Rap Breaks Through to Majors with the Added Clout Labels Charge
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ICD 08120 *************3- D I G I T 908 000817973 4401 8807 MAR83XHZ MONTY GREENLY APT A 3740 ELM LONG BEACH CA 90837 February 20, 19881$3.95 (U.S.), $5 (CAN.) VOLUME 100 NO. 8 THE INTERNATIONAL NEWSWEEKLY OF MUSIC AND HOME ENTERTAINMENT Via Multifaceted Deals Indies Bemoan Unreported Indie Sound Blossoms Airplay By Radio Stations Rap Breaks Through To Majors with the added clout labels charge. For indies, which lack of distribution deals and artist sign- In addition, This story was prepared by Jean BY NELSON GEORGE them, rap'sra the promotional punch of the ma- ings. of majoror labels behind p Rosenbluth and Kim Freeman. expect a showdown with jors, the problem is proving particu- NEW YORK Rap music is finally The multiplatinum -sales level proponents Boys and black radio over its reluctance to YORK Although indepen- larly insidious. (See editorial, page playing in the major leagues. Once achieved by the Beastie NEW /Co- give exposure to rap outside of labels have made progress get- 9.) marketed and promoted almost ex- L.L. Cool J through a Def Jam dent cited by weekend- dance -party program - ting airplay at top 40 radio, they "I have a good perspective from elusively by independents, rap has lumbia distribution deal is been brought into the major -label many as the reason once -reluctant ming. have yet to mas- both sides because I do promotion deals have been ter completely the (Continued on page 75) mainstream through a recent wave labels decided to enter the market. Distribution signed between several New York - A SPECIAL trick of getting /hip -hop labels and ma- that airplay re- based rap BILLBOARD Cold Chillin' and Warner Bros., ported Priority and Atlantic, and Up- For years, the F irst ANALYSIS Music Profits Top $200 Fili! town and MCA. RCA, through Jive, major labels have fj/ 87 achieve dramatic growth in net in- ly a watershed for us and for the has signed seven rap acts in the last been frustrated Jive enjoyed two reason BY MARK MEHLER come for 1987 and the fourth quay- music industry as a whole," corn- 18 months, after by radio stations that for one albums with Whodini on reluctant to add to NEW YORK Warner Communica- ter of last year. ments WCI senior vice president platinum or another are Arista. The first signing to MCA's records that are tions Inc.'s recorded music and mu- For the 12 months ended Dec. 31, Geoffrey Holmes. their playlists some Uni label is Eric B. & airplay. Because sic publishing division has become the WCI Music Group had operating For the fourth quarter, music op- reactivated getting significant of Rakim, whose "Paid In Full" album playlists are used to compile the Hot the first record company to report income of $213.9 million, a 42% hike erations posted operating income up 51% from $43.4 mil- on 4th & B'way just went gold. 100, the records in question don't earnings of $200 million in a single from the previous annual high of $65.5 million, on page 82) (Continued on page 82) chart as highly as they deserve, the year, helping the parent corporation $150.6 million in 1986. "It is certain- (Continued ADVERTISEMENTS Kasem May Exit Management In Weekly `Top 40' Leveraged Buy As Talks Stall Of Musicland This was prepared by Mark by Kim story This story was prepared Mehler and Geoff Mayfield. Freeman and Peter J. Ludwig NEW YORK Musicland Group ABC NEW YORK /Watermark Inc., the nation's largest specialty a replacement" says it is "seeking music and video retailer, has agreed for Casey Kasem, host of its -share lever- Kasem has in principle to a $36-a "American Top 40." by a composed pro- aged buyout group been the voice of the syndicated of senior company management and The gram for its entire 18-year run. the investment firm of Donaldson, show is the highest -billing, most Lufkin & Jenrette. The cash value longform music widely listened -to of the planned transaction is $410 program in the U.S. It is aired on broad- million. 