Maurice Slade is the Head of Music at SoundCloud, where he leads the company’s global music strategy across artist development, cultural programming, and partnerships. Maurice is focused on supporting creators at the earliest stages of their careers and protecting space for experimentation in an increasingly algorithm-driven industry.

Since joining SoundCloud in 2022, Maurice has strengthened the company’s artist-first positioning and expanded its roster and partnership strategy. He has led high-impact joint ventures with Quality Control’s Solid Foundation, Kei Henderson’s Third & Hayden, and IIIXL Studios, helping to discover and develop the next generation of talent. Under his leadership, SoundCloud has driven breakout success for emerging artists including Laila!, while also securing exclusive releases from chart-topping SoundCloud-native artists such as Yeat, Lil Nas X, and Lil Yachty, reinforcing the platform’s role as a launchpad for what’s next in music.

Prior to SoundCloud, Maurice held senior marketing and strategy roles at Epic Records, where he led campaigns for global artists including Travis Scott and 21 Savage, and at Roc Nation, developing creative branding and marketing strategies for artists such as J. Cole, Rihanna, Kanye West, and Big Sean. He began his career at Universal Motown, contributing to the brand-building of artists including Drake, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj, and Kid Cudi.

A co-founder of culturally influential live-event platforms including Grits & Biscuits and Dial-Up, Maurice brings a unique perspective that bridges digital platforms and real-world community building. His leadership reflects SoundCloud’s commitment to empowering artists, fostering authentic fan connection, and shaping how the next generation of creators are discovered, supported, and sustained.