Top executives at Sony Music are bracing for more embarrassing e-mails to leak as part of the Sony hack after their boss — Sony Entertainment CEO Michael Lynton — called to offer a “blanket apology” in advance of any details that come out, sources exclusively tell Page Six.
Industry sources further tell us Sony Music brass are particularly concerned about details of artists’ contracts, including live performance riders, being made public in a new wave of released e-mails.
Sony Music’s remained relatively unscathed in the hacking scandal that’s consumed its movie division, stemming from the Kim Jong-un assassination comedy “The Interview.” But recently leaked e-mails reflected that Sony Music and Lynton were working on a “top-secret project” late last year to potentially sell off music publishing division Sony/ATV. Lynton and Sony/ATV head Martin Bandier denied last week the division’s for sale.
But then, “Lynton called a number of department heads within Sony, including Marty and [Sony Music CEO] Doug Morris to give a blanket apology in advance for whatever else comes out,” a source told Page Six.
Another insider added that Sony Music execs are now “really stressed their stuff is going to get leaked,” including, “information on salaries and artists’ recording contracts.” “There’s definitely nervous energy,” the source said.
But a source close to Sony insisted that Lynton “did not make a blanket apology . . . He called [only] two top executives about a couple of very specific issues.”
Artists signed to Sony labels include Beyoncé, David Bowie, Meghan Trainor, Barbra Streisand, Adele and Bruce Springsteen. One other hot artist who’s made headlines is Epic Records rapper Bobby Shmurda, who was signed last summer but was then hit with drug and firearm charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.
Page Six previously reported that decisions to renew Bandier and Morris’ contracts will happen this year and, a source said, the music group houses “three or four of the highest-paid executives in all of Sony.” A Sony rep had no comment.