Michael Goldberg is a highly respected music executive, artist manager, and executive producer whose career has been defined by an enduring commitment to artist discovery, creative development, and the cultivation of distinctive musical voices. For the past 18 years, Goldberg has helped lead the A&R and creative efforts of legendary producer Rick Rubin’s American Recordings, working at the intersection of recorded music, publishing, artist management, and creative production.
Alongside his longtime business partner Isaac Heymann, Goldberg co-created American Songs Publishing, an artist-focused publishing division that has played an instrumental role in identifying, signing, and developing some of contemporary music’s most influential and boundary-pushing talent. Their collective discoveries and development work span an exceptional range of genres and creative movements, including Run the Jewels, Kaytranada, Turnstile, BROCKHAMPTON, Freddie Gibbs, Jean Dawson, Charley Crockett, Colter Wall, Marcus King, and Julia Wolf.
As part of Rick Rubin’s in-house A&R team, Goldberg has contributed to the creative development and production processes surrounding projects by acclaimed artists including Tyler Childers, The Strokes, and beabadoobee, among numerous others. His work reflects an artist-first philosophy that prioritizes originality, long-term creative growth, and meaningful relationships over conventional industry formulas.
Goldberg’s influence also extends into the broader entertainment landscape. Together with Heymann, he served as an executive producer of Showtime’s Shangri-La, the acclaimed documentary series exploring Rick Rubin’s creative philosophy, artistic collaborations, and unconventional approach to music production. The series offers an intimate look inside Rubin’s celebrated Malibu recording studio, a creative environment Goldberg and Heymann have helped operate, manage, and book for the past 15 years.
Throughout his career, Goldberg has developed a reputation for recognizing exceptional talent across musical boundaries and helping artists navigate the evolving relationship between creativity and commerce. His experience encompasses the full spectrum of modern artist development, from early discovery and publishing partnerships to recording projects, management, and multimedia production.
At a time when the global music business is experiencing unprecedented technological and cultural transformation, Goldberg continues to champion the fundamental importance of artistic individuality, creative freedom, and authentic collaboration. His work at American Recordings and American Songs Publishing reflects a sustained dedication to nurturing original voices and creating the conditions in which exceptional artists can build enduring careers.