Former Atlantic Records and Warner/Chappell executive, Chris Hicks, has been appointed Executive Vice President at Def Jam, taking over the vacant position that became available following the death of Shakir Stewart in November of last year.

Hicks joined the Warner/Chappell staff as Vice President, Urban A&R in 2004, and was later promoted to Senior Vice President, Urban A&R for Atlantic Records and Senior Vice President, A&R and Head of Urban Music for Warner/Chappell Music in April 2007.

Hicks founded the publishing company, Noontime, in 1997, where he identified and developed numerous artists, including writers Brian Michael Cox, Jazze Pha, Dave Young and Teddy Bishop. At Warner/Chappell, he was an important figure in striking publishing agreements with T.I., Lil’ Wayne, Yung Joc, LeToya, Eric Hudson and Lloyd, in addition to helping re-sign Timbaland and Dr. Dre.