LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 8, 2026--
HYBE AMERICA today announced the appointment of Ethiopia Habtemariam as President of Music, effective immediately. A highly respected executive and cultural leader, Habtemariam joins HYBE AMERICA as the company continues to expand its influence across music, fandom, and global culture. In this role, Habtemariam will help advance HYBE AMERICA’s long-term growth strategy, spearheading A&R and artist development initiatives across the company’s label ecosystem and identifying new creative and commercial opportunities at the intersection of music, culture, and fandom. She will also play a key role in expanding HYBE AMERICA’s presence in Atlanta, her hometown and a global epicenter of R&B and hip-hop, further strengthening Quality Control’s presence and impact as Atlanta’s premier music company.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260108287574/en/
“Ethiopia is a once-in-a-generation leader whose impact on artists, songwriters, culture, and the music business is undeniable,” said Isaac Lee, Chairman and CEO of HYBE AMERICA, to whom Habtemariam will report. “Her vision, taste, and strategic insight make her uniquely suited to help shape the next chapter of HYBE AMERICA as we continue building a future-facing entertainment company centered on artists and fans.”
Habtemariam is widely regarded as one of the most influential executives in the music industry, with a career defined by artist and songwriter-first leadership, cultural fluency, and the ability to build and scale enduring creative businesses. Most recently, she served as Chairwoman and CEO of Motown Records, where she led the iconic label through a period of revitalization and growth, championing both emerging and established artists while expanding Motown’s global reach and cultural relevance. During her tenure, she spearheaded the landmark Quality Control–Motown label venture, overseeing the signing and development of genre-defining artists including Lil Yachty, City Girls, Migos and Lil Baby while also signing and championing artists such as Leon Thomas and NBA YoungBoy to the storied label.
“I’ve long admired how HYBE AMERICA approaches artists, fans, and the future of entertainment,” said Habtemariam. “This is a company building with intention and investing for the long term while staying deeply connected to culture. I’m excited to contribute my experience as HYBE AMERICA continues to shape what’s next for music on a global scale.”
Prior to Motown, Habtemariam spent more than two decades at Universal Music Group, holding senior leadership roles across Universal Music Publishing, Capitol Music Group and Motown Records. Throughout her career, Habtemariam has worked with some of the most influential artists, songwriters and executives in modern music, shaping culture through a rare combination of creative instinct and business rigor. During her tenure at Universal Music Publishing, she played a pivotal role in the signing and development of influential artists and songwriters including Chris Brown, Theron Thomas, J. Cole, Justin Bieber, Ciara, Polow Da Don, Jhene Aiko, Cardo, Hit Boy, Keri Hilson and Happy Perez.
In her new role, she will continue to collaborate closely with Universal Music Group, reflecting the longstanding partnership between HYBE and UMG.
“Ethiopia and I have a long history of working together, pushing boundaries, and breaking barriers in this industry,” said Pierre “P” Thomas, CEO, Quality Control Music. “Her passion for artists, commitment to culture, and deep understanding of the music landscape make her an extraordinary leader. I’m excited for what we will build together in this next chapter.”
“Working with Ethiopia again feels full circle. From the early days in Atlanta, we built something special at Quality Control, and it means a lot to see that legacy continue in this next chapter,” said Kevin "Coach K" Lee, COO, Quality Control Music.
Habtemariam will be based in Los Angeles and Atlanta.
About HYBE AMERICA
HYBE AMERICA, a subsidiary of HYBE Corp., is a leading global entertainment and media company at the intersection of music, film, television, technology, brands, culture and social good. HYBE AMERICA drives innovation across the entertainment landscape through its diverse portfolio, including Big Machine Label Group and Quality Control Music in the U.S., and HYBE’s labels in Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market. The company represents a powerhouse roster of global artists spanning multiple genres and cultures. With headquarters in Los Angeles, HYBE AMERICA creates synergistic opportunities for artists, businesses, and brands through its integrated approach to talent development, content creation, and technological innovation that transcends industries.
Photo Credit: The Vxsionary
JUNEAU, Alaska (AP) — Alaska U.S. Senate candidate Dan Sullivan acknowledges that sharing a name and party affiliation with the incumbent Republican gives him “an instant megaphone" in the crowded primary race. But Sullivan said his campaign isn't a sham or something Democrats put him up to doing.
He said friends for years have jokingly referred to him as senator and asked if he has ever thought about running. He said he’s been considering it for more than a decade.
