With Def Jam: Last News

Chris Willman Music WriterEmmy-winning television producer Lena Waithe (“Twenties,” “Boomerang,” “The Chi”) is taking a big step into the music sphere, partnering with Def Jam Recordings to start up a new label, Hillman Grad Records, with the goal of what Def Jam describes as “leveraging opportunities across music, TV and film… to capitalize on the cultural significance generated when these worlds meaningfully intersect.”Although no artists signings were announced as part of the public launch Wednesday, some key executives are already in place for Hillman Grad. Albert Cooke, the imprint’s general manager, was formerly in the artist relations department at Soundcloud — and before that, at Def Jam.