A&R (Artists and Repertoire)

A&R, or Artists and Repertoire, is the division of a record label or music publisher responsible for scouting new talent and overseeing the creative process of developing and promoting artists.

A&R representatives act as the bridge between artists and the label, helping shape musical direction, selecting songs for albums, and connecting artists with producers, songwriters, and other collaborators.

Example: In the early 2000s, Roc-A-Fella Records’ A&R team was pivotal in discovering Kanye West and shaping his debut album, The College Dropout.