Kanye West is no longer making sweet music with Irving Azoff.
As we reported on June 9, the rapper and high-powered music manager, who is a close friend of the Kardashian family, were butting heads, according to multiple music-industry sources close to the situation.
Azoff had been recruited by West, as recommended by his girlfriend’s family, to advise him on his career.
But an in-the-know source tells us as of this past week, the executive chairman of Live Nation and CEO of Ticketmaster, who was “acting as an adviser for [West],” is no longer assisting the “Watch the Throne” artist. “Things officially came to a head,” the source adds.
That’s not to say West won’t have any direction. The rapper may have decided against continuing to use Azoff, who is a manager and adviser, but the source says he picked up another well-known name in the music industry on Monday: Creative Artists Agency’s Cara Lewis .
The music agent previously represented the rapper at William Morris Agency, along with Rihanna,
Common and the Roots. But when she left the company after 23 years once her contract ran out in December, West and Lewis went their separate ways.
The 35-year-old has been without a specific agent since, although the insider says Azoff minimally filled some of those duties as an adviser.
West’s loyalty to the well-respected Lewis comes as no surprise. After her split with WME, the social medialoving lyricist tweeted that he “fired” the agency after the music exec left, adding: “I love Cara Lewis :).”
Even less of a surprise, however, was his split with the highly influential Azoff. As we reported, the 64-year-old music mega-mogul and West were having difficulty working together.
A second insider says it was an easy separation between the pair as there was “no contract signed.”
It could be a relief for Azoff to no longer have West in his stable, but we’re not so sure how happy it will make his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, and her mother, Kris Jenner. Kardashian refers to the businessman as “Uncle Azoff” and her godfather. Jenner is close with Azoff’s wife.
A spokesman for West did not return a request for comment. But Lewis confirmed her re-involvement with West: “Kanye is a true innovator and visionary. Our relationship spans nearly a decade, and I am honored to be working with him again.”
Larry Solters, a spokesman for Azoff, claims the mogul and musician “never had or have any formal working relationship,” although we pointed out West was recently on a Live Nation tour with Jay-Z run by Azoff’s company.
But the spokesman added, “As has always been the case, Mr. Azoff is available to Mr. West for any advice or consultation.”
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/gatecrasher/a-wrap-kanye-west-irving-azoff-split-article-1.1117304#ixzz216eYavvg
No comments:
Post a Comment