B Power Players A BILLBOARD SPECIAL REPORT Faces To Watch 30 Under 30:

Top Young Acts DEEP DISH: BOOSTED BY CHRIS BARBOUR

ASIF AHMED And Executives CHRIS BARBOUR Artist manager U.S. label manager Shmanagement Global Underground The music and entertainment business is driven by num- Los Angeles Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom Birthdate: March 20, 1976 bers chart positions, sales totals, royalty figures and more. Birthdate: Feb. 15, 1975

But the numbers are only a measure of the day -to -day Why we're watching: Asif Ahmed's management client TV on Why we're watching: Barbour, 29, works with several dance /elec- the Radio captured the 2004 Shortlist Music Prize with its work of individuals, from interns to chief executives, who tronic acts, including recent Grammy Award nominee Sasha, Grammy release "Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes" besting projects winner Deep Dish, Danny Howells and UNKLE. comprise this industry. from such competitors as Loretta Lynn, Dizzee Rascal, Franz A 1997 Columbia University graduate who majored in anthropol- Ferdinand and Wilco. Power Players is a new special feature in Billboard ogy, Barbour has linked cultures via successful strategic marketing Ahmed, 28, specializes in bands with commercial and critical partnerships with M- Audio, Armani Exchange, Bacardi and other that highlights the achievements of individuals who drive appeal. "Asif has great taste in music and a lot of integrity," Interscope brands. This proactive approach to promoting music helped Global Records VP of A &R Debbie Southwood -Smith says. "He isn't afraid to the fields of music and entertainment forward through Underground releases like Sasha's "Involver" (2004) and Deep Dish's support artists who are raising the bar, and he has figured out how "Toronto" (2003) at No. 1 on Top their artistic and business vision. debut the Billboard Electronic they can earn a living while staying true to their vision." Ahmed's Albums chart. clients also include Interscope's Yeah Yeah Yeahs. This first Power Players report focuses on those who Separate from his GU duties, Barbour recently launched Elephant TV on the Radio starts work on its second full -length album for Days Management; his first signing is A Touch Recordings arguably have the greatest potential for achievement, the of Class Chicago indie Touch & Go in March, while the band's David Sitek also artist Xavier. plans to produce an album in tribute to This Mortal Coil. youngest members of the business. "Chris is passionate and enthusiastic about this music," Studio Dis- The Yeah Yeah Yeahs are also headed back into the studio, while tribution president Dave Watkins says. "He wants to see the dance/elec- An A&R executive once was asked why record labels so Yeahs singer Karen 0 will bow her clothing and accessory line. tronic culture grow. His management company is a natural extension Plus, Ahmed continues to steer the careers of developing acts Tri- often vied to sign acts as young as possible. Other issues aside, of this." MICHAEL PAOLETIA angle and Whitey, whose debut album will bow on the United he said, in the face of daunting odds, young artists believe Kingdom's 1234 label. MELINDA NEWMAN CIARA they can walk through walls. Of course, so do young execs. Artist SCOTT BAKER- MARFLITT Sho'Nuff -Musicline/LaFace This roll call offers 30 snapshots of noteworthy young /Zomba Manager Atlanta Big Life Management achievers under 30 from the United States and abroad. Birthdate: Oct. 25, 1985 London It includes artists, of course. But it also includes faces to Birthdate: Dec. 22, 1979 Why we're watching: Newcomer Ciara watch in the record business, music publishing, artist is proving that the "crunk & B" sound is a Why we're watching: Scott Baker -Marflitt's success guiding Future - new force reckoned management, record production, retailing, touring and to be with. heads has earned him praise as a young British manager. Ciara, 19, grabbed the brass ring her Management is a sector dominated by older heads, but as a tena- digital entertainment. first time out when her single "Good- cious 25- year -old, Baker -Marflitt is guiding the affairs of one of Billboard writers and editors selected these individuals ies" spent seven weeks at No. 1 on The Britain's most -noted modern rock bands. Billboard Hot 100. Then her debut Tim Parry, joint managing director of Big Life, recalls: "Scott after soliciting suggestions from numerous sources dur- album of the same name was certified contácted my partner Jazz Summers ing our research. platinum -propelled by a second three years ago, saying he wanted to be R &B /pop crossover hit, "1, 2 Step" with a manager and could he have a job. Jazz One question that arose during those discussions was Missy Elliott. said, 'No, but go and find a great band, whether the music industry still attracts the best and the A girl -group stint and a publishing and we'll manage them together.' " deal at the age of 15 preceded the Futúreheads, hailing from the brightest young creative minds, as strongly as it has in singer /songwriter's fruitful pairing with Sho'Nuff chief/producer northeast of England, proved to be that the past. Or has the business downturn led some young Jazze Pha. band. The group is now signed to 679 In 2005, the crunk & B princess will reteam with Elliott on the rap Recordings and winning audiences on talents to look elsewhere for opportunities? queen's forthcoming album. In the meantime, Ciara's third single, both sides of the Atlantic with its self- We welcome your feedback on this question and on the "Oh" featuring Ludacris, rolled out this month, and her first major titled debut. tour gets under way later this year. "Scott is a bright young guy with good inaugural Power Players roster of "30 Under 30." E -mail "Her appeal goes beyond her music," Peppermint Music/Atlanta intuition for what's right for his act," Parry us at billboardspecials @billboard.com.We're listening. manager Rico Brooks says. "She can also entertain, as she shows in her adds. "He's a good people person, and he's videos. Ciara is a female version of Usher; she wins across the board." learning very fast." PAUL SEXTON THOM DUFFY GAIL MITCHELL

BILLBOARD JANUARY29,2005 www.billboard.com www.billboard.biz 15 www.americanradiohistory.com