Prior to assuming the Chairmanship of Columbia Records, Ron Perry was, among other things, a hot indie publisher, a multimillionaire, a guitar-bashing rocker and a cartoon.

Not many U.S. label CEOs are willing—let alone eager—to jump on a plane and fly halfway around the world to try to close an act, but that is a key part of Perry’s M.O. He made multiple trips to New Zealand, for example, to ink Lorde to SONGS, and earned the trust not only of the precocious teen but also her mom. Since he took the reins at Columbia, Perry has traveled to Seoul to do the U.S. deal for K-Pop sensations BTS before the other majors, and he’s flown to Stockholm, outmaneuvering a field of other contenders for the reunited Swedish House Mafia. He didn't have to travel as far to ink Lil Nas X, who quickly delivered the biggest song in the universe.

“Ron is the quintessential modern music man—he’s going full speed 24/7,” says Ron Laffitte, whose Patriot Management roster includes Swedish House Mafia and their Columbia label mate Pharrell. “And when he wants an act, there’s no stopping him.”

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