NEAR TRUTHS: OFF AND RUNNING

CONTROL TOWER: Capitol Music Group ruler Michelle Jubelirer has made her first big move since assuming the Tower’s top post, elevating marketing veteran Arjun Pulijal to president. Having been at the company for almost a decade, Jubelirer has a deep understanding of its team, structure and talent.

The relocated Todd Moscowitz, who nabs former Atlantic exec and HITS escapee Juliette Jones as Alamo COO, is in a similar situation in his new Sony locale. Meanwhile, all eyes are on Def Jam’s Tunji Balogun and the Majid/Eshak tandem at Island, who have just arrived at their posts, as they begin their tenures.

CHART CHECK: Speaking of Mosco, he’s knocked one out of the park at the top of 2022 with the one-listen smash “Broadway Girls,” the unlikely duet of Alamo rapper Lil Durk and Big Loud’s Morgan Wallen. Big Loud boss Seth England and partner/President Greg Thompson have put Wallen back on Country radio. The artist’s Dangerous was 2021’s top album and he’s sold out some major arena dates.

“Broadway” has racked up 50m+ U.S. streams without being playlisted anywhere as the boycott continues over Wallen’s use of a racial epithet. One big question remains: Will this streaming monster go to Pop radio, where it could radically expand the brand of both artists when it explodes?

THE INDIE UPTICK: Much buzz on both sides of the drink as Nick Raphael exits as co-president of Capitol U.K. after nearly a decade at the label. Co-Prez Jo Charrington is expected to assume sole leadership. The Nick and Jo Show saw success with Sam Smith, 5 Seconds of Summer, Liam Payne and recent breakout Mae Muller, among others.

Insiders believe that, with all the big money now being invested in music—and the sharp growth of the indie sector—the talented Raphael may be planning to hang up a shingle. Could a move stateside be part of that plan?

Meanwhile, as the first year of Mike Caren’s free agency ends, expect year two to be about artist development. Caren probably has the biggest bankroll of any indie after WMG bought him out of his APG for a princely sum. Caren watchers say he’s now figuring out how to use NFT tech to score another windfall.

The biggest independent record right now is another TikTok breakout, Lauren Spencer-Smith’s “Fingers Crossed” (currently Top 15 at Spotify U.S./Top 20 on the streamery's global chart and trending Top 15 at Apple Music). Canadian Spencer-Smith’s bedroom-pop anthem is a monster that has all the majors Zooming after her. The question looms: Does she have more of these kinds of songs—and the vision to become a career artist? Stay tuned.

DESERT OASIS: With the addition of Harry Styles, Coachella’s 2022 lineup is a remarkably strong card. Styles in particular is a sensational booking; his live show, observers all agree, has acquired truly impressive dimensions. The headlining triumvirate of Styles, Ye and Billie Eilish bridges several divergent audiences, and industryites are heaping praise on festival supremo Paul Tollett, Styles manager Jeff Azoff and their teams.