475 stations domestically and Musicland, which operates 616 in cities elsewhere cast several stores, is the second major publicly alburr , seven around the world. "'Couldn't Care Less' ... Already a top ten request, looks like After 10 No. 1 hits, three gold albums, one platinum Rick, Scaggs held music /video retail chain to at- Kasem's contract with ABC will another lit or The Force M.D.'s!" -Tony Grey, Program CMA Awards, six ACM Awards and three Grammy's, new CBS tempt to go private in the past few expire in January. Starting renewal Director WF KS New York, The Force M.D.'s continue to break is "Comm n' Home To Stay" on his back -to- basics Records /Epic album. The new single, "(Angel On My Mind) That's months. Late last year, Wherehouse negotiations a year in advance is not hearts and climb charts with "Couldn't Care Less," TB 909 ... The sensucus and shimmering ballad from the hit -packed album Why I'm Walkin'" has the same timeless sound that Ricky Scaggs Entertainment, the 202 -store Cali - uncommon for a talent of Kasem's that has gone on "Touch and Go," TB 25631 ... Watch for their national tour originally brought back into country music ... and (Continued on page 78) (Continued on page 82) with Melrsa Morgan to kick off late in March. On Tommy Boy. to become the country sound of the '80s. (40623). O00 0 N 00 rs- ADVERTISEMENT www.americanradiohistory.com T BONE BURNETT THE TALKING ANIMALS An album that speaks for itself. T Bone Burnett has produced and performed on critically - acclaimed albums by Los Lobos, Elvis Costello, The BoDeans, Roy Orbison, Marshall Crenshaw and more. Now, for his Columbia debut, T Bone Burnett has created an album unlike anything you've heard him write, produce or perform until this moment. Now hear "The Talking Animals." Featuring "The Killer Moon." And watch for T Bone's Talking Animals Tour starting in March. Explicit new music by T Bone Burnett. On Columbia Records, Cassettes and Compact Discs. T H E T A L K I N G A N I M A L S FC 40792 Produced by David Rhodes and T Bone Burnett. Manager: Ellen Darst /Mambo Management, Inc. "Columbia," 4! are trademarks n of CBS Inc. ? 1988 CBS Records Inc. 17r4 www.americanradiohistory.com __I___.l_ ____ _MIMI _____ RCA/Columbia Is Home For Tri -Star ______ aiuboard - ENI son -_ - - Move Seen As Big Boost For Vid Unit --------w - - _- -_ the future of Tri -Star's fledgling eo role seems unclear. BY AL STEWART home video division, which was Officials at RCA /Columbia were NEW YORK In a move seen as formed more than a year ago with elated by the decision, which will VOLUME 100 NO. 8 February 20, 1988 greatly bolstering the fortunes of former MGM /UA Home Video ex- furnish them with a number of hit RCA /Columbia Pictures Home Vid- ecutive Saul Melnick at the helm. titles and presumably add to their A CALL FOR MORE BACK- ANNOUNCING eo, Columbia Pictures Entertain- Now that CPE-Tri -Star's parent marketing clout. The first three Tri- in the RCA/ Star titles to be released under the In this week's Commentary, Don lenner, Arista's senior VP of marketing ment has announced that features company and a partner made by its Tri -Star Pictures divi- Columbia Home Video venture distribution deal are "The Princi- and promotion, urges radio programmers and DJs to step up the practice - sion will be released on home video has decided to release product pal," "Suspect," and "Like Father what they've just of back -announcing. Not telling listeners whom or by RCA /Columbia. through the more established RCA/ Like Son." heard is not only frustrating for audiences, says lenner, it ultimately hurts The decision calls into question Columbia video arm, Tri -Star's vid- "In my opinion, when you look at station ratings and record sales. Page 9 RCA /Columbia Home Video 12 or 18 months down the road, you will Meyer Makes Airwaves For MCA see the No. 1 home video company," of In the first installment of an occasional series of record -promotion pro- says Rob Blattner, president RCA /Columbia. "The steady flow Meyer reveals the solid commitment to ra- files, MCA promo chief Steve `E.T.' Coming Home, But of product from Tri -Star and all our dio that has consistently rocketed MCA artists onto the Hot 100 Singles other acquisitions will give us a tre- chart. Radio editor Kim Freeman reports. Page 18 mendous advantage." He's Still A Mystery In addition to serving as presi- TAKEOVER DEALS: THE ARTISTS' STAKE Group, acknowledges that official dent of Tri -Star Home Video, Mel - The furor surrounding Sony's takeover of CBS Records seems to be set- BY JIM McCULLAUGH disclosure was partly triggered by nick will now serve on the eight -per- tling down and optimism setting in, but new questions arise concerning LOS ANGELES What price a recent New York Times article son RCA /Columbia board of direc- E.T. in the financial status of artists signed to the newly managed label. Guest "? that suggested MCA would re- tors representing CPE's interest film this year. The agree- the venture. columnist Michael Sukin of the New York law firm Berger & Steingut ex- This is the primary unanswered lease the question following confirmation ment between the film's produc- Melnick had moved from the East plores possible changes in the offing for CBS signees.