As early as next week Universal Music Group, Motown’s parent, will tap Ethiopia Habtemariam to head the label, people close to the matter confirm to TheWrap.
A top executive from Universal’s music-publishing arm, Habtemariam (photo below) in early 2010 was responsible for wooing Justin Bieber into a global publishing deal. Similarly, the appointment of an uber-artistic leader is looming at Def Jam, also owned by Universal Music Group, though no final candidate has yet been chosen. The world’s largest music company is said to be narrowing a list of veteran hip-hop talent scouts, managers and label execs that include Chris Hicks, currently Def Jam’s executive VP, as well as outsiders Kevin Liles, Irv Gotti, “Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua and Chris Lighty.
“The ultimate goal is to get the labels working again,” a top Universal insider told TheWrap.
Also read: Sylvia Rhone Seen Headed for the Exit at Universal Motown At both Motown and Def Jam, the changes come amid wrenching deliberations.
How to do so was a matter of extensive debate over artistic direction among the incoming Habtemariam and Universal’s top corporate and divisional executives, according to knowledgeable insiders and outsiders.
For Def Jam the questions were different:
Harvey
Did not think things Had gotten Dismal for Def Jam.