Ben Cook says he wanted to honour a musical hero but he is sorry costume was offensive
Ben Cook, a key figure in the success of Ed Sheeran and one of
British music’s most powerful figures, has stepped down as the president of Atlantic Records in the
UK after an investigation into an “offensive” Run-DMC costume he wore at a party.
Cook, who was in charge for 12 years at Atlantic where he gave Sheeran his first record contract and also signed Stormzy, announced he would be leaving the company after making “a terrible mistake” seven years ago, when he attended a birthday party dressed as one of the
New York rappers.