Lyor Cohen is the North American Chairman and CEO of Warner Music Group, which means he runs one of the most successful and powerful record labels in the largest media market in the world. A veteran of the music business for 25 years, Cohen has come to be recognized for his power and influence, as well as for his candor and keen business sense.

Cohen was imperative in getting rapper Common to sign with Warner Bros. Records. He reached out to the Chicago emcee personally. “I felt the sincerity in what he was saying," Common said at the time. "He didn’t tell me, ‘We’re going to do this, do that.’ He was more like, ‘I know how we can do your record, and I want to work this. I want this to be on my roster.’” His perspective on the business is valued by seemingly everyone. Cohen participated in a fireside chat during a symposium at the Rethink Music Event in January.

Cohen continues to be among the more hands-on executives in music--and remains a uniquely eccentric figure at the top of the industry. He appeared at fan rally for rapper Lupe Fiasco to play them the Chicago emcee's newest single personally. And he's one of the more quotable personalities in music--from discussing the importance of digital music to making bold proclamations like vinyl will outlast CDs.