Phylicia Fant has exited her post as executive vp, urban music at Columbia Records, sources with knowledge of her departure tell Billboard. There was no reason given for Fant’s exit, and there’s also no word yet as to where Fant, who declined to comment, may be headed.
A Columbia spokesperson confirmed Fant’s departure. Today (Jan. 7) is her last day at the label.
Fant joined Columbia in December 2018 when she and Shawn Holiday were appointed co-heads of urban music. Over the last two years, the label has scored successes with projects from Lil Nas X, The Kid LAROI, Polo G, Chloe x Halle, 24kGoldn, Leon Bridges and Lil Tjay. Columbia is also home to Beyoncé, Tyler, The Creator, Pharrell and Raphael Saadiq. Holiday, who teamed with The Azoff Company’s Irving and Jeffrey Azoff in February 2021 to launch a new label and publishing venture, still maintains an A&R role at Columbia.
Before moving to Columbia, Fant served as senior vp of publicity and special projects at Warner Bros. (now Warner Records) from 2011-2018. While there, she conceived and implemented global campaigns for a diverse slate of artists, including Prince, Bebe Rexha, Andra Day, Gary Clark Jr., Marshmello, Jason Derulo, Lil Pump, MMG (Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale), Gucci Mane, Saweetie, Mac Miller and Drake’s OVO Sound. From 2001-2011, she worked in publicity at Universal Music Group, assisting in media campaigns for Stevie Wonder, Amy Winehouse, Kid Cudi and Erykah Badu, among other artists. Fant is also founder and CEO of The Purple Agency, a multi-discipline agency specializing in public relations, publicity, marketing and events.
During the course of her career, Fant has been spotlighted in Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power and Women in Music executive features in addition to the publication’s 2019 New Power Generation list of 25 top music industry innovators. A current member of the board of governors for the Los Angeles chapter of the Recording Academy, she has also spoken on various entertainment industry panels including Complex Con and Revolt.
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Tagged: business, Columbia Records, entertainment blog, music blog, Phylicia Fant, Record Labels