Corey Calder

Music Marketing Executive (Head of Urban Music, Columbia Records)

Corey “C-Notes” Calder is one of today’s most influential and culturally fluent creative leaders in music marketing, recognized for building immersive, artist-first worlds that translate vision into measurable impact. Over the past half decade, Calder has played a pivotal role in shaping the rise of breakout stars including Lay Bankz, Odetari, BunnaB, BabyChiefDoit, and Baby Kia, while creatively directing and guiding global campaigns for marquee artists such as NBA YoungBoy and Kevin Gates.

Known for his ability to merge instinct, data, and culture, Calder’s work spans far beyond traditional marketing. He is deeply involved in crafting an artist’s full ecosystem — from narrative and visual language to content strategy, digital innovation, and viral moments that cut through platforms and resonate at scale. His approach prioritizes authenticity and longevity, ensuring that every creative decision reinforces an artist’s identity rather than chasing fleeting trends.

Calder’s influence is backed by industry recognition, including honors such as Billboard’s Indie Power Players and service on the XXL Awards Board, but his reputation is built on execution. He is widely respected as a hands-on creative operator who leads from the front, translating big ideas into culturally relevant campaigns that drive audience connection, fan growth, and commercial results.

With a career that spans Artist Partner Group under Mike Caren, Warner Records, Apple, Beats Music, Wasserman, and the LA Clippers, Calder brings a rare cross-industry perspective that blends music, technology, sports, and brand storytelling. This multidimensional background informs a modern creative philosophy — one that understands how artists live within culture, how fans engage across platforms, and how creative vision scales globally in today’s attention economy.