Today, Billboard released its 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players list, highlighting executives across the genre for their contributions to the industry and in the world of R&B and Hip-Hop. Reservoir congratulates our President and COO Rell Lafargue and our Executive Vice President of A&R and Catalog Development Faith Newman, who have both been recognized on the list.

Rell Lafargue oversees all of Reservoir’s operations and deals, including the $100 million acquisition of the influential hip-hop catalog of Tommy Boy Music and the integration of that catalog. Rell led the charge on the Reservoir’s landmark move in hip-hop of bringing the entire back catalog of seminal hip-hop trio De La Soul, including Posdnuos, Maseo, and the late Trugoy the Dove (aka Dave), to streaming platforms for the first time ever. Upon release in March, 3 Feet High and Rising returned to No. 8 on the Top R&B/HipHop Albums chart. De La Soul has publicly credited Rell for his extensive work dedicated to executing on Reservoir’s promises to them, and Rell has been featured across media interviews regarding the momentous release, including in The New York Times.

Billboard featured Rell’s remarks, noting it was “a massive moment for the history of the genre and for its generations of listeners past, present and future. We are deeply proud of Reservoir’s ability to make good on our promise.”

Faith Newman, who has been with Reservoir for 12 years, was also a driving force in executing the De La Soul release. Faith worked closely with the iconic group to bring this massive effort to fruition. Specifically, she worked hand in hand with the group throughout the intricate process as the Reservoir team helped parse through the complex samples quintessential to and pervasive in the group’s music to prepare it for streaming. In addition, Faith continues to many of Reservoir’s myriad R&B/hip-hop signings. She recently ushered in deals for the catalogs of iconic hip-hop producers Dan the Automator, Larry Smith, Marley Marl, and Mannie Fresh. She also signed active hip-hop talent Killer Mike and Armani White to the Reservoir roster, while remaining the creative lead for Reservoir talent like J.I.D, Just Blaze, and Joey Bada$$, among others.

Reservoir writer-producer Khris Riddick-Tynes was also named to Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players List, recognized for his role as VP of A&R/Co-Head of Urban Music at Arista Records.

The full list of Billboard’s 2023 R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players can be found here.