Music Industry Mogul Steve Rifkind Signs New Three-Year Deal With Universal

With new releases by Akon, Asher Roth, Melanie Fiona, Ray J. and more, Steve Rifkind will have is hands full in 2011.

via Billboard.biz

On the heels of yesterday's announcement that Universal Republic's Monte and Avery Lipman had both re-signed new long-term contracts with UMG comes word that SRC Records CEO Steve Rifkind will also remain at Universal for the near future.

"Yes, it's true I just signed with universal for another 3 years," Rifkind tweeted on January 5. "It's time that we get to work."

A pioneer and seasoned tastemaker in the world of hip-hop, Rifkind started SRC (Street Records Corporation), which is distributed by Universal Motown, in 2002, the same year Sony shuttered Loud Records, the label he founded in 1992 that was home to Wu Tang Clan, Three 6 Mafia and Xzibit.

SRC saw a string of successes, including Akon's 2006 album Konvicted, which has sold over three million copies, and Asher Roth's 2009 single, "I Love College," which reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million downloads. Among the label's more recent signings is R&B singer, reality star and brother to Brandy, Ray J, whose new album "Radiation 2," produced by Rodney Jerkins, is scheduled for release in February.

Spose: 'I'm Awesome' Rapper Signs With Universal Republic

via the Portalnd Phoenix

A few weeks ago, we marveled at the reality of Portland's Top 40 radio station, WJBQ, playing a song by local rapper Spose called "I'm Awesome," an ironic, self-deprecating piece of pure hilarious ear candy. Sure, it fit the format, except for that fact that, well, it's pretty hard for a local to be considered "Top 40," which sort of implies you've got a top-40 record on your hands. Now, however, Spose may very well get that opportunity. Last week he signed a record deal with Universal Republic records, a label that knows how to break hits. Just ask Owl City or Cobie Caillat or Tori Amos.

For Ryan Peters, who's probably put in equal time at local hip-hop open mics developing his Spose persona and schlepping lobster rolls at Barnacle Billy's in Ogunquit, it's a dream come true that he's not letting get to his head. "I've had the whole Spose vision in my head since I was 16," says Peters, who'll be 25 in July, "and if I can just purvey that for a national audience and build a garage studio in my driveway and crank out albums, that's what I want to do. I want to be able to work full-time doing music. I want to wake up every morning and have my job be making music. I've got that job right now, and it's up to me to maintain that job for the rest of my life."

WCYY's Mark Curdo, who gave Spose's "I'm Awesome" its first commercial radio spins and who has helped Peters find legal representation and other advice as he evaluated the deal with Universal, says the news of Spose's signing is a shot in the arm for Portland as a whole. "But it always comes with that feeling of, 'Let's put on our seatbelts,'" Curdo cautions. "With the music industry, no matter how confident you are, you just don't know. He's going to get a shot. If it doesn't hit, it is what it is."

Read the full article here:
Portland Phoenix - The most famous rapper from Wells signs with Universal

Lucian Grainge: Meet The New Boss (Universal Music Worldwide)

via Time Magazine

New York will have to get used to (Lucian) Grainge this summer when the 49-year-old takes over as head of Universal Music worldwide, the largest record company on the planet with a market share of nearly 29% and such acts in its stable as U2, Lady Gaga, Eminem and Amy Winehouse. Grainge has been groomed for the role for several years and says his fingers will remain close to the light switch. "It will depend if they have any hits or not," he tells TIME.

Paul McGuinness, the manager of U2, probably Universal's biggest single act, has worked with Grainge for decades. "Making it in the United States is the biggest challenge of all for any British talent in the music business. He will need all his intelligence and skill to pull it off," he says. At a time when many major acts are breaking away from Universal, U2 has stayed loyal to the label, in part because Grainge has earned the respect of the band. "Lucian's advantage is that he has got a strong musical record of his own, so his opinion on a song, as well as business, is taken seriously," McGuinness says.

In 1986, Grainge joined Polygram's songwriting division and gradually moved up the ranks at the company, which would later become Universal following a merger with MCA. Eventually, under the tutelage of Doug Morris, the Universal chief executive he'll be replacing, Grainge rose to run the company's U.K. headquarters and then its international operations. As EMI has faltered in recent years, he has become a key force behind helping British acts break into the U.S. market, most notably, the troubled (Amy) Winehouse.

