Interscope A&R vet Manny Smith has been upped to SVP, it was announced today. Smith's signings include hip-hop luminary Kendrick Lamar, whom he inked via a JV with Top Dawg Entertainment and Aftermath; TDE's ScHoolboy Q; and Eardruma breakouts Rae Sremmurd. He has also worked closely with producer/writer Mike WiLL Made-It (Beyoncé, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Lil Wayne).

Over the course of his career at the label, which he joined in 2003 as an intern, he's also worked with Eminem, 50 Cent and Timbaland, among other major acts.

"Manny is a skilled A&R executive and a tremendous asset to the company,” noted label topper John Janick. "He understands the artistic temperament, can read the demands of the marketplace, and most importantly, knows how to make a great record.  I couldn’t be happier to give Manny this well-deserved promotion."

“In my eyes," added TDE chief Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, "Manny’s the best in the business.”

"Interscope has always set the bar high for the rest of the industry and taken chances on artists who end up leading the way in popular music," declared Smith. "It’s a company that allows artists the room to explore their creative freedom, rather than just follow the latest trends. I’m happy to be a part of that, and to help sign the next wave of artists who are going to make an impact on music and culture."

Steve Berman simply noted that Manny is dope.