Based in New York, Kallman will report directly to WMG’s CEO Robert Kyncl.
According to WMG, in this elevated role, Kallman will provide his “deep A&R expertise” across WMG’s artist roster and label group globally. The move follows his nearly 35 years at Atlantic Records, where he served as Chairman and CEO of the label for two decades before transitioning to Chief Music Officer.
At the same time, Kallman will continue to sign new artists to Big Beat, the label that he originally founded in 1987 and has been part of WMG since he joined the company in 1991. Moving forward, each of Big Beat’s artists will be worked by one of WMG’s US labels, Atlantic Records and Warner Records.
The first Big Beat signing by Kallman in his new role is up-and-coming artist and producer Elkan, who produced Drake and PartyNextDoor’s hit, NOKIA. Elkan will release his debut EP, The Baby Bundle this Friday, December 12, via Atlantic Records.
“Craig has helped shape the sound and direction of modern music, leaving a lasting imprint on artists, fans, and the industry at large.”
Robert Kyncl
Kyncl said: “Craig has helped shape the sound and direction of modern music, leaving a lasting imprint on artists, fans, and the industry at large.
“With decades of experience working at the highest level with the biggest stars, he will be an invaluable creative force and deep resource in his new post…helping drive and support A&R strategy and artist development across WMG, signing exciting new talent, and collaborating with our label leaders to bring bold, original music to the world.”
“As my first signing, Elkan is a statement of intent, which underscores my commitment to nurture and champion extraordinary, trailblazing talent.”
Craig Kallman
Kallman added: “I’m deeply grateful for my time at Atlantic, where I’ve had the privilege of contributing to the careers of so many remarkable artists. It’s been great seeing Elliot [Grainge] take the helm and open a bold new chapter in the label’s illustrious history.
“I am excited to take on this new role and work alongside our outstanding A&R teams around the world, while reimagining the Big Beat brand as a force across genres. As my first signing, Elkan is a statement of intent, which underscores my commitment to nurture and champion extraordinary, trailblazing talent.”
In October 2024, Kallman was named Chief Music Officer of Atlantic Music Group, where he has “lent his expertise to artists and projects throughout the company,” according to WMG.
WMG added that he “has long been a creative force at the label,” serving as Chairman & CEO of Atlantic Records from 2005 to 2024 and helping to shape the careers of a roster of stars, including Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Death Cab For Cutie, Lizzo, Wiz Khalifa, Kodak Black, Shinedown, Lil Uzi Vert, Janelle Monáe, and countless others.
Kallman has also overseen the success of Grammy-winning cast albums such as Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen, along with chart-topping soundtracks like The Greatest Showman.
Described as a “frequent hands-on collaborator with his artists”, his credits include co-producing Cardi B’s No. 1 hit I Like It, the first song by a female rapper to surpass one billion streams on Spotify.
New York-based Kallman began his music career in the 1980s as a DJ in Manhattan. He then founded Big Beat Records, an independent label, in 1987.
Big Beat was eventually purchased by Atlantic, where A&R specialist Kallman has worked since 1991.
After joining Atlantic Records in 1991, Craig Kallman, established his A&R credentials by signing and developing several major artists, including Aaliyah, P.O.D, Brandy, and Timbaland.
While serving as co-president of Atlantic Records 11 years later in 2002, Kallman established an alliance between Atlantic and VP Records, a famous independent dancehall and reggae record label. Their first collaboration was Sean Paul’s album, Dutty Rock, which sold over six million copies and even won a Grammy.
In 2005, the year Warner Music Group floated on the New York Stock Exchange, Kallman was named Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records Group.
In 2016, the year of his 25th anniversary with Atlantic Records, Craig Kallman gave an interview to Music Business Worldwide in which he discussed his approach to working with artists.
He said: “Today’s artists are smart about the industry – they know it’s usually executive musical chairs all over the place.
“Artists sign to people who believe in them, and they want to know you’re going to be there to fulfil the dreams you’re promising them. You can’t do that if you’re jumping around to the next company for a bigger payday.”
“Artists sign to people who believe in them, and they want to know you’re going to be there to fulfil the dreams you’re promising them.”
Craig Kallman
Added Kallman: “We run the A&R department here differently to any other A&R department; it’s all for one, one for all.
“A&R is usually cutthroat and very individual-driven – if you think about Geffen, where Gersh, Kalodner and Zutaut were all trying to kill each other. We’re kind of the opposite. Everyone helps and contributes to each other’s records.
Alongside his label activities, Kallman is known for his investment in rare vinyl, with an archive numbering 2.2 million recordings.
Discussing his vinyl collection with the Atlantic blog, Kallman said: “I started collecting vinyl when it was still the dominant music format, and I’ve continued to be drawn to it for its superior sound quality.
“The enjoyment I get from vinyl or hi-res recordings led naturally to my pursuit of striving for sonic excellence in all our artists’ recordings.”
Craig Kallman
“Listening to something on vinyl or hi-res can be a real revelation, because you’re hearing everything that’s actually on the original recording and everything that the artist and producer really intended.
“The enjoyment I get from vinyl or hi-res recordings led naturally to my pursuit of striving for sonic excellence in all our artists’ recordings.”Music Business Worldwide
