Hybe America Names Ethiopia Habtemariam President of Music

Music industry leader Ethiopia Habtemariam has been named the new President of Music for Hybe America, effective immediately. Reporting directly to Hybe America Chairman and CEO Isaac Lee, she will operate from bases in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Her primary responsibility will be to spearhead the company's overarching strategy, overseeing artist discovery and development across its label portfolio while identifying new intersections between music, culture, and fan communities.

Habtemariam's appointment signals a deliberate push to strengthen Hybe America's presence in Atlanta, a city synonymous with shaping contemporary R&B and hip-hop. This focus is poised to elevate the profile of Quality Control, the influential Atlanta label Hybe purchased last year. The move underscores a broader industry trend of global entertainment conglomerates establishing deep roots in regional creative epicenters to source authentic talent. "A leader with her credibility and connections can act as a cultural conduit, translating local trends into worldwide phenomena," observed music strategist David Park.

She arrives from Motown Records, where her tenure as Chairwoman and CEO was marked by the strategic joint venture with Quality Control that propelled acts like Migos, Lil Baby, and City Girls to mainstream success. Habtemariam's extensive background includes over two decades at Universal Music Group (UMG), a global music corporation whose publishing and recorded music divisions represent a massive share of the industry's top artists. There, she held executive positions at Universal Music Publishing, Capitol Music Group, and Motown, playing a pivotal role in the careers of hitmakers such as Chris Brown, Justin Bieber, and songwriter Theron Thomas.

Hybe America's leadership expressed unequivocal support for the new hire. Chairman-CEO Isaac Lee emphasized her proven track record, stating, "Ethiopia's influence on both creative talent and business strategy is unparalleled. Her vision is exactly what we need to navigate our next phase of growth as a multifaceted entertainment enterprise." The appointment is seen as a key step in Hybe America's mission to blend Korean pop's innovative fan engagement models with Western music industry expertise.

In her comments, Habtemariam pointed to the company's innovative ethos. "Hybe America's intentional, long-term approach to building within culture is what drew me in," she said. "I am thrilled to apply my experience here, collaborating to shape the next evolution of the global music landscape." Her role is expected to be crucial in integrating Hybe's diverse assets, from its label operations to its technology and media platforms, into a cohesive ecosystem for artist development.