Interscope Geffen A&M Records (IGA) executive vp Joie Manda is leaving after eight years with the company, Billboard has learned.
Manda and IGA CEO John Janick made the announcement in staff memos obtained by Billboard on Tuesday (Dec. 15).
“For the last eight years I have worked alongside all of you and I’m immensely proud of the legacy we have built together. To see IGA become the number one label this year driven by the success of our artists and partnerships is very gratifying,” said Manda. “I want you to know that I have shared with John that I have made the difficult decision to leave Interscope Geffen A&M at the end of the year to pursue new endeavors. I thank each and every one of you for making my time here so exciting and rewarding. And a very special thank you to John for his ongoing support and friendship.”
Formerly Interscope’s head of urban music, Manda assumed the executive vp role in 2017. With Janick, he helped bring the label to record-level market share, signing or working with top hip-hop and R&B acts including DaBaby, Summer Walker, Mike Will Made-It, Rae Sremmurd, Machine Gun Kelly, 6lack, Tory Lanez, Dreezy and Playboi Carti, and was instrumental in the 2014 partnership with J. Cole’s Dreamville Records. But he also supported the labels’ pop efforts like Billie Eilish, Selena Gomez and Blackpink.
Manda previously served as president of Def Jam Records, also a subsidiary of Universal Music Group. Prior to joining the UMG family, Manda served as head of urban music for Warner Bros. Records, where he worked closely with Jill Scott, Common and Rick Ross’ Maybach Music Group, among others. Before that, he was executive vp of Asylum Records when it was resurrected in 2004.
Added Janick, who joined IGA in 2012 was named chairman/CEO in 2014: “When I began my tenure as Chairman of IGA, my personal goals were very clear to me. I wanted to build IGA into the most successful label in the world, one which artists and partners would be excited to call home, and a company which empowered and highlighted the achievements of our employees.”
“I am so proud that we achieved our standing as the number one label as a team; and prouder yet again to be working alongside all of you who helped to make this vision a reality.
“It’s bittersweet that we will be saying goodbye to Joie who has made many contributions to IGA through championing our artists, partners and employees.
“I’ve always said that IGA is more than a company: we are family. I’m supportive of and so happy for Joie as he embarks on this new chapter in his career.”
