Draft:Charlie Lycett

Charlie Lycett is a British music executive and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of Graduation, a global artist partnership company and heads up international operations for Firebird, a strategic investor in the music industry. Previously, Lycett served as the President of RCA Records, where he became the youngest-ever president of a major record label and led the company to become the number one label by market share in the UK.

Early Life and Education

Charlie Lycett was born in London, England. His father worked in broadcasting, which influenced Lycett’s early interest in music and media. While details about his education remain private, Lycett’s upbringing exposed him to the creative and commercial aspects of the entertainment industry, shaping his future career.

Career

Early Career

Lycett began his career in 2000 at The Outside Organisation, a leading PR and marketing firm specialising in entertainment. This role provided early experience in artist management and media relations.

The Lucid Group

In 2003, Lycett founded The Lucid Group, an online and broadcast music agency. The Lucid Group grew into one of the UK’s largest music agencies, representing artists such as David Bowie, Beyoncé and The Rolling Stones. The company focused on integrating digital strategies with traditional artist representation. In 2010, Lycett sold a stake in The Lucid Group to Sony Music Entertainment, enhancing the company’s reach and reputation.

Bebo

In 2006, Lycett became an advisor and shareholder at Bebo, a social media platform that became the largest network of its kind in the UK. Lycett focused on fostering partnerships between artists and the platform, positioning Bebo as a key space for music promotion. In 2010, Bebo was sold to AOL for $850m.

RCA Records

At the age of 28, Lycett was appointed President of RCA Records, making him the youngest president of a major record label. During his tenure, RCA became the leading label in the UK by market share. Lycett modernized RCA’s approach to marketing and distribution by incorporating digital platforms and innovative promotional strategies. He worked closely with high-profile artists such as Beyonce, P!NK and Usher.

Black Butter Records and Stackhouse Management

Following his tenure at RCA, Lycett became a co-owner of Black Butter Records, a joint venture with Sony Music. Black Butter was instrumental in the success of artists such as DJ Khaled, Zara Larsson, J Hus, and Bakar. Lycett also became a co-owner of Stackhouse Management, which represents artists such as Rudimental. Both ventures highlighted Lycett’s ability to support and expand artist-driven businesses.

Graduation

In 2021, Lycett founded Graduation, an artist partnership company dedicated to innovative artist development and empowerment. Graduation works with notable artists, including Brent Faiyaz and Russ, focusing on personalised strategies to help them maintain creative control and achieve commercial success. The company also created the G Music Network, a rapidly growing network of owned and operated social media accounts designed to create viral moments and break new artists. By leveraging this network, Graduation has positioned itself as a leader in connecting artists with global audiences while fostering long-term career growth.

Firebird

Lycett heads up international operations for Firebird, a strategic investor in the music industry founded in 2022 by Nat Zilkha and Nathan Hubbard. Firebird provides financial support, data-driven insights, and innovative strategies to enhance the long-term value of music projects. The company invests in record labels, music managers, and other creative ventures. Lycett’s role includes fostering partnerships and expanding Firebird’s global reach.

References

External Links

• Graduation

• Firebird

• RCA Records

• Black Butter Records

• Bebo

• Sony Music Entertainment

References