Lucian Grainge, head of Universal Music Group, has been ranked No 1 in Billboard’s list of the most powerful players in the music industry. Joined on the cover by Universal signees Lana del Rey and Kanye West, the chairman and CEO beat Live Nation president Michael Rapino and Irving Azoff of Azoff MSG Entertainment.
“The industry broke five new artists in 2014, and we broke four of them,” Grainge told Billboard, referring to Iggy Azalea, 5 Seconds of Summer, Ariana Grande and Sam Smith, who each sold more than 1m albums in the US in 2014, according to Nielsen Music. Taylor Swift’s biggest-selling album, the blockbuster 1989, also came out under Grainge’s watch.
Billboard said the placing recognised how Grainge had expanded Universal, last year helping it achieve the second-highest market share since Nielsen began tracking sales in 1991. Universal owns three of the top five labels of 2014: Republic Records, Capitol Music Group and Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “Lucian has such an extensive knowledge of music history,” said Lana del Rey, “yet his eye is always on the future. As artists, we’re lucky he’s at the helm.”
Billboard also noted Grainge’s ability to reassert ownership of artists’ music in the digital realm, “putting copyright owners back on the offence”, to address revenue that is being diverted by streaming services. “Some music execs are good at making the fourth-quarter numbers,” Will.i.am told Billboard, “and some have the ability to fast forward, and bring tomorrow’s music biz closer to today. Lucian does both.”
The 2015 Billboard Power 100 list consists of top executives, digital music industry figures, managers and producers – including Apple’s Jimmy Iovine, who’s crept up five places from last year, Birdman and Ronald “Slim” Williams of Cash Money, Jay Brown of Roc Nation, and LA Reid and Sylvia Rhone of Epic Records.
Unlike last year, when Beyoncé and Jay Z held the top spot, no musicians made the list. The couple, thanks to their innovative methods of releasing music – Jay Z released Magna Carta Holy Grail free to 1 million Samsung mobile users, Beyoncé delivered her self-titled album straight to iTunes with no warning – were the only musicians to make the 2014 list, pushing Grainge to No 2.
Top 5
1. Lucian Grainge, 54, chairman/CEO, Universal Music Group
2. Michael Rapino, 49, president/CEO, Live Nation Entertainment
3. Irving Azoff, 67, chairman/CEO, Azoff MSG Entertainment
4. Martin Bandier, 73, chairman/CEO, Song ATV Music Publishing
5. Jimmy Iovine, 61, executive, Apple