Grainge's plans for his new position remain somewhat of a mystery. His approach emphasizes artist relations at a time when other companies would rather talk about formulating an effective digital-distribution strategy to combat music piracy. It's not that Grainge doesn't care about this issue — indeed, he wants the U.S. to become tougher on piracy. He says, however, that there is "no platinum-tipped magic bullet" to solve the problem. One thing that will help: forming a coalition of music, film and publishing companies to lobby both Congress and Internet service providers to enact tougher sanctions against music pirates. "English-speaking content has most to lose [from file-sharing]," he says.

Read the full article here:
Time Magazine - Will Universal Music's New Boss Keep the Hits Coming?

Bun B Jumps Off Asylum, Heads For Universal Music's (Independent) Fontana

Before the end of last year, Ron Spaulding was promoted to President at Fontana (Universal Music Group's Independent Distribution company). Mr. Spaulding is no stranger to hip hop. He was one of the main lynchpins at West Coast hip hop label Priority Records back in the 90's and after that Executive Vice President and General Manager at Asylum (Bun B's now former label). Mr. Spaulding just acquired the ICP label Psychopathic Records early this month. Fellow Texan Trae Tha Truth runs his label through Fontana, as well. To confirm Bun B's choice, all fingers are pointing to Fontana for hip hop artists to go as their method for music distribution. Read on.

via XXL

Looks like fans are going to have to wait a couple more months for Bun B’s new album Trill O.G. to hit stores. The Southern rap vet recently told XXLMag.com that he’s switching label homes.

“We’re gonna be moving from the Warner Bros. system to the Universal system,” he told XXL.

The UGK rapper will now be going through Fontana, which is a subsidiary of the Universal Music Group. “[This new situation] works better for me,” Bun continued. “I work better in the small system. When you’re in the big system it’s really about breaking you and exposing you and I think I’ve been able to build a career as far as just associating myself. We’re pretty good with that in-house with Rap-A-Lot. But with Universal we are gonna use their distribution legs and promotional chain, because they do have access that we haven’t been able to have before.”

When asked why he left Asylum, Bun had this to say, “[Asylum] helped me immensely over the last four or five years in my career as far as taking, me, myself and UGK to another level. It’s just that the system in house changed. Todd [Moskowitz] got moved up to a higher position and it doesn’t give me as much of an opportunity to be hand on hand on a lot of stuff.”

The Port Arthur, Texas rep has already recorded a lot of material for the follow-up to 2008’s II Trill, including tracks with Drake, Jamie Foxx, Young Jeezy, Trey Songz and DJ Premier, among others. Yet, now as he awaits the paperwork to be finalized, he can work on more music for his upcoming disc.

“It gives me time to work with people that I thought I was gonna miss, like Pharrell,” he shared. “Pharrell and I have been trying to get together for this album but we’ve been having scheduling conflicts, which actually just opened up a nice window for us to record. And it also gives me a chance to finish up recording with Premier. We was supposed to do two, but I only got one done. We were worried we weren’t gonna get the second one done but we got time to get that done. It’s also given me another chance to do another one with Drake and fine tune that whole situation.”

There was one collaboration that Bun remained tight lipped about but promised it would turn a lot of heads. “I got a song that’s just kinda crazy,” he said. “All I can tell you is that it’s a legendary song; literally it’s three legends on this song. Two of them is hip-hop and one of them is a cultural icon.”

L.A. Reid Soon To Be Under Universal Music Group New CEO's Watchful Eye

via New York Post

Now that Lucian Grainge has officially been promoted to CEO of Universal Music Group, Island Def Jam leader Antonio L.A. Reid is going to be under increasing pressure to score some hits and rein in his "me-first" attitude.

As expected, Vivendi confirmed yesterday that Grainge will take over for Doug Morris at the industry's largest label, effective Jan. 1. The transition begins in earnest when Grainge moves from London in July for a six-month co-CEO setup with Morris.

