Columbia Records executives fear Beyoncé‘s new album, “4,” could be a dud after she refused to return to the studio to re-record new tracks, sources say.
“They’re very nervous about Beyoncé’s new record,” an industry insider told us. “It doesn’t have the hit songs that her fans are used to. They asked her to make changes, but she said no.”
Bracing for the worst, Columbia suits are strategizing in case of slower sales and have had “quiet discussions” about the reunion of Destiny’s Child.
“Beyoncé’s career has stalled a bit,” a source told us. “Columbia seems to think they can get some mileage out of a comeback record with all of the girls.” Another source tells us Destiny’s Child could start recording together as early as October, with a suggested album title “Family Reunion.”
But Kelly Rowland might not be eager to join forces again. Our source said, “She has her own solo career now, why would she want to be singing back up for Beyoncé?”
A Columbia rep told us, “All I know is that the record came in . . . Nothing was ever discussed to change it.” Beyoncé’s rep said, “All of this is completely untrue. All of it.” Rowland’s rep didn’t get back to us.
Meanwhile, Columbia’s parent company Sony Music, under new leadership of ex-Universal honcho Doug Morris, will be consolidating. Insiders say Sony honchos are in discussions to dump Jive Records, the label that signed Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears. One of the most successful music labels, Jive was purchased for close to $3 billion in 2002.
Now, Peter Edge is poised to take over Sony’s RCA label that will absorb many of Jive’s artists — but staff layoffs are still expected in July. “X-Factor” judge L.A. Reid jumped from Island Def Jam last week to revitalize Sony’s Epic Records as chairman.
Sources say Sony plans to transfer Jive’s Tom Carrabba to Epic to work under Reid and control his legendary spending. A Sony rep declined to comment.