T H E L A T E S T N E S I nternationaW A N D V E W S F R O M A R O U N D T H E W O R L D SMEJ Takes New A &R Focus Evora Top Winner At 1st CEO Aims To Keep Market Leadership S. Africa's KORAs BY STEVE McCLURE Maruyama is also a director of SMEJ Oct. 1 also saw Sony's release of a BY DIANE COETZER International, the South African subsidiary Antinos Management, whose DCT greatest -hits compilation, which Broadcasting Corp. (responsible for the TOKYO -The appointment of Shigeo best -known artist is Tetsuya Komuro. led the group and its management, MS JOHANNESBURG- Cesaria Evora, KORAs' television broadcast), MCM Maruyama to the new post of repre- In the last few years, Komuro has Artist Products, to seek a court injunc- the veteran singer from the Western Africa, the BBC World Service, and sentative director /CEO at Japan's achieved unprecedented success with tion forcing Sony to halt the release - African territory of , domi- Radio France Internationale. biggest record label, Sony Music independent label Avex as a freelance an unprecedented move in the usually nated this year's All Africa Organizers say the prime motivation Entertainment Japan (SMEJ), is being producer and as a member of the top- non -litigious Japanese music industry. Music Awards, held Oct. 4 at South is to provide a continental awards cere- seen here as a product of Sony's deter- selling group globe. He is still signed to The injunction has not been granted, Africa's Sun City resort. mony to showcase Africa's diverse musi- mination to emphasize the creative side Epic /Sony as a solo artist. however, and the "Best Of Dreams Billed as the `African version of the cal talent. An estimated 350 million of its business fol- The appointment of Maruyama as Come True" has shipped 2.3 million Grammy Awards," the KORA Awards viewers around the world watched the lowing the recent CEO could be the harbinger of other copies so far. (named after a musical instrument tra- winners in 12 categories be honored. SONY defection of its big- changes in SMEJ's executive lineup "Sony is clearly entitled to sell the ditionally associated with African BMG- signed Evora won the Judges gest act, pop trio when the company announces its annu- album based upon SMEJ's own rights praise singers) is in its second year of Merit Award against competition from Dreams Come True al personnel reshuffle in January, and in compliance with the contract existence. The show is supported by Patience Dabany of and South (DCT) (Billboard, Aug. 23). according to industry sources. (Continued on next page) various partners, including Canal Africa's own Lady- The appointment comes at a time smith Black Mam- when the label's previously unques- bazo. Evora also tioned dominance of the Japanese indus- scooped up the best try shows signs of slipping due to what BMI/PRS Salutes Sting, U.K. Hitmakers artist from West some in the industry see as a lack of Africa award and leadership and vision. BY THOM DUFFY Seal's "Don't Cry" was honored this the best African As CEO, Maruyama will rank No. 2 year, following "Kiss From A Rose" in album honor for in the SMEJ hierarchy. President Ryo- LONDON -Some of the inspiration for 1996. Both hits are published by Perfect "Cabo Verde," in a kichi Kunugi will report to Maruyama, the 1983 Police hit "Every Breath You Songs Ltd. category that includ- EVORA who in turn will report to chairman Take" may belong to the spirit of Another pop classic recognized for 4 ed roots -music Shugo Matsuo. Bond -James Bond. million performances was "Let It Be" artists like Papa Wemba and . Maruyama, who previously headed "I wrote it in Jamaica, in the house by Paul McCartney and John Lennon Other award winners were Ismael Lo, the Epic /Sony label, was also named that belonged to Ian Fleming, who (Northern Songs). Attending the dinner honored as best African male artist as vice chairman of money- spinner Sony wrote James Bond," says Sting. "Maybe was Julian Lennon. well as for best music video; Cheikh Lô, Computer Entertainment, where he there was some sort of spy thing hap- Songs recognized for 3 million per- most promising artist; and Angélique had been VP pening in my head, I don't know" formances were "Baker Street," writ- Kidjo, best African female artist. "While Mr. Maruyama will oversee Sting offered his recollections Oct. 9 Sting with BMI president /CEO Frances ten by Gerry Rafferty and published by Ernest Coovi Adjovi, the award the whole management of the company, at this year's BMI /Performing Right Preston. PolyGram Music; "Stranger On The show's executive producer, described he will be especially responsible for Society (PRS) awards dinner, where Shore," written by Acker Bilk and the ceremony as "an entire evening A &R and marketing issues," a Sony "Every Breath You Take" was recog- Robert Mellin and published by EMI devoted to the recognition of those spokesman says. nized for achieving the milestone of 4 that two -thirds of the world's rain for- Music; and "Goodbye Yellow Brick whose lives are dedicated to African The appointment to the CEO post, million performances in the U.S. The est has been destroyed in the last 10 Road," written by Elton John and music and its diaspora." which took effect Oct. 1, puts Maruya- song is published by EMI Music/Mag- years -so that shows how effective I Bernie Taupin and published by Poly - To add weight to this claim, guest ma back in the spotlight at Sony Music's netic Publishing. Sting and Trudie am. If we've done anything, we've just Gram Music. appearances were made by some of the Japanese operation. Until June 1996 he Styler also received BMI's humanitari- spoken our minds, that's all." Writers who received an award for 2 African continent's most respected per- was one of SMEJ's two deputy presi- an award for their work to protect the The annual awards dinner at the million performances included Lennon formers: Kidjo, Kanda Bonga Man, dents, along with Hiroshi Inagaki, but Amazonian rain forest in Brazil. Dorchester Hotel recognizes those and McCartney for "Come Together," Lourdes van Dunem, Wemba, and Yous- since then he has kept a relatively low "The couple we honor tonight, despite members of the U.K.'s PRS whose "If I Fell," and "Got To Get You Into My sou N'Dour. A clutch of heavyweight profile as VP of Sony corporate strate- the demands of busy careers and a repertoire is represented by BMI in the Life," all published by Northern Songs; South African performers -including gy think tank Axcel Inc., as well as young family, saw a problem that, with- U.S. Stephen Bishop for "Separate Lives," (widely hailed as retaining his position as a director of out a quick and global response, could For the second consecutive year, Seal published by Hit & Run Music; Phil the queen of African pop), Sibongile SMEJ. Inagaki remains a director of affect every living creature on earth," received the Robert Musel Award for Collins and Lamont Dozier for "Two Khumalo (who earlier this year won SMEJ. said Frances Preston, president/CEO writing the song that received the Hearts," published by EMI Music and several awards at the FNB South "Maruyama has worked in the cre- of BMI, presenting the award to Sting, largest number of performances the Hit & Run Music; and Ray Davies, who African Music Awards), and Ringo ative field all along," says one industry who responded modestly. previous year. The award is named for attended to receive honors for "You Madlingozi -added a local flavor to the observer, noting that in contrast, Kunu- "I'm overcome with embarrassment BMI's longtime U.K. consultant, who Really Got Me," published by Edward evening. In a scoop for the organizers, gi's career has been in sales and admin- really because I don't deserve this," he established ties with the PRS four Kassner Music. the evening's finale was the first public istration. said. "I read in the paper this morning decades ago. (Continued on page 64) (Continued on page 83)

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60 BILLBOARD OCTOBER 25, 1997 www.americanradiohistory.com