Quinn Coleman, a chief label executive, DJ and son of former BET chef Debra Lee and Randy Coleman, died suddenly on Sunday (Aug. 16) at the age of 31.
At present, Coleman’s cause of death remains unknown.
Quinn was “a loving son, brother, cousin and friend, a passionate DJ and A&R performer with a bright future ahead of him,” read a statement from a representative of Debra Lee. “Debra and her family are devastated by passing on Quinn and asking for privacy and respect when they mourn together.”
For more than two years, Coleman served as senior director of A&R at Capitol Records, based in Los Angeles, where he signed with the band Brasstracks, whose debut album is due out this week for release.
Previously, he worked with Warner Bros. Records as A&R manager and as marketing coordinator, and with Sirius XM and VH1 before that.
In 2007, he co-founded the concert production agency DC to BC, and was a popular club DJ, performing under the name Spicoli.
Tribute to Coleman is pouring in from all over the music industry.
“We are all devastated to learn of the untimely passing of our colleague and friend, Quinn Coleman,” read a statement from Capitol Records President Jeff Vaughn about Coleman’s passing. “He will be greatly missed. We offer our deepest condolences to Quinn’s family and loved ones at this very difficult time.”
Brasstracks have dedicated their upcoming album, Golden ticket, from Friday (August 21), to Coleman.
“Quinn’s positivity and passion was infectious, he made everyone around him feel good and always felt more like a friend than A&R,” Brasstracks posted on her social media pages. “He really believed in us and worked so hard on this project with us. We were the first act he signed to Capitol and we were so proud to work with him. Quinn was family. ”
Producer and songwriter Kenny Beats remembers Coleman as “a legendary person, DJ, A&R, friend and brother.”
