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BY I.B. BAD, LOS ANGELES
again? It’s believed Harleston, having been focused on UMG biz affairs for some time, is strongly invested in the process and relishing the opportunity to put his imprint on black culture.
MOSCO MULE: With multiple successes in the new marketplace, Todd Moscowitz is undoubtedly becoming a factor once again. His Interscope-distribbed Alamo imprint has racked up big streaming numbers recently with blackbear, Trevor Daniel and Rod Wave, and these hits reflect his 20 or so years in the trenches of indie and hip-hop discovery, which is now the core of the biz. After playing a crucial role at Def Jam (Lyor called Mosco his “brain”), he set up Atlantic’s state-of- the-art hip-hop business via Asylum, which is still functioning at a high level. While there, he inked Meek Mill and Gucci Mane, among others. After his tenure at 300, where his signings included Young Thug, Fetty Wap and Migos, he told Lyor to piss off. Ultimately, John Janick and Joie Manda made the right deal at the right time, positioning Mosco for a new chapter that has already proved lucrative.
MANAGING EXPECTATIONS: There’s talk that a realignment is imminent at one of the top management companies, as the structure of a longtime relationship is changing. How will this play out as the team begins to develop new strategies? How will this transition affect the superstar clients at the apex of that company?
KORN MAZE: Korn Ferry’s Bill Simon is said to be calling execs and asking about possible candidates to be the next female CEO of the Recording Academy—though the firm is no longer being retained to do so. Word has it the firm is trying to make good on what happened with Deborah Dugan. Grammy organization power players are livid, as they’re still furious about the way the last search played out.
Last time, most of the important women in the business who were approached for the job knew that the job was a trap—and that change wouldn’t be forthcoming. It’s clearly understood by now that any new chief attempting to lead genuine systemic change will face the same obstacles that felled Dugan.
JAY MARCIANO
ROB LIGhT
HITS March 16, 2020