DEF JAM’S NO I.D. UPS NOAH PRESTON TO VP A&R

In first executive appointment since taking the reins as EVP of Def Jam last week, Dion "No I.D." Wilson has promoted Noah Preston to VP A&R. Preston, who will continue to work out of the label’s L.A. offices, will report directly to No I.D.

"I’ve witnessed Noah’s tenacity and hard work first-hand, ever since I had the privilege of bringing him onto the Def Jam A&R staff full-time three years ago, while he was still attending college," said No I.D. in making the announcement today "It is exactly that kind of creativity and dedication that will ensure Noah reaches even greater levels of success."

"Growing up, Def Jam was everywhere from music, to movies, to videogames, so it was obviously a heavy influence throughout my childhood," Preston said of his only label home. "It’s great to be a part of such a culturally impactful company, especially under the leadership of No I.D. and Steve Bartels. My goal is to help continue to make Def Jam the premier destination for young creatives."

Preston, who has worked Jhené Aiko, Logic, August Alsina and Teyana Taylor, has been part of the Def Jam A&R staff since 2009, with the exception of a one-year stint as a Columbia A&R scout starting in 2010. The L.A. native somehow managed hold down a fulltime A&R gig at Def Jam while also taking a full load of courses during his senior year at Loyola Marymount. He graduated in 2012 with a degree in political science.