Warner Music Plans $170M Layoffs While Expanding A&R and Global Talent Focus

Major American label Warner Music Group (WMG) confirms layoffs for the third consecutive year, while intensifying its A&R efforts, investing in emerging talent, and reinforcing its music catalog portfolio. Could this impact Jamaican A&R professionals and artists?

Robert Kyncl, CEO of Warner Music Group (WMG)

Warner Music Group (WMG), one of the world’s leading record labels, is preparing another round of layoffs as part of a broader effort to cut costs. According to multiple U.S. reports, the company aims to reduce annual expenses by approximately $300 million, with $170 million in cuts planned during this phase.

In a memo to staff on Tuesday, CEO Robert Kyncl confirmed that an unspecified number of employees will be let go. The layoffs are part of a months-long restructuring effort and mark the third consecutive year the company has downsized its workforce.

“These are the remaining steps in a period of significant change,” Kyncl said, referring to previous rounds of layoffs and leadership shifts designed to transform the company’s operations and strategy.

The digital era continues to reshape how music is consumed, prompting Warner to place greater emphasis on A&R. The company is now taking a more holistic and focused approach to discovering and partnering with top-tier musical talent.

At the same time, Warner is aggressively pursuing merger and acquisition opportunities. It recently announced a joint venture with Bain Capital, boosting its catalog purchasing power by $1.2 billion across both recorded music and publishing.

Warner Music Group, home to major labels like Atlantic Records and formerly RCA, has a long history of working with Jamaican artists. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, it signed major dancehall acts including Sean Paul (who went independent in 2014) as well as Cham, Wayne Wonder, Beres Hammond, Capleton, and Lady Saw. Atlantic Records also signed Kranium in 2015.

Following a brief lull, major labels have recently renewed their interest in Jamaican talent. In 2023, Teejay became the latest artist to sign both publishing and recording deals with Warner, even visiting their New York offices.

As part of this renewed A&R push, Demonie “Squidell” Wilson, the older brother of dancehall superstar Popcaan, joined Atlantic Records UK in 2024 to help spotlight Jamaican talent on the global stage.

On a broader scale, Warner Music Group’s global roster includes superstar acts such as Burna Boy, Ed Sheeran, Lizzo, Bruno Mars, Sia, Cardi B, and Coldplay.