> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Music Industry Uncharacteristically Silent On Lyor Cohen’s YouTube Hire
- URL: https://www.hypebot.com/music-industry-uncharacteristically-silent-on-lyor-cohens-youtube-hire/
- Published: 2016-10-03T11:59:00.000Z
- Updated: 2016-10-03T11:59:00.000Z
- Description: Lyor Cohen ran Def Jam and then all of Warner Music Group. He's mentored several generations of hip hop stars. So when he was named as YouTube's Global Head of Music,. Continue reading [https://www.hypebot.com/hypebot/2016/10/music-industry-uncharacteristically-silent-on-lyor-cohens-youtube-hire.htm
- Author: Bruce Houghton
- Tags: Major Labels, Music Business, Music Tech, YouTube & Video, Def Jam Recordings, Google, Internet radio, Merlin Network, Pandora Radio, record label, Spotify, Streaming media, Tim Westergren, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, YouTube, #wp, #wp-post, #Import 2026-01-21 10:13

[![image from gph.is](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d224b099970c-200wi "image from gph.is")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201b8d224b099970c-popup?ref=hypebot.com)**Lyor Cohen** ran **Def Jam** and then all of **Warner Music Group.** He'smentored several generations of **hip hop stars**. So when he was named as **YouTube's Global Head of Music**, I expected a collective industry high five. Instead, there's been almost **total silence**.

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

  
[![lyor cohen](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201bb093e4e6a970d-150wi "lyor cohen")](http://hypebot.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83451b36c69e201bb093e4e6a970d-popup?ref=hypebot.com)Last week when Lyor Cohen was named YouTube's Global Head Of Music and tasked with improving music industry relations, I asked for comment. Some expressed skepticism, others predicted failure and a few just plain had to share how much they disliked the former music exec. "He's a blowhard and a bully," said one, who like all the rest spoke only on the condition of anonymity. "He's the last person I'd want to sit across the negotiating table from," said another.Missing was the usual flood of ready made quotes from PR teams. "If you're doing a story on Lyor's hiring, here's what \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ had to say!" The [New York Pos](http://nypost.com/2016/10/02/labels-silent-on-news-of-lyor-cohens-move-to-youtube/?ref=hypebot.com)t tried to poll the major labels for reaction to Cohen's hiring, and got no response."Not a single label would offer any comment on his arrival as YouTube’s new boss of global music." Manager and industry veteran Irving Azoff did release a statement that reminded Cohen that he has a difficult task ahead. “As a prolific manager, label executive and label owner, Lyor has a long history as a defender of artist rights," Azoff wrote. “We are counting on you, Lyor, to lead YouTube to provide fair payments to artists and give them more creative control. Congratulations, Lyor, I know you can get it done.”Never afraid to speak his mind, pundit Bob Lefsetz [wrote,](http://lefsetz.com/wordpress/2016/09/28/lyor-goes-youtube/?ref=hypebot.com) "The only problem is people HATE HIM! Expecting Lyor Cohen to make peace with labels is like believing Roger Waters will get back together with David Gilmour for a concert in support of Israeli statehood.This shows how out of touch YouTube is, I hope the ink isn’t dry," ee added, "As for Lyor himself…KUDOS! He crawled from the wreckage into a brand new car."

Related articles

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/AVdyvlRifGxcqMFi2PVo_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/google-hires-ex-warner-music-group-ceo-lyor-cohen-joins-as-youtube-global-head-of-music/)[Google Hires Ex-Warner Music Group CEO Lyor Cohen As YouTube Global Head Of Music – hypebot](https://www.hypebot.com/google-hires-ex-warner-music-group-ceo-lyor-cohen-joins-as-youtube-global-head-of-music/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/AVcoIKUk7_uhn5m8Slyp_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/like-access-industries-liberty-media-is-building-a-full-stack-music-company/)[Like Access Industries, Liberty Media Is Building A Full Stack Music Company](https://www.hypebot.com/like-access-industries-liberty-media-is-building-a-full-stack-music-company/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/AVcQLkR0AtwPXTbjLLxh_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/the-company-that-owns-warner-music-group-just-took-control-of-music-streamer-deezer/)[The Company That Owns Warner Music Group Just Took Control Of Music Streamer Deezer](https://www.hypebot.com/the-company-that-owns-warner-music-group-just-took-control-of-music-streamer-deezer/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/AVdyvTnc7_uhn5m8Su8f_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/new-youtube-global-head-of-music-lyor-cohens-letter-to-staff-full-text/)[New Global Head Of Music Lyor Cohen's Letter To His YouTube Team \[FULL TEXT\] – hypebot](https://www.hypebot.com/new-youtube-global-head-of-music-lyor-cohens-letter-to-staff-full-text/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/333983876_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/rdio-adds-20-curated-record-label-stations/)[Rdio Adds 20 Curated Record Label Stations](https://www.hypebot.com/rdio-adds-20-curated-record-label-stations/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/341992556_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/streaming-music-revenue-passes-downloads-at-warner-music-group-for-1st-time/)[Streaming Music Revenue Passes Downloads At Warner Music Group For 1st Time](https://www.hypebot.com/streaming-music-revenue-passes-downloads-at-warner-music-group-for-1st-time/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/303668683_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/warner-music-group-expands-management-team/)[Warner Music Group Expands Management Team](https://www.hypebot.com/warner-music-group-expands-management-team/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/341842666_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/warner-music-group-reports-strong-quarter/)[Warner Music Group Reports Strong Quarter](https://www.hypebot.com/warner-music-group-reports-strong-quarter/)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/322087830_80_80.jpg)](http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/jasons-music-industry-predictions-for-2015.html?ref=hypebot.com)[Jason's Music Industry Predictions for 2015](http://www.musicthinktank.com/blog/jasons-music-industry-predictions-for-2015.html?ref=hypebot.com)

[![](http://i.zemanta.com/336280276_80_80.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/will-vessel-video-service-make-the-same-mistake-as-tidal/)[Will Vessel Video Service Make The Same Mistake As Tidal?](https://www.hypebot.com/will-vessel-video-service-make-the-same-mistake-as-tidal/)