Perez Hilton Confirms Warner Music Imprint: “I Have an Ear”
Perez Hilton’s record label under the Warner Music Group finally seems like its about to become a reality, EW reports, nearly 18 months after word of Hilton’s imprint first surfaced. “I have an ear, which is really important in the music world — to be able to hear a hit and to be able to know who has a good song or not — I’m more than just an A&R person. I’m also a marketing person. I’m also a manager,” Hilton tells EW. Today on Perez Hilton’s site, the self-proclaimed “Queen of All Media” hinted at his upcoming record label and linked readers to all his past music recommendations.
Hilton will reportedly announce his first signee later this month. In the past, Hilton has rallied around and helped jettison into the public eye artists like Mika, Robyn, Chester French and many more buzz artists that have frequented his annual SXSW parties. In EW, Hilton also takes credit for helping push Rolling Stone‘s Hot Diva Lady Gaga into the spotlight. “I saw the potential in her from the very beginning before any one else,” Hilton said. Looking back at the personal under-the-radar play list Perez gave Rolling Stone in late 2007, his predictions haven’t been entirely accurate: Operator Please and Ultraviolet still haven’t broken out in the States, but Eric Hutchinson has slowly been building a buzz in the singer-songwriter niche.
Rock Daily first examined the pros and cons of a Perez Hilton record label in February 2008. While Perez has the built-in audience and ear for talent that make him a worthy candidate to lead an imprint, he has a larger audience of detractors than supporters and more beefs than the entire hip-hop universe combined. In the last month alone, Hilton has loudly bickered with John Mayer (over Twitter), Pete Wentz, and Will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas, with the latter feud ended in a confrontation resulting in Hilton being punched in the face by the BEP’s road manager.
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