Veteran music executive Alex Wilhelm, armed with a passion for independent artists and a remarkable ear for talent, is the founder of 16 Entertainment. Alex launched his journey in the music industry from the confines of his bedroom at the young age of 22. His trailblazing venture, Crazed Hits, established in early 2008, became the most influential A&R music blog, transforming the way unsigned artists were discovered.

With no former experience in the music industry, Alex courageously delved into the deep ends of the internet to bring forth unique, unsigned artists to the limelight through Crazed Hits. This bold venture swiftly rose to be the nexus for record labels and publishing companies, aiding them in their quest to find the world's most exciting, unsigned talent. Astonishingly, Alex's Crazed Hits was the launchpad for over 120 artists, catapulting them into successful major record deals and publishing contracts.

The roster of artists discovered by Alex reads like a who's who of the music industry. Legends such as Drake, The Weeknd, Imagine Dragons, Nicki Minaj, and many others were featured on Crazed Hits, serving as stepping stones in their prosperous careers. His eclectic taste in music also led him to discover the stirring track "If I Were a Boy," penned by Toby Gad and BC Jean, which eventually graced the powerful vocal cords of international superstar, Beyoncé, becoming a global sensation.

Acknowledging his substantial contribution to the music industry, the Recording Academy extended an invitation to Alex to serve on the prestigious Grammy Awards Committee when he was just 24. Fueled by his success, Alex relocated to Los Angeles in 2012, where he stepped into the role of Director of A&R at the legendary Warner Records.

While at Warner, Alex continued his mission of unearthing world-class talents, signing multi-platinum selling artists such as Passenger and Bebe Rexha, and collaborating with renowned artists like Jason Derulo. His relentless drive and ambition led him to Capitol Records in 2014. As the Senior Director of A&R, Alex was instrumental in signing international sensation Calum Scott, whose platinum-selling debut album, "Only Human," has amassed over 6 billion streams to date.

In 2017, Alex's talent led him to join Atlantic Records/APG, where he was promoted to VP of A&R. During his tenure, Alex spearheaded the A&R Research Department and served as the lead consultant at Warner Music Group for Sodatone, an innovative machine-learning and AI-driven A&R data platform. During his time at APG, the label’s roster included NBA Youngboy, Ava Max, Charlie Puth, Alec Benjamin, Kevin Gates, Kehlani, Don Toliver, and Sabrina Claudio.

In 2021, Alex made the decision to step away from Atlantic Records and APG to co-found his own company, 48 Hours Entertainment, before eventually establishing 16 Entertainment. This significant milestone was followed by his inclusion on Billboard's esteemed “40 under 40” and “Indie Power Players” lists, highlighting his contributions to the music industry. Today, Alex Wilhelm continues his mission of empowering independent artists, bridging the gap between undiscovered talent and the world stage.