Executive VP Kevin Liles Leaves Warner Music Group.

After five years as the Executive Vice President of Warner Music Group, Kevin Liles [click to read] has announced that he will be stepping down from his position at the company. As former president of Def Jam and one-time Executive VP of Island Def Jam, Liles has worked with artists like Jay-Z, Kanye West, and LL Cool J. During his tenure at Def Jam, Liles oversaw the establishment of Def Jam South, Roc-A-Fella Records, and Murder Inc., and was instrumental in the growth of the label.

In 2004, Liles joined Warner Music Group, which houses Diddy's Bad Boy Records, T.I.'s Grand Hustle label, and Atlantic Records, and oversaw the now popular 360-degree strategy that gives artists more access to endorsements and merchandising.

"In the past couple weeks I've made one of the most important decisions of my life," Liles said in a statement, "to depart the Warner Music Group in order to focus more on new entrepreneurial endeavors in talent management, entertainment media, and my personal philanthropic and political passions."

According to a company statement, Liles will maintain a consulting role with Warner Music, but will step down from his day-to-day duties.