DUO TO RULE ISLAND

Imran Majid, left, and Justin Eshak debate their plans for the next six months before taking over Island Records on 1/1.

Universal Music Group has selected a pair of A&R execs to run Island Records: Imran Majid and Justin Eshak. They start on New Year’s Day.

Appointed co-CEOs, the duo comes over from Columbia Records, where they were co-heads of A&R. The two met in 2004 while doing A&R for Republic Records. They are also highly regarded for their long-running stint as a comedy duo on the vaudeville circuit, where their routine “I don’t hear a single… what?” became the stuff of legend.

“Island Records has a long, successful track record of discovering, nurturing and breaking some of the most iconic artists in the world,” said their new boss, UMG Chairman & CEO Sir Lucian Grainge. “With a well-earned reputation as creative A&R executives, marketers and strategists, Imran and Justin are progressive, modern record executives who will harness Island’s DNA as they navigate the label into the future.”

They will be based at Island’s headquarters in New York.

Started in Jamaica 62 years ago, Island is currently home to Shawn Mendes, Demi Lovato, Bon Jovi, Nick Jonas and Jessie Reyez.

We had Majid & Eshak on our Bingo card—what do we win?