NEAR TRUTHS: THREE BLIND MICE

Static and interference continue to surround the rumor about a superstar act's possibly seeking a change in management, making it nearly impossible to determine whether the buzz has a basis in fact. In any case, the artist in question is believed to also be signed to a record deal with the management company, making it a slightly stickier situation—it’s easier to get out of a management deal than a recording contract. Are meetings underway?

SEE HOW THEY RUN: Talk has become deafening about a handful of indie labels, management companies and hybrid music shops believed to be acquisition targets for big-money players. While the outfits having their tires kicked are wildly different in terms of genre specialization and internal culture, they have all excelled by virtually every metric at signing, developing and branding their artists. What sorts of prices will they command? It’s early days, but the numbers are impressively big.

HYBE has shown itself to be among the most aggressive players on this landscape. Bang Si-Hyuk, Scooter Braun and company, after their purchase of QC, have made it clear they’re in shopping mode, and they are wielding a very large checkbook. The same can certainly be said for Firebird, thought to be assessing further acquisitions to complement the company’s stake in Red Light (headed by Coran Capshaw, often in the conversation for GOAT) and Michael McDonald’s Mick Management. Are they also seeking to expand their footprint in the Latin market after their deal for Lex Borrero’s Neon16? How will the potential acquisitions fit into the respective cultures of these companies?

NIPPER IS BEST IN SHOW: Peter Edge’s RCA is turning up the temperature, adding a new streaming biggie by Tate McRae—now in Spotify’s global Top 5—and a solid reunion track by *NSYNC (created for the new Trolls movie) to the momentum of the giant SZA project, Doja Cat’s multiple heaters and ongoing momentum with Latto and Miguel. The label continues to break new acts and is smashing the ball at radio. Its persistence in developing McRae, SZA, Doja and others speaks to Edge and team’s farsighted A&R commitment to moving beyond the data fixation of the last few years, a stance other labels are also trying to pursue.