Spotify’s Troy Carter becomes entertainment adviser to Prince estate

Troy Carter, the former manager of Lady Gaga and now a Spotify executive, has been appointed entertainment adviser for Prince’s estate.

He will continue in his role at Spotify as its Global Head of Creative Services. He joined the streaming service last June as it expanded its move to build bridges with the music industry and appeal to artists.

Comerica Bank, which manages the estate, said, “His considerable music industry experience and expertise will be invaluable as the work of the Prince estate moves forward.

“In light of the confidential nature of estate settlement matters, however, we will have no further comment other than this acknowledgement.”

Carter replaces New York entertainment lawyer Charles Koppelman (who represented Prince between 1996 and 2006) and former music industry executive L. Londell McMillan.

They were appointed to the role by Bremer Trust, which served as special administrator for the estate after the superstar’s sudden death on April 21, 2016 at the age of 57.

Their terms officially ended in November but they were allowed to finish negotiating multi-million deals they had begun before the estate got hit with a $100 million tax bill.

These have included bringing back Prince’s lucrative Warner Music-held catalogue to the major streaming services.

According to Nielsen Music, Prince’s music had 12.67 million streams in the first three days since his music returned to Spotify, Apple Music and others on February 12.

Since last November, as a $100 million tax bill loomed, deals were struck with Universal Music Publishing Group to administer his catalogue worldwide.

This year the Universal tie-up expanded to merchandising with its branding and licensing division Bravado, and to manage Prince’s NPG Records catalogue. There was also a performing rights partnership with Irving Azoff’s Global Music Rights.

Comerica Bank officially took over the administration of the estate on February 1 after Bremer opted not to continue. The estate’s affairs have been complex, as Prince did not leave a will.

44-year-old Carter (pictured left) said in a statement to Variety, “It’s an honor to serve as entertainment advisor to Prince’s estate.

“His music, message and independent thought has been a major influence throughout my career.

“I’m humbled to work with his family and Comerica Bank to advance his musical legacy into the future.”

Whether he’ll adopt any of Koppelman and McMillan’s plans remains to be seen. These included a Prince musical on Broadway, a Cirque de Soleil production similar to Michael Jackson’s, a documentary and increased use of his music in movies.

Carter got his start in Philadelphia, first as a rapper working with DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince, and then as a concert promoter. He later worked as an intern for Puff Daddy’s Bad Boy Records.

This led him to managing Eve. His management company Atom Factory later had clients including Lady Gaga, John Legend, Lindsey Stirling and Meghan Trainor. He closed the company when he joined Spotify.

On June 9, two days after what would have been Prince’s 59th birthday, Warner Music is releasing two albums of unreleased music, a pair of concert films from the Paisley Park vault and the long-awaited deluxe version of Purple Rain.

Warner Bros. Records CEO Cameron Strang said in a statement: “When we make any of Prince’s music available to fans – from the hits to unreleased gems – we are committed to upholding Prince’s high creative standards and we know fans will be thrilled when they hear these albums and see these films.”