Polygram exec. demoted after racial statement; Motown chairman receives historic appointment

Jet, Dec 1, 1997

A top PolyGram executive, who suggested in a court deposition that if record companies were prevented from hiring people with criminal records. no Blacks would be working in the music industry, has been demoted for making the racial remarks.

Eric Kronfeld, president and chief operating officer of PolyGram's domestic music division, was one of several top executives ordered to testify two months ago in connection with a lawsuit filed against PolyGram's Island Records by the group Dru Hill, which is seeking to terminate its contract.

When Kronfeld was asked in court why the company allowed an Island employee with a criminal record to be hired, he responded: "If every African-American male in the United States was disqualified from pursuing a livelihood, in any way, shape or form, because of a prior criminal record then there would be no, or virtually no, African-American employees in our society or in our industry."

PolyGram dismissed Kronfeld as a member of the corporation's worldwide management board after he made the statement.

The lawsuit filed by the platinum-selling quartet Dru Hill stems from an altercation at an Atlanta nightclub that involves Hiriam Hicks, president of Island's Black music division, and the group's manager, Keith Ingram, and attorney, Londell McMillan. Allegedly, Ingram was assaulted by Hiriam Hicks and his brother, Joshua Hicks, a bodyguard, assaulted both Ingram and McMillan.

While in court, allegations about Joshua Hickst criminal record were raised, according to sources. Attorneys asked Kronfeld if he was aware of Joshua Hicks' rap sheet, which they said included nearly a dozen arrests for drug and assault violations over a 10-year period. Attorneys asked Kronfeld whether it was appropriate to allow an employee with a criminal record to conduct business for the firm, sources said. It was in response to this question that Kronfeld made the remark.

Kronfeld reportedly apologized for the remark in a letter to McMillan. PolyGram spokeswoman Dawn Bridges told the Los Angeles Times, "Eric Kronfeld made a statement with which we strongly disagree. But that statement does not reflect his views. During the seven years he has been at PolyGram, there is no evidence in word or deed of racist behavior on his part."

The comment spurred a meeting between PolyGram officials and The Rainbow/PUSH Coalition's Wall Street Project, which included Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. and Jamir Couch. As a result of the meeting Clarence Avant, chairman of Motown Records, aPolyGram subsidiary, was appointed to the International Management Board. He is the first Black to serve on the board.