Def Jam Names Noah Preston Executive Vice President of A&R

Noah Preston is moving up the ranks at Def Jam Recordings. The respected A&R, who signed Jhené Aiko to the label in 2011, has been promoted to Executive Vice President, A&R. 

Preston, who previously served as Senior Vice President, A&R, will now report to Interim CEO Jeff Harleston. The 12-year Def Jam veteran joined the label as an intern in 2009 and received a permanent role a year later. He also held the Vice President, A&R title in 2014. 

“I’m grateful to have worked for Def Jam from intern to EVP, and I appreciate Jeff Harleston for continuing to believe in me,” said Preston in a press statement. “It’s a dream being from LA and getting to work with local legends like Jhené, YG, and Hit-Boy. Def Jam has always been a label that has supported artists and their creative vision and expression. I’m excited to help continue to grow that legacy even further.”

Preston has overseen multiple R&B albums, including Teyana Taylor’s VII, August Alsina’s This Thing Called Life, Aiko’s Sail Out, Souled Out, and her most recent album, Chilombo. 

His work on the latter record scored Aiko multiple gold and platinum awards and three 2021 Grammy nominations: Album of the Year, Best Progressive R&B Album, and Best R&B Performance (“Lightning & Thunder” featuring John Legend). 

Harleston added, “Noah has played a pivotal role in successfully bringing home some of Def Jam’s most important core artists over the course of the past ten years. As the roster continues to expand its scope and direction, Noah’s contributions make him one of the prime architects of Def Jam’s future. This is a well-deserved promotion, as we welcome him to the executive management team.”

Preston is currently in the studio working on albums with YG and Hit-Boy.