Steve Carless

Steven Pierre Carless (born January 31, 1983), also known as "Steve-O", is an American record executive, talent manager, philanthropist and entrepreneur. He is best known for working with Nipsey Hussle.[1] In 2020, the duo received two Grammy Awards for the songs "Racks in the Middle" featuring Roddy Ricch and "Higher" with DJ Khaled.[2][3]

Steve Carless
Carless in 2023
Born (1983-01-31) January 31, 1983
Roselle, New Jersey, U.S.
Other names"Steve-O"
EducationKean University
Occupations
  • Record executive
  • A&R representative
  • songwriter
  • businessman
Years active2004–present
Labels
Websitestevencarless.com

He is an A&R executive for Republic Records, Senior Vice President of A&R and Artist Relations for Universal Music Group, Vice President of A&R for Def Jam Recordings, co-founder of Marathon Agency, and the founder of the Steven Carless Company.[4][5] Carless was recognized in Billboard magazine's 40 Under 40 for 2020, as well as its Hip Hop Players Power List that same year, 2021, 2022 and 2023.[2][3]

In December 2021, Carless was appointed President of A&R at Warner Records.[6] Also credited as Head of A&R, Associated Labels and Black Music.

In 2023 Carless launched Defiant Records in partnership with Warner Records[7]

Career

Carless has overseen the careers of multiple music artists, including Jeezy, YG, Dave East, Polo G, SAFE, Jadakiss and Nipsey Hussle.[8][9] He started as an intern for Star Trak Entertainment and went on to become lifestyle and mixshow promotions at Island Def Jam Recordings thereafter. From 2012 to 2014, Carless was President of Jeezy's label CTE World and A&R Representative for Atlantic Records.[10][11] In 2012, he began collaborating with Nipsey Hussle.[12] He co-wrote YG and Hussle's controversial diss track "FDT" in 2016.[9][13][14] In 2018, Carless collaborated with Hussle and served as management and one of the Executive Producers for the album Victory Lap, which earned a Grammy nomination for Grammy Award for Album of the Year.[15][16] Carless also co-A&R'd Beyoncé's The Lion King: The Gift in 2019, earning an NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album (2020).[17][18] The song Brown Skin Girl on the album won a Soul Train Music Awards (2019), an NAACP award (2020) and a Grammy award (2021).[19][20]

In 2020, Carless executive produced the Nipsey Hussle tribute at the 62nd Grammy Awards.[21] In May 2020, Carless executive produced Polo G's album The Goat.[22] He also co-A&R'd a remix of Megan Thee Stallion "Savage" with Beyonce.[16]

He is a co-founder of the first Black music action coalition known as Republic Records Action Committee (R2AC), which works on social changes within the music industry.[23][24] Carless is also Secretary of The Black Executive Excellence Association and a member of the Universal Music Group Task Force for Meaningful Change.[25][26][27]

Accomplishments

First Black President of Warner Records

In 2021, Carless made history in the music industry by becoming the first Black executive to hold the title of President at Warner Records. This appointment marked a historic first for both Carless and the company.[28]

Personal Life

Steven Carless was born and raised in Roselle, New Jersey and attended Abraham Clark High School, where he continues to reside. His heritage is of Spanish Town, Jamaica.

Philanthropy

2024: The Neighborhood Nip Foundation

In 2024, the Los Angeles Marathon partnered with the Neighborhood Nip Foundation, a charity established in memory of the late rapper Nipsey Hussle. Hussle's brand, The Marathon Clothing Co-Founded by Carless,[4] participated in the marathon, with Carless, among the runners totaling 26.2 miles. Funds raised supported the revitalization of the Nipsey Hussle Plaza, the foundation's headquarters on Slauson Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard. The plaza offers community services, including a free barbershop, recording studio, educational programs, and a STEM center. Puma sponsored The Marathon Clothing team. [29]

