SPENCER-SMITH IS ISLAND-BOUND

Word is that, barely a month into their tenure at Island, the new leadership team of Imran Majid and Justin Eshak have inked Lauren Spencer-Smith, the most hotly pursued act in the biz, in partnership with Republic. Spencer-Smith's track “Fingers Crossed” has been a streaming giant, with north of 68m streams worldwide on Spotify alone.

It’s a major coup for the freshly installed Majid and Eshak, who made their bones in A&R; inking the David Ehrlich-managed Spencer-Smith, who has been chased by practically every major, not only puts points on the board but indicates that Island’s co-CEOs can compete with anyone to close top talent. It's also an indicator that Island, historically a vital and culturally vibrant music destination, is back in the game.