SHIVERS, RUBIN, BAXTER EXIT WME, JOIN WASSERMAN

Updating a story posted on 1/3, WME hip-hop division co-heads Kevin Shivers and James Rubin and partner Christina Baxter are exiting the agency and have joined Wasserman Music.

Prior reports indicated that they were unable to come to terms on a new deal when their contracts were up. Staffers were informed of their exit 1/2 in a note signed by Contemporary Music Co-Heads Lucy Dickins and Kirk Sommer.

Per an arrangement negotiated by Granderson Des Rochers' Damien Granderson, Shivers and Rubin will join Wasserman's Executive Leadership Team as part of the group's biggest expansion since the 2021 launch of the agency. HITS has it on good authority that the artists they represented at WME will join them at Wasserman.

“It’s gratifying to now refer to some of our toughest competition as our newest teammates and partners," said Wasserman Music President Lee Anderson, who shepherded the move. Added Shivers, "Wasserman Music is creating an agency for the future—one focused equally on nurturing both the talent they represent and the talent they hire."

Shivers, who started at WME in 2008, works with such artists as Snoop Dogg, Tyler, the Creator, Lil Baby, Kali Uchis, Kid Cudi, Summer Walker and Kevin Abstract. Rubin arrived in 2015 from the U.K.'s Agency Group. His acts include Travis Scott, Don Toliver, Yeat and Solange. “I’m thrilled to join the very best team in our industry, bar none,” he said.

A 13-year veteran of WME, Baxter became a partner in 2022 and has been involved in the live careers of André 3000, Kygo and Carly Rae Jepsen, among others.

HITS hears that another high-profile agent switch-up is looming in the blood sport of talent representation. We're just hoping these agents will call us someday. Maybe. Please.

Lee Anderson