Music & Film Discography
Complete discography
YearAlbumArtistRole
2014My Krazy LifeYGA&R [16]
2014Mailbox MoneyNipsey HussleCo-Executive Producer [1]
2014Seen It All: The AutobiographyJeezyA&R [16]
2015Church in These StreetsJeezyCo-Executive Producer [30]
2015ColleGrove2 Chainz & Lil WayneA&R [16]
2015Living Legend (Gunplay album)GunplayA&R [16]
2015Remember My Name (album)Lil DurkA&R [16]
2015Top 5 Dead or AliveJadakissA&R [16]
2016Slauson Boy 2Nipsey HussleCo-Executive Producer [16]
2016Still BrazyYGCo-Executive Producer, A&R [16]
2016FDT (song)YGComposer [16]
2016RED FridayYGA&R [16]
2016Hood OlympianLajan SlimCo-Executive Producer [16]
2016Direct Deposit Vol. 1 CompilationVarious ArtistsExecutive Producer [16]
2017Paranoia: A True StoryDave EastCo-Executive Producer [31]
2017Pretty Girls Like Trap Music2 ChainzA&R [16]
2017Friday on Elm StreetFabolous & JadakissA&R [16]
2017Direct Deposit Vol. 2 CompilationVarious ArtistsExecutive Producer [16]
2017Big Bossin Vol 1.5Payroll & CardoA&R, Executive Producer [16]
2017KarmaDave EastA&R [16]
2018Big Bossin Vol 2Payroll & CardoA&R, Executive Producer [16]
2018Victory LapNipsey HussleExecutive Producer, Composer [16]
2018Paranoia 2Dave EastProject A&R, Co-Executive Producer [16]
2018Stay DangerousYGA&R, Co-Executive Producer [16]
2018BelovedDave East & Styles PProject A&R [16]
2018Karma 2Dave EastA&R [16]
20194REAL 4REALYGA&R [16]
2019Die a LegendPolo GExecutive Producer [32]
2019Rap or Go To The League2 ChainzA&R [16]
2019SurvivalDave EastA&R, Co-Executive Producer [16]
2019Summertime Shootout 3FabolousA&R [16]
2020The Goat: The CollectionPolo GExecutive Producer [33]
2020Ignatius (album)JadakissA&R [16]
2020The Lion King: The GiftBeyoncéA&R [16]
2020Savage (Remix)Megan Thee Stallion ft. BeyoncéA&R [16]
2020The Lion King: The Gift [DELUXE]BeyoncéA&R [16]
2021Hall of FamePolo GExecutive Producer [16]
2021Hall of Fame 2.0 (Deluxe)Polo GExecutive Producer [16]
2021Jordi (album)Maroon 5A&R, Coordinating Producer [16]
Year(s) Title Notes Credited as Ref.
2019 Inside a Change Film Producer [34]

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards

Carless has won seven (7) Grammy Awards for his A&R work.[35] [36] [37]

Award Year Artist Results
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance 2020 Racks in the Middle by Nipsey Hussle Won
Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Performance 2020 Higher (DJ Khaled song) by Nipsey Hussle Won
Grammy Award for Best Music Video 2021 Brown Skin Girl by Beyonce Won
Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance 2021 Black Parade (song), Beyonce Won
Grammy Award for Best Rap Song 2021 Savage Remix, Megan Thee Stallion & Beyonce Won
Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance 2021 Savage Remix, Megan Thee Stallion & Beyonce Won
Grammy Award for Best Melodic Rap Performance 2023 Wait for U, Future (rapper) Ft Drake (musician) Won

Signal Awards

Carless has won four (4) awards for Blog Era Podcast as an Executive Producer.[38]

Award Year Show Results
Listener's Choice Documentary 2023 Blog Era Podcast Won
Gold Documentary 2023 Blog Era Podcast Won
Listener's Choice Arts, Culture & Lifestyle 2023 Blog Era Podcast Won
Bronze Art's, Culture & Lifestyle 2023 Blog Era Podcast Won

