Larry Jackson is an American record executive and technologist who co-founded gamma. in 2023. Prior, he served executive positions at Interscope Records and later Apple Music. Billboard included Jackson on its "40 under 40" list,[1] and the "Power 100" list.[2]
Biography
He got his first break at KMEL radio station, where he started apprenticing at eleven years old.[1] He became the station's youngest ever music director at sixteen years old.[3] Music industry legend Clive Davis discovered Jackson at KMEL and began mentoring him.[4] Jackson worked with Davis in A&R at RCA Music Group and Sony Music.[5]
Jackson co-launched Beats with Dr. Dre in 2006.[7] In 2013, he co-launched the streaming service Beats Music. He joined Apple Music after it merged with Beats in 2014,[5] and worked to rebrand Apple Music into something at "the intersection of all things pop-culture. To make it more than just a utility."[8] The platform also launched the Beats 1 radio station with DJ Zane Lowe.[9]
As head of content at Apple Music, Jackson also oversaw the production of music videos, advertisements and documentaries.[10] He launched a successful ad campaign showcasing music from different artists on Apple Music and network television in 2016.[11][12]
In 2015, Jackson brought artists including Drake to the platform under exclusive early release deals. Under one such deal, Drake's albums ‘’Views’’ (2016), and ‘’More Life’’ (2017) was promoted through platforms like Drake's 2016 album Views was promoted through Beats 1 and OVO Sound. Jackson also co-wrote the accompanying short film ‘’Please Forgive Me’’ for Views.[8]
In March 2023, Jackson launched Gamma (stylized as gamma.) a company that produces and distributes multimedia content, with a special focus on Black music and culture.[16] Jackson has stated his intention to promote diversity, equity and inclusion through Gamma and "to run Gamma with a closer focus on — and more sensitivity to — Black culture than the major labels, while structuring deals that help artists retain ownership of their work and build generational wealth."[7]
The company launched with US$1 billion of capital from billionaire investors like Todd Boehly and Apple, Inc.[17]
Gamma competes with major music labels, and acquired the technology platform Vydia in 2022 to facilitate its distribution of music and other media.[18]
