Christopher BarrettIn a move designed to bolster its rap and hip hop business, AEG Presents has appointed longstanding SJM promoter Chris Wareing (pictured) as senior vice president for global touring, and former SJM booker Paris Harding as promoter.
Wareing, the founder of the Gods of Rap UK arena tour, which involved veteran hip-hop acts Wu-Tang Clan, Public Enemy and De La Soul, is an experienced promoter of hip hop, rap and RnB shows. Among the acts he has worked on tours with are Stormzy, Dave, Travis Scott and Little Simz.
At AEG, Wareing will work with Harding to expand on the company’s existing offering to boost its hip hop and rap presence both domestically and globally.
AEG Presents UK CEO Steve Homer said, “Having worked alongside Chris for a number of years and admired his presence from afar, I couldn’t be more thrilled to have him join our team. He’ll be working closely with myself and my colleague Gary Gersh , [president of global touring and talent, AEG Presents] at an international level, to drive our footprint in these important genres forward. It’s rare to come across talent at the level he and Paris exhibit and I couldn’t think of a better way to close out a stellar year.”
Wareing said, “I’m excited to kick off the New Year with a new challenge booking globally with AEG. I admire the vision and work of the company and I’m looking forward to further driving their presence in the hip hop and rap space.”
The appointments are the latest in a string of new staff acquisitions including former Royal Albert Hall creative director Lucy Noble.