Steven Victor
{{short description|American record executive}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Steven Victor
| image =
| caption =
| birth_name = Steven William Victor
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1980|9|6}}
| birth_place = Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
| alias =
| alma_mater = Morehouse College
| occupation = {{flatlist|
- Record executive
- talent manager
- music publisher
- A&R representative
}}
| years_active = 2003–present
| employer = Universal Music Group
| title = Founder & CEO - Victor Victor Worldwide
| organization =
| website =
}}
Steven William Victor (born September 6, 1980) is an American record executive, talent manager, music publisher, and A&R representative.
He founded the record label Victor Victor Worldwide in 2016. The year prior, he was named chief creative officer (CCO) of Kanye West's GOOD Music record label, and also in 2016, he was named senior vice president of A&R at Universal Music Group—through which he reports directly to chairman Sir Lucian Grainge.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7572647/steven-victor-svp-ar-universal-music-group|title=Steven Victor Named SVP A&R at Universal Music|date=November 9, 2016|magazine=Billboard}} The following year, he was named Head of A&R at Def Jam Recordings, although he departed in 2019 to return to Universal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.complex.com/music/2019/03/def-jam-rap-camp-undisputed-experiment|title='Come Watch the F*cking Sharks': Def Jam's Rap Camp Experiment|website=Complex}}{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8480402/40-under-40-music-industry-power-players-2018-full-list|title=40 Under 40: Music's Top Young Power Players Revealed (2018)|date=October 18, 2018|magazine=Billboard}}
Early life and education
Victor was born on September 6, 1980, in the Brooklyn borough of New York City, where he was also raised. He grew up in a multi-family home with his parents and older sister, along with his father's brother and sister's families.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWy1Rbar1GI|title=Steven Victor on managing Pusha T, mourning Pop Smoke and building VVW | IDEA GENERATION Ep.10|date=9 December 2021 |via=www.youtube.com}} He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta from 1998 to 2002, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in English and Psychology.https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-victor-4165306 {{Self-published source|date=June 2022}}
Career
Victor began his career in 2003 with an unpaid internship as a publicist at Interscope Records, to which he was later promoted to publicity assistant in 2004, working in public relations for six years. During his tenure at Interscope, he met American rapper and record executive Pusha T, who at the time was one-half of the hip hop duo Clipse. He formed a mutual relationship with Pusha, becoming the publicist and manager for Clipse, and later solely for him.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sohh.com/pusha-t-salutes-the-shot-caller-play-maker-of-his-music-career-its-only-right-you-drown-in-success/|title=Pusha-T Salutes The "Shot Caller + Play Maker Of" His Music Career: "It's Only Right You Drown In Success"|first=Biz|last=Jones|date=September 6, 2019|website=SOHH}}
In late 2015, Pusha T became president of GOOD Music, and appointed Victor as Chief operating officer of the label as his first course of action.{{Cite web|url=https://www.factmag.com/2015/11/09/pusha-t-new-president-g-o-o-d-music/|title=Pusha T is the new president of G.O.O.D. Music|date=November 9, 2015|website=Fact}} In late 2016, he was appointed SVP of A&R at Universal Music Group, while simultaneously holding his position at GOOD.{{Cite web|url=http://finance.yahoo.com/news/steven-victor-named-svp-r-universal-music-200122932.html|title=Steven Victor Named SVP A&R at Universal Music|website=Yahoo Finance|date=9 November 2016 }} He also began managing Tyga, The-Dream, and Desiigner during this time, the latter of whom was signed by Victor to GOOD and Def Jam Recordings. In November of that year, he founded his own record label and music publishing company, Victor Victor Worldwide as a joint venture with Universal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.withguitars.com/mc-don-zio-p-reveals-new-single-hallelujah-featuring-dj-vu/|title=MC Don Zio P reveals new single "Hallelujah" featuring Déjà Vu • WithGuitars|website=www.withguitars.com}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.the360mag.com/don-zio-p-releases-new-single-switch/|title=DON ZIO P RELEASES NEW SINGLE "SWITCH"|date=September 1, 2017|newspaper=360 Magazine | Art + Music + Design + Fashion + Auto + Travel + Food + Health + Tech}}
