"Having big artists means a lot of the opportunities are incoming, and although that is wonderful, what really drives me is moving things and opening doors for the up and comers."
The group may not perform again with its full-seven member lineup until 2025 — putting a lot of weight on solo projects and new bands like Seventeen and NewJeans.
The longtime industry player founded the New York retail chain Musical Maze in the 1970s before going on to launch the distribution companies Impact and Big Daddy.
Also this week: BMG names a vp of A&R, recorded music, Ryman Hospitality has a new CEO and more.
The move came last month, before West's recent string of anti-Semitic comments and his "White Lives matter" shirt controversy.
Also this week: Driift buys Dreamstage, Atlantic Records partners with Record Store Day for an emerging artist series and more.
Veteran executive Kayode Badmus-Wellington has a message for fellow A&Rs: "You and the consumer are one in the same."
"Growth requires investment, not just maintenance," says CEO Mike O'Neill.
"It's like the Robinhood of talent," comments Martini, "and it's game-changing."
Back on campus, in classrooms and at internships, the next generation of artists and executives is learning how to lead the music industry.
