Comparing the first quarter of 2015 with last year’s Q1 is confusing, to say the least. UMG’s East Coast labels would be reshuffled on April 1, 2014, the first day of Q2, adding Island to Republic and Motown to Capitol, while shifting Def Jam to standalone status. It wasn’t until the beginning of 2015 that we started counting Christian sales, benefiting Capitol and Sony Nashville. And in February, RED became part of Columbia. So the topography has changed significantly. What hasn’t changed is the ongoing strength of last year’s top three companies in both TEA and frontline: Republic, Columbia and Capitol. What’s more, Interscope and RCA, which were Top 5 labels in 2013, have retaken those positions this year.
THE FRONTLINERS
THE NUMBERS
RIHANNA, GAGA LEAD OSCAR SONG NOMS
David Byrne and Diane Warren have noms as well. (1/24a)
HITS' BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPECIAL: ALL THE SQUARES GO HOME
Sisters doin' it for themselves (1/28a)
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HIP-HOP AT 50
The astonishing first half-century of a world-rocking genre.
THE NEXT BIG PLAYER
in the catalog game is...
INDIE BREAKOUTS
More independent music rises at the DSPs.
THE GOP CONGRESS
At last, America can focus 24/7 on Hunter Biden's laptop.
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