“This is my choice,” Sullivan, who lives in the small fishing community of Petersburg, said in a telephone interview Monday.
Last week, Sen. Dan Sullivan accused the challenger Sullivan of “trying to trick” voters to help his main rival in the race, Democratic former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola. The senator suggested the other Sullivan's entrance in the August primary was part of a coordinated effort by Democrats and Peltola's campaign to confuse voters, an accusation they deny. He threatened litigation to get to the bottom of it.
The issue is of national concern to Republicans because they are seeking to hold onto their majority in the U.S. Senate in what is expected to be a difficult midterm election year for the party in power. Sullivan, the challenger, dismissed claims that his candidacy is a merely a ruse to undermine the senator's reelection chances.
He said he has had no contact with Peltola's campaign — “zero, none, zilch” — and said “no” when asked if anyone from the state Democratic Party or any national Democratic operatives had contacted him to run.
A Peltola spokesperson, Harry Child, has said the campaign “has no involvement with either Sullivan campaign.” The executive director of the Alaska Democratic Party, Jenny-Marie Stryker, said her organization “is in no way affiliated with either Dan Sullivan.” A Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee spokesperson, Monica Robinson, replied “no” when asked if the group had been involved in urging the challenger Sullivan to run.
Sullivan called sharing a name with the Alaska's incumbent U.S. senator “a matter of fate” and said he had done nothing wrong.
“I have every right to run for whatever office I'm qualified for, and I’m qualified for this office,” the challenger said, adding: “I think I’m doing what most Americans would think would be a patriotic thing to do when you’re unsatisfied with the status quo. You stand up and say, I’m going to fight for things I believe that are going to make my community better.”
Ballots in prior years in Alaska have not identified the incumbent, but the Alaska Division of Elections’ current candidate list online does. It also distinguishes the candidates using a middle initial — Dan S. Sullivan for the senator and Dan J. Sullivan for the challenger.
Alaska has open primaries in which the top four vote-getters, regardless of party, advance to the ranked choice general election in November. Sen. Sullivan's campaign worries having two Dan Sullivans on the ballot could confuse voters.
Sen. Sullivan's campaign, in a statement Monday, said, “Alaskans deserve a fair and honest election — not political games meant to manipulate the ballot and benefit Democrats.”
The challenger said he was registered with the limited government-leaning Alaskan Independence Party for decades, until the party's dissolution late last year. Election officials had said voters registered with the party could change their affiliation but if they did not, they'd be shown as “undeclared.” Sullivan said he then was listed as undeclared until filing to run for office, when he registered as Republican.
He said he was motivated in part by his late father, whom he described as a “true, compassionate, conservative Republican.” He said if he had to label himself, it would be “a pragmatic Republican centrist” — similar to Alaska's senior U.S. senator, Lisa Murkowski, but “with touches of a Rand Paul Republican in there.”
He said he grew up in the Chicago area but was drawn to Alaska and put down roots nearly 50 years ago in Petersburg. The fishing community of about 3,400 in southeast Alaska's Tongass National Forest is known as “Little Norway” for its many residents with Scandinavian roots. He worked for the U.S. Forest Service before changing careers and becoming a teacher. He has since retired.
Like most communities in Alaska, Petersburg isn't connected to the state's main road system and is accessible only by air or water. Juneau, the nearest city, is about 45 minutes away by plane.
Petersburg sits on Mitkof Island, which is distinguished by mountains, thick stands of forest and boggy areas called muskeg. Sea lions hauled up on buoys and humpback whales and orcas are common sights off its shores.
Sullivan, who will turn 69 this weekend, passed on an interview request last Friday, he said, because the king salmon were running and he wanted to fish.
As far as his run for office, the challenger said he plans to do some fundraising and hopes to campaign in the state's larger cities, including Anchorage and Juneau, but he so far has no firm plans to do so and is working on the details.
He finds the current dustup over his Senate run — and the incumbent's reaction — a bit surprising.
“I guess my thought would be, ‘Dude, why don’t you just run your campaign?’ If you’ve got a strong record, run on your record. People will love you for it and you’ll be swept back into office,” he said Monday. “Why would he be concerned that a guy out of Petersburg is this huge threat?”
Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska, heads to a closed-door meeting with fellow Republicans, at the Capitol in Washington, Tuesday, June 2, 2026. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
