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Rb Hip Hop

Nicki Minaj Throws Shade at Laid Off Atlantic Records Employees: ‘UPS Is Hiring’

She also suggested they apply to her own record label.

Nicki Minaj at the premiere of "Barbie" held at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on July 9, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Nicki Minaj at the premiere of "Barbie" held at Shrine Auditorium and Expo Hall on July 9, 2023 in Los Angeles, California.

Christopher Polk for WWD

In the wake of Atlantic Records’ reconstruction — which led to a number of layoffs — Nicki Minaj took to X to playfully share some advice for those who are now unemployed.

“Dear fired executives & A&R’s: Don’t be mad, UPS is hiring,” she wrote, before suggesting that they apply to her own record label, Heavy On It. “Also, feel free to submit your resumes for a job @ #HeavyOnIt.”


She added in another tweet: “They’ve been wanting empty arenas so bad. Obsessed with me while all your friends r getting fired is nasty work.”

The layoffs, which a source told Billboard affected 150 to 175 employees, comes following the announcement that 10K Projects founder Elliot Grainge will take over as CEO of Atlantic Music Group, starting October 1. As part of his promotion, 10K will move under the Atlantic Music Group umbrella — joining Atlantic Records, Elektra and 300.

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Atlantic Records CEO Robert Kyncl wrote in a memo to staff that the company will “be unveiling a new dynamic structure for the label group” next week. Atlantic’s cuts are the fourth round in the Warner Music Group family in roughly 18 months.

This article was originally published by Billboard U.S.

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Val Blavatnik
Courtesy WMG

Val Blavatnik

Business News

Val Blavatnik to Oversee Warner Music Canada in New Role at Warner Music Group

Blavatnik will oversee Warner Music Canada as managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at WMG. As part of a slew of executive announcements, Simon Robson will be leaving the company, while Alejandro Duque takes the top international role.

Val Blavatnik, the 28-year-old son of Warner Music Group majority owner and vice chairman Len Blavatnik, has been named managing director of Warner Music North America, U.K. and Corporate Development at the Warner Music Group, the company announced Friday (Sept. 25). In his new role the younger Blavatnik, who has held several roles at the company in recent years, and has been a board member since 2023, expects to “unify and drive business and operational strategy across these markets while guiding the company’s investment strategy to support growth,” according to a press release.

The Blavatnik announcement is part of a flurry of new executive announcements that CEO Robert Kyncl made this morning. In addition, Atlantic Music Group chairman/CEO Elliot Grainge will take on ADA in the U.S. as its new chairman, while Alejandro Duque, who has held the dual roles of president of Warner Latin and president of ADA since last July, has been named president of Warner Music International, adding Asia-Pacific and Europe, the Middle East and Africa under his oversight. (Duque will continue to oversee ADA outside the U.S.) Zach Friedman, currently COO at Atlantic Music Group, will add the title of vice chair of ADA U.S. to his resume.

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