XO Records

Operational Structure

XO functions simultaneously as recording label, artist management company (SALXCO), and creative incubator, with CEO Wassim “Sal” Slaiby overseeing operations alongside co-founders Amir “Cash” Esmailian and creative director La Mar Taylor. The entity maintains 42-52 employees across Los Angeles and Toronto facilities, generating approximately $7 million annual revenue through integrated services. SALXCO management handles high-profile clients including The Weeknd, Doja Cat, and Swedish House Mafia, creating a dual structure where label and management functions operate under unified leadership.

This organizational model provides access to Universal Music Group’s global infrastructure while maintaining boutique label independence for creative decisions. Republic Records manages distribution and platform relationships, Universal Music Publishing Group administers publishing rights, and Bravado handles merchandise operations. The integration enables sophisticated multi-platform releases and coordinated marketing campaigns for priority releases while secondary roster artists access baseline UMG services without dedicated label-specific promotional teams.

Catalog Performance

Hurry Up Tomorrow (January 2025) achieved #1 Billboard 200 with 283,000 album-equivalent units, marking the largest opening week of 2025 outside Morgan Wallen’s release. The Weeknd maintains seven #1 Billboard 200 projects across his catalog, with After Hours generating 500+ million streams globally and “Blinding Lights” holding the longest-charting Hot 100 record at 90 weeks. The label’s catalog demonstrates consistent chart dominance through The Weeknd’s releases while secondary artists maintain healthy streaming profiles without matching commercial scale.

NAV’s OMW2 Rexdale (March 2025) debuted #37 Billboard 200 with 18,000 units, representing his lowest studio album debut despite critical recognition for artistic growth. Belly’s 96 Miles from Bethlehem (2024) received critical acclaim for political content addressing Palestinian humanitarian issues, with all proceeds directed to aid organizations rather than commercial positioning. Chxrry’s singles including “Main Character” and “Just Like Me” achieved multi-million stream performance with touring support placements alongside The Weeknd, FLO, and Rema.

Distribution Infrastructure

Republic Records provides exclusive distribution across digital platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, Amazon Music, and TikTok, with all releases credited as “XO/Republic Records” reflecting the subsidiary relationship. Universal Music Group’s global network delivers platform access across 190+ countries through Republic’s operational infrastructure, while Bravado manages merchandising through XO.store and retail partnerships. The integration eliminates need for secondary distributors, positioning XO as fully embedded within UMG’s distribution ecosystem rather than operating as independent label partnering with multiple platforms.

Physical distribution capabilities exist through Republic’s retail networks, though digital releases constitute primary distribution focus for roster artists. Platform relationships managed through Republic include editorial playlist access, algorithmic optimization support, and content strategy coordination, with secondary roster artists receiving baseline UMG services without dedicated label-managed playlist pitching campaigns documented in artist testimonials.

Artist Development Experiences

Chxrry described creative autonomy in her signing experience, stating the label “wanted me to find my own world and figure out how I want to look and sound without any pressure” for her debut project. She received touring support placements and active playlist promotion within one year of signing, demonstrating targeted development investment for select artists. Belly maintains value to the label through extensive songwriting contributions, with six co-writing credits on The Weeknd’s Beauty Behind the Madness and additional credits across major releases, positioning him as production asset beyond solo performance metrics.

Black Atlass departed after four years, with community documentation describing complete absence of promotional infrastructure. One detailed assessment noted: “Why doesn’t Black Atlass get any promotions? Whoever is managing Black Atlass’ promotions or social media is failing. He is extremely talented but there’s no build up or anything.” Multiple sources described releases appearing “out of nowhere without any hype or teasing” and albums receiving zero streaming playlist pitching despite quality production. His 2024 Infinite album generated minimal streams despite community assessment as “his best work,” with promotional abandonment cited as primary factor.

88GLAM departed in June 2020 after three years, stating “no bad blood” but citing desire for creative independence following removal from After Hours tour lineup and label websites without explanation. Community perception suggests resource reallocation prioritizing The Weeknd releases created limited support availability for secondary roster development. Pattern across departures emphasizes promotional and A&R support gaps rather than creative control disputes or contractual conflicts, indicating operational structure prioritizing founder releases over systematic roster development.

Business Model

The label operates traditional recording contracts focusing on master recordings while SALXCO management handles separate career direction, creating dual-entity structure where label and management functions coexist under unified leadership. For The Weeknd specifically, the 2022 expansion integrated publishing administration through UMPG and merchandise management through Bravado alongside existing Republic Records distribution, demonstrating sophisticated multi-rights coordination. Secondary artists appear to receive standard recording agreements without documented 360 deal structures claiming touring, merchandise, or publishing percentages beyond master recording rights.

This model provides creative autonomy for artists developing independent capacity while offering minimal systematic A&R intervention. Wassim Slaiby articulated management philosophy emphasizing artist entrepreneurship: “I don’t expect an artist to come to me and have their shit organized – that’s what I’m here for… I expect an artist to come to me with a vision.” The approach favors artists with established fanbases and clear creative direction over traditional development-focused label infrastructure requiring active guidance and resource investment for emerging talent.

Roster Stability

Four active artists maintain releases through the label: The Weeknd (founder), NAV (signed 2016), Belly (signed 2015), and Chxrry (signed 2022). Retention analysis shows two documented departures from peak roster size: 88GLAM (2017-2020) and Black Atlass (2018-2022), both citing promotional limitations rather than creative disputes. The departures occurred following periods where initial momentum stalled despite quality releases, suggesting resource allocation challenges when multiple artists require simultaneous promotional support.

Chxrry represents the first female artist signing in the label’s history, receiving touring placements and active promotion within her first year that contrasts with Black Atlass’s experience during overlapping timeframe. The differential treatment suggests selective investment strategies where specific artists receive targeted development resources while others access primarily distribution infrastructure without systematic promotional support. Current roster maintains stability with consistent release schedules across all four artists through 2024-2025 period.