Jeff Vaughn

Jeff Vaughn is an American music executive. He is the founder and CEO of Signal Records, a joint venture with Columbia Records.^[1] Until 2021, he was the chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group. He was the featured executive in Billboard's 40 Under 40 list in 2021.^[2]

Early life and education

Vaughn was born in Virginia. He graduated from Duke University.^[3]

Career

Vaughn started his career at United Talent Agency. In 2011, he joined newly launched Artist Partner Group, then a joint venture with Atlantic Records.^[4] During his time at Artist Partner Group, he signed and worked closely with hip hop/R&B powerhouses Youngboy Never Broke Again, Kehlani, Kevin Gates, NLE Choppa, NoCap, Rico Nasty, Lil Skies and Don Toliver, among others.^[5] He was also instrumental in the signing of Young Thug to Atlantic.^[6]

In 2020, he became the president of Capitol Records,^[5] and became chairman and CEO of Capitol Music Group the next year.^[7] Under his leadership, the label signed RIAA multi-platinum certified artist Toosii and Kay Flock and secured the label's first No. 1 album on Billboard's Top R&B Albums Chart in decades with Queen Naija's missunderstood album. The label also saw success with numerous RIAA multi-platinum and platinum certified releases from new artists, including Capella Grey's Gyalis, Surf Mesa's ily (i love you baby) and Mooski's Track Star.^[8]

He was honored in the cover story of Billboard’s 40 Under 40 list in 2021 for reinvigorating the Capitol roster and expanding the label’s investments in hip hop and R&B.^[8]

In 2022, he founded the Los Angeles-based record label Signal Records and became its CEO.^[9]