Quantcast
"We feel that we have an incredibly powerful release schedule that is hitting on all cylinders in all genres of music. We’re very focused and excited. The artists and the music that they’ve delivered are going to make for a massive fourth quarter."
——Steve Berman, Interscope Head of Marketing & Sales

INTERSCOPE IN HEAT

Label Gains Momentum For Q4 Run
Just as the long days of summer start to fade into autumn, Interscope Geffen A&M is keeping the heat on for a run at the top.

The Jimmy Iovine-led label, which is perched in the second spot in the marketshare race behind Columbia, has been gaining momentum with new artists and has an arsenal of established names and even more new acts on the way. The company’s latest triumph comes with this week’s #6 debut for Jadakiss, with 170k buyers laying their lips on the rapper’s disc. The Lox member and Ruff Ryder’s solo debut features DMX, Eve, Timbaland, Snoop Dogg and the Neptunes. It comes on the heels of smash debut albums from D12 and City High, plus a Platinum "Moulin Rouge" ST.

In the radio world, Eve and Gwen Stefani’s duet, "Let Me Blow Ya Mind," has propelled the former’s album to Platinum status and is helping to set up No Doubt’s next album, scheduled for Dec. 18.

U2’s "Stuck in a Moment" single, from the multi-Platinum "All That You Can’t Leave Behind," bagged Most Added honors at Pop last week. Said IGA Head of Marketing & Sales Steve Berman: "We’re excited about where we are, but we’ve only just begun. And somehow this is all helping wipe out Third World debt."

As if that wasn’t enough to keep the promo department jumping, Geffen’s Weezer is now crossing to Pop with "Island in the Sun" and Cold’s "End of the World" is heating up at Active Rock.

And that’s just what’s going on at this second.

Aug. 28 brings Puddle of Mudd, the first release from Fred Durst’s Flawless/Geffen imprint, which is shipping 300k-plus. Lead single "Control" is Top Five on the Active Rock chart. "We’re eager for this record," said Berman.

The major-label debut from Bubba Sparxxx, produced by superstar rap impresario Timbaland, comes Sept. 18 and is the bow from Timbaland’s Beat Club imprint. Lead track "Ugly" has a hilarious video that’s getting play on various outlets.

The soundtrack to "The Wash," a film featuring Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre with Eminem in a cameo, is set for release Sept. 25. Dre is putting together the ST for his Aftermath imprint. It will feature a Dre/Snoop song.

As for the next four months, Berman is understandably excited: "We feel that we have an incredibly powerful release schedule that is hitting on all cylinders in all genres of music. We’re very focused and excited. The artists and the music that they’ve delivered are going to make for a massive fourth quarter. Because everybody knows four quarters make a dollar."

  • Oct. 2 sees the third album from Garbage.
  • Both Smash Mouth and Rob Zombie have releases on Oct. 30. The following week, Enrique Iglesias follows up his Platinum, English-language breakthrough "Enrique" album.
  • Also scheduled for November is No Doubt, the soundtrack to the Muhammad Ali biopic starring Will Smith and "Ruff Ryders Vol. 3."
  • Expect a Sting live album and a remix record from Limp Bizkit in late-November/early-December. Lox/Ruff Ryders member Styles releases a solo LP in December as well.
NEAR TRUTHS: SPRING BLOOMS
Here come the big guns. (3/28a)
THE COUNT: COLDPLAY IS HOT, COUNTRY'S COOKIN' IN THE U.K.
The latest tidbits from the bustling live sector (3/28a)
CITY OF HOPE TAPS MARCIANO FOR TOP HONOR
This year's philanthropic model (3/28a)
TRUST IN THE TOP 20
Hip-hop is no longer hibernating. (3/28a)
UMG BROADENS SPOTIFY OFFERINGS
Sir Lucian and Daniel are in harmony. (3/28a)
THE NEW UMG
Gosh, we hope there are more press releases.
TIKTOK BANNED!
Unless the Senate manages to make this whole thing go away, that is.
THE NEW HUGE COUNTRY ACT
No, not that one.
TRUMP'S CAMPAIGN PLAYLIST
Now 100% unlicensed!
 Email

 First Name

 Last Name

 Company

 Country
CAPTCHA code
Captcha: (type the characters above)