Skip to content
Portrait of Lyor Cohen

Lyor Cohen

Lyor Cohen is an American music executive from New York City, New York active since 1984.

Profession
Record executive, Music executive
Born
October 3, 1959
Years active
1984–present

Early life

Born in New York to Israeli immigrant parents, Lyor Cohen began as Run-DMC's road manager under Russell Simmons.

Career

He rose to run Def Jam and Warner Music, co-founded the label 300 Entertainment, and became the global head of music at YouTube.

Major achievements

He helped build hip-hop's biggest record companies and remains one of the industry's most powerful executives.

Legacy

Lyor Cohen is a defining business architect of hip-hop's rise to commercial dominance.

References

Frequently asked questions about Lyor Cohen

What is Lyor Cohen known for?
Lyor Cohen is an American music executive from New York City, New York active since 1984. Lyor Cohen is recognized as a record executive and music executive.
Where is Lyor Cohen from?
Lyor Cohen is from New York City, New York.
When was Lyor Cohen born?
Lyor Cohen was born on October 3, 1959, in New York City, New York.
What kind of music does Lyor Cohen make?
Lyor Cohen's music spans Hip-hop, R&B, and Pop.
Is Lyor Cohen still active?
Yes — Lyor Cohen has been active since 1984 and continues to work today.
What record labels has Lyor Cohen been associated with?
Lyor Cohen has been associated with Def Jam, Warner, and 300.

Related personalities