By his own admission, Steve Bartels is highly excitable. "I always have a lot of energy; that's my style," he says, speaking rapidly into the phone from his New York office. That's a good thing because, as CEO of Def Jam Recordings, Bartels oversees a roster that includes such big talents and equally big personalities as Kanye West ("Every time I talk to him, I learn something new," Bartels says), Frank Ocean, Justin Bieber and Iggy Azalea, as well as up-and-comers like YG, August Alsina, Jhené Aiko and Alessia Cara, of whom Taylor Swift recently tweeted, "You're amazing!"
In April 2014, UMG dissolved the Island Def Jam Music Group, deposing its head Barry Weiss and separating the Def Jam, Island and Motown labels. For Bartels, who formerly worked at A&M, Arista and Island, the change led to his re-organizing of the team while simultaneously pressing the pedal to the metal in a determined effort to revitalize the iconic label founded by Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons in 1984.
With new albums expected by the end of 2015 or in early 2016 from West, Ocean, Bieber and Rihanna - who's now a Roc Nation artist but will still be worked by Bartels' team - the veteran exec talked to Hits about the new acts on his label, his team and how his background as a DJ helps make him a better record company head.
Mariah Carey left Def Jam to reunite with L.A. Reid at Epic. Is that a better fit for her and what lesson did you learn from her last album, Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse, which did not perform as well commercially as hoped.
I had great success with Mariah in my career. In 2005, we had an amazing win together with The Emancipation Of Mimi. But when she made the decision, as we did together, to move to Epic, I understood it was something she needed to do. Mariah and L.A. have a great relationship, so I think reuniting with Reid was what she was looking for at that point in time. Whenever we see each other, it's very warm. We have a great history together. Mariah has never shied away from growing as an artist and experimenting with new collaborators. I have the deepest respect for her legacy and talent
(excerpt from Hits Daily Double)
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