsible for Canadian artist relations and partnerships as the Head of TuneCore Canada. Most recently, Rutman founded the indie label Solitaire Recordings, and previously worked at Remote Control Records and Sneak Attack Media.