In October 2017, he was named EVP & Head of A&R at Def Jam, reporting to then-CEO Paul Rosenberg and replacing his position as SVP of A&R at Universal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/steven-victor-named-evp-head-ar-def-jam/|title=Steven Victor named EVP, Head of A&R at Def Jam|date=October 17, 2017|website=Music Business Worldwide}}{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/8005658/steven-victor-def-jam-evp-head-ar-umg|title=Steven Victor Joins Def Jam as EVP, Head of A&R|date=October 17, 2017|magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web|url=https://hiphopdx.com/news/id.44930/title.good-musics-steven-victor-named-def-jam-executive-vp-head-of-ar|title=G.O.O.D. Music's Steven Victor Named Def Jam Executive VP & Head Of A&R|first=Justin|last=Ivey|date=October 18, 2017|website=HipHopDX}} In August 2019, he left Def Jam and transitioned back to his previous position at Universal, focusing on his label's joint venture with them.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/biz/news/steven-victor-shifts-from-def-jam-to-senior-vp-of-ar-at-universal-exclusive-1203302119/|title=Steven Victor Shifts From Def Jam to Focus on Joint Venture at Universal (EXCLUSIVE)|first1=Jem|last1=Aswad|date=August 14, 2019|website=Variety}}
Victor Victor Worldwide
{{anchor|Victor Victor Worldwide}}
{{Infobox record label
| bgcolor = #000000
| name = {{color|white|Victor Victor Worldwide Inc.}}
| image =
| parent = Universal Music Group
| founded = {{Start date and age|2016|11|03}}
| founder = Steven Victor
| status =
| distributor = {{unbulleted list|Various{{efn|Victor Victor Worldwide is a joint venture between the label and Universal Music Group, giving Victor Victor the power to sign an artist to a joint venture recording contract with their label and any other label under the Universal umbrella. Victor Victor also has the same joint venture structure with Universal Music Publishing Group for their publishing entity.}}|{{small|(in the US)}}|Universal Music Group|{{small|(outside the US)}}}}
| genre = {{hlist|Hip hop|trap|drill|pop|R&B}}
| country = United States
| location = New York City, New York
| url = {{URL|victorvictor.jp/}}
}}
Victor Victor Worldwide Inc.{{Cite web|url=https://opencorporates.com/companies/us_ny/5033002|title=VICTOR VICTOR WORLDWIDE INC. :: New York (US) :: OpenCorporates|website=opencorporates.com}} (formerly d/b/a as Victor Victor Records{{Cite web|url=https://www.the360mag.com/tag/victor-victor-records/|title=Victor Victor Records Archives|website=360 MAGAZINE | ART + MUSIC + DESIGN + FASHION + AUTO + TRAVEL + FOOD + HEALTH + TECH|date=7 September 2018 }} or simply Victor{{Cite web|url=https://www.qobuz.com/us-en/label/victor-republicrecords/download-streaming-albums/210764|title=Victor - Republic Records - Download and listen to albums|website=Qobuz}}) is an American record label and music publishing company founded by Victor in New York City on November 3, 2016.{{Cite web|url=https://www.universalmusic.com/republic-records-names-jim-roppo-executive-vice-president-general-manager/|title=REPUBLIC RECORDS NAMES JIM ROPPO EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT & GENERAL MANAGER|date=January 5, 2018|website=Universal Music Group}} It is a joint venture with Universal Music Group that allows signees to enter contracts with labels under the Universal umbrella, although Victor Victor's releases have predominantly been through Republic Records. The label also has a similar joint venture structure with Universal Music Publishing Group for its publishing entity.{{Cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/business/management/steven-victor-sports-management-expansion-tyshawn-jones-tank-davis-1235601852/|title=Steven Victor on Changing 'How the Modern Athlete Looks Tomorrow' With His Expansion Into Sports Management|website=Billboard.com|date=February 8, 2024}}
Victor Victor is best known for having signed late American rapper Pop Smoke, as well as rappers Ski Mask the Slump God and Pusha T; the former two were signed in conjunction with Republic Records. The label has also signed record producers 16yrold, CashMoneyAP, and YoungKio (with Cash Gang) with UMPG.{{Cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/hip-hop/7964807/steven-victor-hip-hop-power-players-2017-youth-ambassador|title=Steven Victor: Hip-Hop Power Players 2017|date=September 14, 2017|magazine=Billboard}} Former notable artists signed to the label include American rapper D Savage—who was signed to Victor Victor and Republic in 2017, and later jointly with Capitol Records and Virgin Music before his 2019 departure—as well as rappers Summrs and Autumn.{{Cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/d-savage-prepares-to-unleash-d-phoenix-at-union-now-called-catch-one/|title=D Savage Prepares to Unleash D Phoenix at Union (Now Called Catch One)|first=Shirley|last=Ju|date=October 8, 2018|website=LA Weekly}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.laweekly.com/music-pick-d-savage/|title=Music Pick: D Savage|first=Shirley|last=Ju|date=September 9, 2019|website=LA Weekly}}{{Cite web|url=https://kazimagazine.com/editorials/digital-issue/d-savage/|title=D Savage: The Young Megastar|first=Jonas|last=Baker|date=August 14, 2019|website=Kazi Magazine}}
