To paraphrase a German Eurodance outfit by the name of Snap!: They’ve got the power.
(A Note For Snap! Fans: That’s where the Snap! talk ends. Rhythm will not be a dancer in this particular news item.)
Billboard have revealed their annual Power 100 rankings and they’ve placed Universal Music Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge at the top of their list. The publication plunked the 54-year-old Brit on the cover to mark his coronation and he shares that valuable slice of magazine real estate with two artists he’s shepherding: Kanye West and Lana Del Rey.
“Lucian has such an extensive knowledge of music history, yet his eye is always on the future,”; Del Rey tells Billboard. “As artists, we’re lucky he’s at the helm.“
The “world’s most powerful record executive”; wasn’t shy about trumpeting the success of his corporation.
“The industry broke five new artists in 2014, and we broke four of them,”; said Grainge. He was making reference to the commercial triumphs of Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea, 5 Seconds of Summer and Sam Smith.
Finishing in the #2 position on Billboard“s Power 200 is Live Nation President Michael Rapino. Azoff MSG Entertainment chairman Irving Azoff earns the #3 spot, Sony/ATV head honcho Martin Bandier scores fourth place and the Top 5 is rounded out by Interscope and Beats co-founder Jimmy Iovine.