Atlantic Records Lays Off Approximately 170 Employees

Nicki Minaj has stirred controversy by mocking Atlantic Records' recent layoffs, which affected around 170 employees, amidst significant executive turnover at the label, including the departure of CEO Kevin Liles. In a series of posts on X, she advised the laid-off staff to apply to her own label, Heavy On It, and referenced UPS as a potential employer, suggesting they shouldn’t be upset about the situation. This restructuring comes as Atlantic appoints 10K Projects founder Elliot Grainge as its new CEO, effective October 1, while previous top executives like Julie Greenwald also exit. Minaj's comments follow a broader trend of instability within Warner Music Group, which has seen multiple rounds of layoffs in recent months. Additionally, these developments coincide with the fallout from Sean Combs' recent arrest, further shaking the industry. The layoffs and Minaj's responses highlight the ongoing challenges and rivalries within the music industry.