Developing Picture: Ron Perry

As our Q4 New & Developing Artists special hits your desks, it seems apt to give a shout-out to Columbia topper Ron Perry, whose own prodigious talent for artist development has brought us breakout of the year Ella Langley, not to mention Malcolm Todd, Dominic Fike, Slayyyter, Megan Moroney and other sizzling arrivals, all of whom may be headed for Grammy love. Meanwhile, he’s witnessing new career milestones for Harry Styles, Tame Impala and ROSALÍA as he pilots the most successful label of the last 75 years. Perry, who’s never happier than when he’s posted up in front of a mixing board, is the new-school edition of the classic record man. Though he’d sure like to hit pause on this HITS shout-out.