The nation’s poor job climate continues to affect hip-hop heads at a growing rate, as Sony laid off recent hire Kyambo “Hip-Hop” Joshua yesterday (1/15).

At least 30 staff members were let go at Sony Global Digital Business and U.S. Sales and RED, according to Billboard.

A former Roc-A-Fella A&R, Joshua was named president of urban music at Sony Columbia in August 2007 and signed Jim Jones and Clipse to the label months later.

With both artists set to drop projects this year, no announcement has been made regarding who will head the urban department in Joshua’s absence. The veteran executive currently co-manages Kanye West and Lil' Wayne through his and partner Gee Roberson’s imprint, Hip-Hop Since 1978. - Clover Hope

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