Capitol Music Group taps Orlando Wharton for the positions of executive vp and president of Priority Records, which is relaunched under the incoming executive.
An experienced creative talent, Wharton will sign and guide artists across CMG’s portfolio of labels, and oversee the reinvigorated Priority Records, which will serve as a dedicated label for new, developing and established hip-hop artists.
Wharton will report in these new roles to CMG chair & CEO Michelle Jubelirer, and is based in the company’s New York offices.
“Orlando has an undeniable track record of finding and developing groundbreaking and talented artists,” comments Jubelirer in a statement, issued Tuesday (Sept. 27). “Between his boundless energy and deep well of relationships is his unwavering commitment to helping artists realize their maximum potential and bring their creative visions to reality. Music is Orlando’s purpose, and he is the ideal executive to relaunch Priority and help write the next chapter for Capitol Music Group.”
According to a statement, Warton will join CMG’s senior management team to help set company’s creative direction and relaunch Priority as a “major component” of a “new era” for CMG.
Wharton joins CMG with an impressive CV. He signed Fetty Wap to 300 Entertainment in 2015 and worked with the hip-hop artist on his eponymously-titled Billboard 200 leader, which yielded the hit “Trap Queen” and more. Also, Wharton signed late rapper and singer PnB Rock, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, XXXTentacion and YoungBoy Never Broke Again, among others.
On the reinvigorated Priority Records, Wharton says it’s “a legendary label that gave artists a voice when they were voiceless; a label that was about real music that didn’t rely on gimmicks to make an impact.”
Wharton slots into his new roles with CMG early in 2023.
