Tommy Boy Records boss attacks MySpace Music

Tom Silverman, head of Tommy Boy Records, has joined other independent labels in criticising the new MySpace Music service.

MySpace Music launched in the USA last week (September 24), but attracted criticism from independent label figures after it failed to sign a deal to promote their artists from certain independent labels.

Making reference to the way MySpace has become synonymous with breaking new, independent artists, Silverman told the Los Angeles Times the move was like "our lovers were cheating on us".

Silverman, whose Tommy Boy Records is home to Biz Markie, Coolio and Handsome Boy Modeling School, claimed that the service would not be popular with users.

"MySpace has been floundering lately already, and people have been moving toward Facebook and so on," he said. "This is going to accelerate that exodus."

NME.COM reported last week (September 25) how
Martin Mills, chairman of the Beggars Group of record labels, condemned the service's lack music from independent labels as "disappointing".

So far all the major record labels - Universal, Warner Music, EMI and Sony BMG - have signed up to MySpace Music.