WME’s Hip-Hop Division Co-Chiefs Exiting, Expected to Join Wasserman (Exclusive)

Wasserman is expected to bolster its music unit with the hiring of two of WME‘s co-heads of its hip-hop division, who are said to be on the move over to the Westwood-based talent management and production company, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Hip-hop division co-chiefs Kevin Shivers and James Rubin along with WME partner Christina Baxter are in talks to join Casey Wasserman’s firm. A source says that the trio were up for a new deal at WME but couldn’t come to terms with the agency. Shivers was said to be looking for a leadership role. Wasserman declined comment.

The hip-hop division at WME will continue to be led by the remaining co-leads, Caroline Yim and Zach Iser, who joined the agency in 2021 after moving over from CAA. Staffers at the Beverly Hills-based talent giant were informed of the WME departures on Jan. 2 with a short note signed by co-heads of contemporary music, Lucy Dickins and Kirk Sommer.

It’s unclear which clients would be making the transition to Wasserman and, according to one source, a consideration could be what firm is best suited for film and television work for certain hip-hop artists. Touring potential is another consideration.

Shivers had been with WME since 2008, and his clients have included Travis Scott, Tyler the Creator, Lil Baby, Snoop Dogg, Solange, Kid Cudi, Pod Save America’s Jon Favreau and Jon Lovett, Jimmy Butler and more. Rubin joined WME in 2015 from U.K.-based the Agency Group with a focus on global touring acts and his clients have included Run The Jewels and Action Bronson. Both Shivers and Rubin were promoted to partner in 2017.

Baxter, meanwhile, joined the music division in 2011 and was promoted to partner in 2022, working with WME’s team on clients that include Miley Cyrus, Carly Rae Jepsen, Kygo, Sofi Tukker and others.

Wasserman, which now has 3,000-plus employees and a sizable sports and entertainment clientele, has steadily grown its music roster since the acquisition of Paradigm Talent Agency’s North American live music representation business nearly four years ago.