For the second year, Billboard is presenting the peer-voted R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players’ Choice Award, an accolade chosen by Billboard Pro members to honor the executive they believe has made the greatest impact across the hip-hop and R&B music business over the past year. After three rounds of voting, Billboard Pro members have chosen WME partner Kevin Shivers.

Over the last 16 years, Shivers has risen from working in the William Morris mail room to becoming a partner in WME’s music department, where he shares leadership of its hip-hop division and oversees global A&R.

After growing up on Motown, and immersing himself in the Austin music scene while at the University of Texas, Shivers moved to Los Angeles. He now works with a roster that includes some of the most notable names in the game, from Tyler, The Creator — who will bring his beloved Camp Flog Gnaw festival back to L.A. in November — to Snoop Dogg, Kali Uchis, Lil Baby, Kid Cudi, Summer Walker, Solange and other greats. Shivers also serves on the board of the cancer charity City of Hope and mentors rising industry leaders and emerging artists. His key piece of advice? “Show up early, stay late, call everybody back, and be grateful.”

“I’m grateful for this honor,” Shivers adds, “which, to me, represents the work of our entire team at WME — it’s been a year full of growth, and there’s no end in sight. The drive comes from the talent of our artists, who continue to headline tours, lead festival lineups and create music that resonates. I’m proud to work alongside so many dedicated folks across this industry.”

This story appears in the Aug. 31, 2024, issue of Billboard.