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SIR LUCIAN'S SHOWCASE PACKS IN THE LUMINARIES

Sir Lucian Grainge’s 2018 Artist Showcase—which has become a modern-day Grammy-eve institution, and a scalding-hot ticket—took place for the first time in NYC Saturday afternoon at Spring Studios.

Performers included Luis Fonsi, Julia Michaels, Migos, Kacey Musgraves, 6LACK,Jessie Reyez and Logic with “special guest” Alessia Cara. In attendance were Sam Smith, James Bay, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nas, BJ the Chicago Kid, Daniel Ek, Irving Azoff, Daniel Glass, Rob Light, Nigel Sinclair, Chris Blackwell, Mayor's Office liaison Julie Menin and Christine Vachon.

Among the UMG execs on hand were Michele Anthony, Boyd Muir, Jeff Harleston, David Joseph, Jody Gerson, Steve Barnett, Michelle Jubelirer, Monte Lipman, Avery Lipman, Paul Rosenberg, David Massey, Mike Dungan, Danny Bennett and Steve Berman.

Fonsi opened the show with his mega-smash “Despacito,” which the RIAA had certified diamond earlier in the day. Migos was up next, a day after the release of Culture II, which will be next week’s runaway #1. Kacey Musgraves previewed material from her upcoming album, Golden Hour. Jessie Reyez’ performance got a standing O. After local hero Nas was presented with the Spotlight Award by the Mayor’s Office for his contributions to the hip-hop community, Grammy nominees 6LACK, Julia Michaels and Logic performed, the latter joined by Alessia Cara.

During the Showcase, Polygram Entertainment announced a pair of intriguing new films: a Roger Ross Williams-directed documentary about the Apollo Theater, and a Todd Haynes-helmed doc about the Velvet Underground, both of which are slated for 2019 releases. Additionally, the Ron Howard-directed documentary Luciano, got a first look; it's targeted for December.

Everyone then returned to their hotel suites to take naps prior to heading to Times Square for Clive's Pre-Grammy shindig.

Let's take a look at some spectacular photo ops, shall we? No, that's cool; finish your mimosa first.

Sir Lucian joins Republic bosses Monte and Avery Lipman and Universal Latin's Jesus Lopez in saluting "Despacito" mastermind Luis Fonsi. A portion of the proceeds from the song will go toward UMG's purchase of the planet Neptune. Later, everyone added together their Power 100 rankings for numerological purposes.

Just after their new album dropped, Quality Control/Motown/Capitol's Migos gathered with Sir LG, Capitol boss Steve Barnett, Motown's Ethiopia Habtemariam and QC's Coach K and Pee. The photo has reportedly been streamed over five million times.


The Knight of UMG welcomes Interscope's Steve Berman and Joie Manda and artist 6LACK, shortly before Sir LG put together a thrilling remix of this photo.


The paparazzi pester Grainge, EVP Michele Anthony, hip-hop icon Nas and Michelle Menin from the NYC Mayor's office.


Grainge invites UMG Nashville chief Mike Dungan and artist Kacey Musgraves to join him in a round of Fireball shots.


Sir Lucian and Sam Smith collaborated on a heartbreaking ballad about the luncheon's potato salad. Capitol chief Barnett and COO Michelle Jubelirer were deeply moved.

Big Machine boss Scott Borchetta lets LG in on the second and third rules of Taylor club, neither of which can be divulged here.

Slim and Birdman of Cash Money pose with LG and the Lipmans. Later, a shipping container brought the week's receipts from streams of the new Drake song.

Sir Grainge promises to give serious consideration to Island chieftain David Massey's request to be named either an Earl or a Baronet.

LG is flanked by Nas and Def Jam's multiple Grammy nominee Logic, who offered to drop a verse each into the next quarterly report.

LG, the Lipmans and Republic Prexy Charlie Walk salute Best New Artist and Song of the Year nominee Julia Michaels. Later, Sir Lucian offered CW a refreshing cocktail courtesy of sponsor Ciroc.

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