References
  1. Caramanica, Jon (19 August 2020). "How Much Is an Album Worth in 2020: $3.49? $77? $1,000? Maybe $0". The New York Times.
  2. Billboard Staff (5 November 2020). "40 Under 40: Billboard reveals 2020 List of Young Executives Pushing the Industry Forward". Billboard.
  3. Billboard Staff (12 November 2020). "Revealed: Billboard's 2020 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players -- In A Year of Activism". Billboard.
  4. Schiller, Rebecca (18 October 2019). "Steve Carless On Keeping Nipsey Hussle's Legacy Alive: 'His Currency Is Inspiration'". Billboard.
  5. Chesman, Donna-Claire (10 January 2019). "Veteran Record Executive Steve Carless: 'Quantity is the Business. Quality is the Legacy'". DJ Booth.
  6. Dan Rys. "Warner Records Names Steve Carless President of A&R". Billboard.
  7. Lamarre, Carl (11 August 2023). "Warner Records Launches Defiant Records With Steve 'Steve-O' Carless". Billboard.
  8. Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (5 July 2018). "From Biology Student to Managing Nipsey Hussle, A&E Steve Carless Is the Ultimate Hustler". XXL.
  9. Weingarten, Christopher (1 September 2016). "YG Talks Summer Protest Anthem 'FDT (F-k Donald Trump)". Rolling Stone.
  10. Fleischer, Adam (28 August 2014). "Jeezy Posts Bail". MTV. Archived from the original on August 31, 2014.
  11. Baker, Soren (5 September 2014). "Jeezy AK-47 Assault Rifle Investigation Proves Firearm Does Not Belong to Rapper". HipHopDX.
  12. "Steve Carless to Join Warner Records as President, A&R". WMG. 23 September 2021.
  13. Lockett, Dee (16 June 2016). "YG on His Anti-Trump Song Getting Censored, Black-on-Black Crime, and Life After Near-Death". Vuture.
  14. "FDT (feat. Nipsey Hussle) (Clean) by YG". Universal Music Group.
  15. Whitcomb, Dan (24 November 2020). "Rapper Nipsey Hussle wins two posthumous Grammys, honored in tribute performance". Reuters.
  16. "Steve Carless Credits". ALLMUSIC.
  17. Lewis, Hilary (24 November 2020). "Grammys: Beyonce Scores Leading 9 Nominations". Hollywood Reporter.
  18. Sisario, Ben (24 November 2020). "Beyonce, Taylor Swift, and Dua Lipa Dominate 2021 Grammy Nominations". New York Times.
  19. "Soul Train Awards: Chris Brown, Drake, Beyoncé, Lizzo Lead Nominations | Hollywood Reporter". www.hollywoodreporter.com. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  20. "Here Are All the Winners From the 2020 NAACP Image Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 2020-11-11.
  21. Kreps, Daniel (24 November 2020). "John Legend, Meek Mill and More Pay Tribute to Nipsey Hussle at the Grammys". Rolling Stone.
  22. "The Goat Album". Jaxsta. 24 November 2020.
  23. Aswad, Jem (5 June 2020). "Republic Records to Cease using 'Urban' Term". Variety.
  24. Woods, Aleia (22 June 2020). "Managers for Travis Scott, Future and More Form First-Ever Black Music Action Coalition". XXL Magazine.
  25. "UMG's Task Force For Meaningful Change". Universal Music Group.
  26. "Universal Music Task Force for Inclusion Details Action Plan, With $25 Million Fund". Variety. 4 June 2020.
  27. "Member". Black Executive Excellence Association.
  28. Grant, Shawn (5 May 2024). "Steve Carless Makes History as First Black President of Warner Records". TheSource.
  29. Yakimowich, Carlos (15 March 2024). "L.A. Marathon and Nipsey Hussle's Foundation Partner, Bringing Spirit of Late Rapper to Sunday's Run". LA Magazine.
  30. "Church in These Streets Credits". All Music.
  31. Hamilton, Gary Gerard (21 November 2019). "Dave East is in 'Survival' mode for debut album". AP News.
  32. "Executive Producer". Jaxsta.
  33. "Executive Producer". Jaxsta.
  34. "INSIDE A CHANGE". Rotten Tomatoes. 2015-10-23. Retrieved 2022-03-14.
  35. Homewood, Ben (23 September 2021). "MusicWeek". musicweek.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  36. Video, Grammy (5 February 2023). "Future". grammy.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  37. Yglesias, Ana (5 February 2023). "Megan Thee Stallion". grammy.com. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  38. tone, other (5 May 2023). "Signal Awards". signalaward.com. Retrieved 10 May 2024.
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