Craig Kallman

Overview

Craig Kallman is an American entrepreneur and former DJ, best known as the Chairman and CEO of Atlantic Records. He began his music career in the 1980s as a DJ in Manhattan and founded Big Beat Records in 1986. In 1991, Atlantic Records acquired Big Beat, and Kallman joined Atlantic, eventually becoming its CEO in 2005. Under his leadership, Atlantic signed and developed major artists such as Bruno Mars, Cardi B, and Lizzo. In December 2025, Kallman transitioned to the role of Chief Music Officer at Warner Music Group, continuing to sign new artists to Big Beat Records. In addition to his executive roles, Kallman is an angel investor and advisor to technology companies, focusing on the consumer and enterprise sectors. His investment activities are not extensively documented, but his involvement in the tech industry reflects his diverse interests beyond the music business. Kallman's contributions to the music industry have been recognized with numerous awards, including being named to Crain's New York's 40 Under 40 in 1998 and receiving the Music Visionary of the Year award from the UJA-Federation in 2010. His leadership at Atlantic Records has been instrumental in shaping the careers of several prominent artists and in the evolution of the music industry over the past three decades.