Victor Victor also runs the management firm William Victor Management Group which has managed artists such as Pusha T, The-Dream, CashMoneyAP, and 16yrold, among others. A majority of the artists signed to the label are managed by the firm itself.{{Cite web|url=https://www.xxlmag.com/news/2016/11/steven-victor-named-senior-vice-president-of-ar-at-universal/|title=Steven Victor Named Senior Vice President of A&R at Universal - XXL|first=Justin|last=Ivey|website=XXL|date=10 November 2016 }}
In June 2020, the label launched the Victor Victor Foundation, a philanthropic initiative which Victor himself has donated US$1 million towards in startup; Victor also donated $25,000 to the "Fund for Public Schools", a nonprofit organization in New York City.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9399624/steven-victor-pledges-1-million-new-foundation|title=UMG Executive Steven Victor Pledges $1 Million For New Philanthropic Venture|magazine=Billboard}}{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/music/news/steven-victor-foundation-pledge-1234629512/|title=Universal Music Executive Steven Victor Pledges $1 Million to Launch New Foundation (EXCLUSIVE)|first1=Shirley|last1=Halperin|date=June 9, 2020}}
=Roster=
==Current==
==Former==
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Artists ! Years under the label ! Releases under the label ! Notes |
| Don Zio P
| style="text-align:center;" | 2017–2018 | style="text-align:center;" | 5 (singles) | Jointly with Republic |
|---|
| D. Savage
| style="text-align:center;" | 2017–2019 | style="text-align:center;" | 2 | Jointly with Capitol and Virgin, formerly jointly with Republic |
| 12 Honcho (Honcho Da Savage) | style="text-align:center;" | 2017–2018 | style="text-align:center;" | 1 (album as Honcho Da Savage){{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/parallel-universe/1354716656|title=Parallel Universe by Honcho Da Savage|date=March 9, 2018|via=music.apple.com}} | Jointly with Def Jam, formerly jointly with Republic |
| Senta The Artist{{cite web | url=https://www.beatsource.com/release/metamorphosis/859555 | title=Metamorphosis by Senta the Artist on Beatsource }}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020 | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | Jointly with UMe |
| Summrs{{Cite web|url=https://dailychiefers.com/undiscovered-gems-back-with-5-more-amazing-artists/|title=Undiscovered Gems: Peep These 5 Amazing Artists|date=February 13, 2020}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2021 | style="text-align:center;" | 0 | Jointly with Capitol, left a year later and signed to 10K Projects |
| Young Devyn{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/baby-goat/1571675527|title=Baby Goat by Young Devyn|via=music.apple.com}}
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 2021–2022 | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | Jointly with 4th & B'way and Island; moved to Def Jam with 4th & B'way |
| Autumn{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/one-way-single/1597178403|title=One Way! - Single by Autumn!|via=music.apple.com}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2 | Jointly with Casablanca, formerly jointly with Republic |
| DJ Topgun{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/city-of-the-freaks-ep/1669795511|title=City Of The Freaks - EP by DJ Topgun on Apple Music|date=March 31, 2023|via=music.apple.com}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2023 | style="text-align:center;" | 1 | rowspan="1" | Jointly with UMe |
==Publishing==
===In-house producers===
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Act
! Years under the label ! Releases under the label ! Notes |
|---|
| colspan="4" | As part of Victor Victor Worldwide (Recording) |
| 16yrold
| style="text-align:center;" | 2017–present | style="text-align:center;" | 5 (singles) | Jointly with Capitol, formerly jointly with Republic; joint publishing with UMPG |
| Axl{{Cite web|url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/motorbike-feat-jackboy-single/1587415520|title=Motorbike (feat. Jackboy) - Single by AxL|date=October 6, 2021|via=music.apple.com}}
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020–present | style="text-align:center;" | 1 (singles) | Jointly with Republic; joint publishing with UMPG |
| colspan="4" | As part of Victor Victor Music (Publishing) |
| Rico Beats
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 2017–present | style="text-align:center;" | N/A | Jointly with UMPG and StarLife; co-manager of Pop Smoke & 808Melo |
| CashMoneyAP
| style="text-align:center;" | 2 (Atlantic singles) | Jointly with UMPG and Cash Gang; signed as recording artist to Atlantic Records |
| YoungKio
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 2019–present | rowspan="4" style="text-align:center;" | N/A | Jointly with UMPG and Cash Gang |
| 808Melo
| rowspan="3" | Jointly with UMPG |
| Swirv
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020–present |
| SethInTheKitchen
| style="text-align:center;" | 2020–present |
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist|30em}}
{{GOOD Music}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Victor, Steven}}
Category:American music industry executives
Category:American people of Haitian descent
Category:Morehouse College alumni