Island Def Jam ups Anokute

Chris Anokute has been elevated to senior veepee of A&R for Island Def Jam Music Group, the company announced Thursday. Starting his career as an intern at Def Jam a decade ago, Anokute subsequently moved to EMI, where he handled A&R for both of Katy Perry's multiplatinum records for Capitol, as well as Joss Stone's "Introducing Joss Stone." He returned to the Universal Music Group fold earlier this year, most recently as senior VP of A&R for Universal Republic. "Chris is very talented, and I'm happy he is joining our A&R team," said IDJ's exec VP-head of A&R Karen Kwak, to whom Anokute will report. "His track record for discovering fresh and unique talent is impressive." Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com