While Reid has enjoyed a level of security and autonomy under Morris' leadership, more than a half-dozen sources inside or close to UMG told The Post that Grainge wants to see more hits, better allocation of capital to artists, and less self-promotion from Reid.

"All of the divisions are going to be put under a microscope when Grainge arrives in New York," said one UMG insider. "L.A. likes to flaunt himself -- and since he's not doing that great lately, he's going to get looked at especially hard."

Reid is in the middle of a cold streak, with a number of releases not living up to expectations, most notably the latest albums from Rihanna and Mariah Carey.

Rihanna's "Rated R" has sold just 2.5 million albums worldwide while her last album, "Good Girl Gone Bad," sold 2.6 million in the US alone, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

Another UMG source noted that Reid spent millions on an ill-fated attempt to transform Nashville singer Jessie James into a pop star.

Reid also has had the embarrassment of watching Jay-Z score one of the biggest hits of his career with "Blueprint 3," after leaving Island Def Jam, and having his internal counterpart, Jimmy Iovine of Interscope Records, develop Lady Gaga into one of music's brightest new stars after she languished for years under Reid.

Reid supporters dismiss the idea that he's gone cold, noting that Ludacris currently has the country's No. 1 single, while legacy act Bon Jovi and new act Justin Bieber have sold more than 3 million albums combined.

"L.A. Reid has continued to break acts and have great success with our established artists," said a rep for Island Def Jam.

Beyond his roster's performance, sources said Reid's "executive as star" mentality doesn't sit well with Grainge.

They suggested that Grainge might seek to put stricter controls on Reid's penchant for showcasing his wealth with private parties and extracurricular activities like filming his son's sweet 16 party for MTV and shopping a reality-TV show to cable outlets.

Sources said Reid's recent publishing deal between his Hitco Publishing Co. and EMI instead of UMG hints at his declining stature.

While some say UMG's publishing arm passed because it didn't want to give Reid equity, others said it was a signal that UMG has cooled on his side projects and has lost faith in his ability to produce new hits.

Vevo NYC Launch Party With Video & Photos

The Vevo launch party was held at Skylight Studios in New York City last night (Dec.8) for the new online music video service.
50 Cent, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, Corrine Bailey Rae, Mariah Carey, John Legend, Rihanna and others were on hand for the event.

PHOTOS from the Vevo video service launch event at Skylight Studio in NYC:
Getty Images 1
Getty Images 2
Wire Image 1
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Rex Features
Patrick McMullan
Globe Photos 1
Globe Photos 2

Latest articles about Vevo:
New York Times - Music Industry Companies Opening Video Site
Associated Press - EMI joins Universal-backed music video site Vevo

VEVO website click here

Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris To Bring In Successor For His Post

via Business Week

Universal Music Group CEO Doug Morris is quietly making plans to bring in a successor to help run the world’s largest music company , BusinessWeek has been told. Sometime this summer, Universal intends to elevate its international chief Lucian Grainge to take over Morris’s CEO slot for the company whose artists include U2, Elton John and Mariah Carey. Morris, who will be 71 in November, is expected to remain as chairman and has told intimates that he does not intend to retire.

Details are still be worked out, according to those with knowledge of the arrangement, but it is being portrayed internally as a promotion for the 49-year old Grainge, who is highly regarded by executives at Universal’s Vivendi parent company. When they signed Morris to a four-year contract extension last year, Vivendi top executives encouraged their long-time Universal chief to bring in a successor, BusinessWeek has been told. Morris will continue to work on key projects for Universal, but will turn over day-to-day operations. Morris expects to maintain his seat on the Vivendi management board, which includes top executives from the French conglomerate’s business units.

Read the article here:
Business Week - Universal Music CEO Morris To Bring in Successor

Play N Skillz Discuss New Ventures, Music Production And More

Drake signs with Lil Wayne label Young Money thru Universal Republic

It has been speculated for months as to who would sign the hotly touted emerging rap phenom known as Drake. Now all bets are off as Young Money, the boutique label of rap superstar Lil Wayne, has sealed the deal. In an arrangement with Cash Money/Universal Republic, Drake will now be able to conquer the world.

Read more about the signing announcement HERE

(article courtesy of billboard.biz)