Steve Carless
American music executive (born 1983)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Steven Pierre Carless (born January 31, 1983), also known as "Steve-O", is an American record executive, talent manager, tech advisor, philanthropist and entrepreneur. He is best known for working with Beyoncé, Polo G and 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]
- Record executive
- A&R representative
- songwriter
- businessman
Steve Carless | |
|---|---|
Carless in 2023 | |
| Born | January 31, 1983 Roselle, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Other names | "Steve-O" |
| Education | Kean University |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2004–present |
| Labels | |
| Website | defiantxrecords |
He was previously an A&R executive and Executive Vice President 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, 2023 and 2024.[2][3][6]
In December 2021, Carless was appointed President of A&R at Warner Records.[7] Also credited as Head of A&R, Associated Labels and Black Music.
In 2023 Carless founded and launched Defiant Records in partnership with Warner Records[8]
Career
Carless has overseen the careers of multiple music artists, including Jeezy, YG, Dave East, Polo G, SAFE, Jadakiss, Fabolous and Nipsey Hussle.[9][10] 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.[11][12] In 2012, he began collaborating with Nipsey Hussle.[13] He co-wrote YG and Hussle's controversial diss track "FDT" in 2016.[10][14][15] 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.[16][17] 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).[18][19] The song Brown Skin Girl on the album won a Soul Train Music Awards (2019), an NAACP award (2020) and a Grammy award (2021).[20][21]
In 2020, Carless executive produced the Nipsey Hussle tribute at the 62nd Grammy Awards.[22] In May 2020, Carless executive produced Polo G's album The Goat.[23] He co-managed and executive produced Polo G’s first Hot 100 Billboard #1 single with RapStar leading into his first #1 album on the Billboard Top 200 album charts at 146,000 units with album, "Hall of Fame" in 2021.[24] He also co-A&R'd a remix of Megan Thee Stallion "Savage" with Beyonce.[17] In February 2021, Carless was named associated producer for his contributions to "Judas and the Black Messiah: The Inspired Album" released on RCA Records.[25]
Republic Records Action Committee (R2AC)
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.[26][27] Carless is also Secretary of The Black Executive Excellence Association and a member of the Universal Music Group Task Force for Meaningful Change.[28][29][30]
Partnership With Vybz Kartel
In 2024, following the overturning of his 2014 conviction and subsequent release from prison, Jamaican dancehall artist Vybz Kartel partnered with Defiant Records, founded by Carless. Kartel's single "Pretty Girl," produced by Now or Never Miami and directed by Rizzy, marked his first release under this new arrangement with Defiant Records.[31][32]
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.[33]
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 Portmore, 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 (42.2 km). 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.[34]
The Defiant Foundation
In 2024 Carless launched The Defiant Foundation (TDF) to address wealth disparity in underserved communities. [35] Focused on empowering young Black and brown individuals, TDF provides mentorship and programs promoting financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Carless believes that "connectivity with the next generation is essential in forging leadership through mentorship," and aims to create sustainable change by equipping youth with essential skills and knowledge.[citation needed]
Music & Film Discography
| Complete discography | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Album | Artist | Role |
| 2013 | Crenshaw (mixtape) | Nipsey Hussle | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2014 | My Krazy Life | YG | A&R [17] |
| 2014 | Mailbox Money | Nipsey Hussle | Co-Executive Producer [1] |
| 2014 | Seen It All: The Autobiography | Jeezy | A&R [17] |
| 2015 | Church in These Streets | Jeezy | Co-Executive Producer [36] |
| 2015 | ColleGrove | 2 Chainz & Lil Wayne | A&R [17] |
| 2015 | Living Legend (Gunplay album) | Gunplay | A&R [17] |
| 2015 | Remember My Name (album) | Lil Durk | A&R [17] |
| 2015 | Top 5 Dead or Alive | Jadakiss | A&R [17] |
| 2016 | Slauson Boy 2 | Nipsey Hussle | Co-Executive Producer [17] |
| 2016 | Still Brazy | YG | Co-Executive Producer, A&R [17] |
| 2016 | FDT (song) | YG | Composer [17] |
| 2016 | RED Friday | YG | A&R [17] |
| 2016 | Hood Olympian | Lajan Slim | Co-Executive Producer [17] |
| 2016 | Direct Deposit Vol. 1 Compilation | Various Artists | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2017 | Paranoia: A True Story | Dave East | Co-Executive Producer [37] |
| 2017 | Pretty Girls Like Trap Music | 2 Chainz | A&R [17] |
| 2017 | Friday on Elm Street | Fabolous & Jadakiss | A&R [17] |
| 2017 | Direct Deposit Vol. 2 Compilation | Various Artists | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2017 | Big Bossin Vol 1.5 | Payroll & Cardo | A&R, Executive Producer [17] |
| 2017 | Karma | Dave East | A&R [17] |
| 2018 | Big Bossin Vol 2 | Payroll & Cardo | A&R, Executive Producer [17] |
| 2018 | Victory Lap | Nipsey Hussle | Executive Producer, Composer [17] |
| 2018 | Paranoia 2 | Dave East | Project A&R, Co-Executive Producer [17] |
| 2018 | Stay Dangerous | YG | A&R, Co-Executive Producer [17] |
| 2018 | Beloved | Dave East & Styles P | Project A&R [17] |
| 2018 | Karma 2 | Dave East | A&R [17] |
| 2019 | 4REAL 4REAL | YG | A&R [17] |
| 2019 | Die a Legend | Polo G | Executive Producer [38] |
| 2019 | Rap or Go To The League | 2 Chainz | A&R [17] |
| 2019 | Survival | Dave East | A&R, Co-Executive Producer [17] |
| 2019 | Summertime Shootout 3 | Fabolous | A&R [17] |
| 2020 | The Goat: The Collection | Polo G | Executive Producer [39] |
| 2020 | Ignatius (album) | Jadakiss | A&R [17] |
| 2020 | The Lion King: The Gift | Beyoncé | A&R [17] |
| 2020 | Savage (Remix) | Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé | A&R [17] |
| 2020 | The Lion King: The Gift [DELUXE] | Beyoncé | A&R [17] |
| 2021 | Hall of Fame | Polo G | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2021 | Hall of Fame 2.0 (Deluxe) | Polo G | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2021 | Jordi (album) | Maroon 5 | A&R, Coordinating Producer [17] |
| 2021 | Judas And the Black Messiah: Inspired Album) | Various Artists | Associate Producer [17] |
| 2022 | Club Godfather | Bandmanrill | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2022 | Sha EK “Face Of The What | Sha EK | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2023 | Defiant Presents: Courtlandt Over Everything | Sha EK | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2023 | Defiant Presents: Most Dangerous | Sha EK | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2023 | Defiant Presents: Jiggy In Jersey | Bandmanrill and Sha EK | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2023 | Defiant Presents: President OBandman | Bandmanrill and MCVertt | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2023 | Defiant Presents: Bricks In The 6 | DJ Sliink | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2023 | Finesse | Pheelz and Bnxn | A&R [17] |
| 2024 | Crying in the Club | Groovy | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2024 | I Am Chippy | Teejay | Executive Producer [17] |
| 2025 | Defiant Presents: Chain Gang Vol 1 | Sha EK | Executive Producer [17] |
Awards and honors
Grammy Awards
Carless has won seven (7) Grammy Awards for his A&R work.[42][43][44]
Signal Awards
Carless has won four (4) awards for Blog Era Podcast as an Executive Producer.[45]
| 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 |