Page 19 - Issue 1289

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