Business news
Songwriter & ASCAP President Paul Williams Remembers Senator Orrin Hatch as a Champion of Creators
Sometimes there is truth in old sayings like “politics makes strange bedfellows.” That was certainly the case with Senator Orrin G. Hatch, and perhaps many of the music creators and recording artists whose livelihoods he protected and whose work he recognized as important to our culture – even if it wasn’t to his personal taste. Senator Hatch, who died on April 23 at the age of 88, had a certain way of greeting me. “You rascal, Paul,” he’d say with a devilish smile. “Are you behaving yourself?” And I would often reply, especially when I was in his office explaining the challenges we were facing as songwriters and asking for his support. “Yes, I’m behaving, Senator, and I’m grateful that you are in our corner standing with songwriters on this issue.” And he did stand with music creators on ...
Songwriter & ASCAP President Paul Williams Remembers Senator Orrin Hatch as a Champion of Creators
Sometimes there is truth in old sayings like “politics makes strange bedfellows.” That was certainly the case with Senator Orrin G. Hatch, and perhaps many of the music creators and recording artists whose livelihoods he protected and whose work he recognized as important to our culture – even if it wasn’t to his personal taste. Senator Hatch, who died on April 23 at the age of 88, had a certain way of greeting me. “You rascal, Paul,” he’d say with a devilish smile. “Are you behaving yourself?” And I would often reply, especially when I was in his office explaining the challenges we were facing as songwriters and asking for his support. “Yes, I’m behaving, Senator, and I’m grateful that you are in our corner standing with songwriters on this issue.” And he did stand with music creators on ...
Madonna Selling SoCal Mansion for $26M a Year After Buying It From The Weeknd
That didn’t last long. Just a little over a year after buying a nine-bedroom home in Hidden Hills, Calif., from The Weeknd for $19.3 million, Madonna has decided to hoist the residence back onto the market. The music artist has listed the property for $25.995 million — a big jump from what she paid last April — according to the Multiple Listing Service. Located in a guard-gated area set on nearly 3 acres, the estate includes a barn with a newly built gym and dance/Pilates studio, a natural amenity for the perennially fit singer. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news The redwood-dotted property includes the main house and a two-bedroom guest house. It comprises 12,500 square feet of living space with 11 bathrooms, a two-story wall ...
Midem to Return in 2023 After City of Cannes Purchases Brand
The municipality of Cannes has officially purchased the Midem brand from RX France, according to a release from the office of Cannes mayor David Lisnard. The city of Cannes will now host a “new” Midem, slated to take place at the beginning of 2023 at Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. The event will focus on technological innovations and feature concerts throughout the city for residents and visitors. Making Midem an official Cannes event dovetails with the city’s strategy of developing an entire chain of “audiovisual creation” in Cannes. “Organized since 1967 in Cannes, the International Market for Records and Music Publishing [MIDEM] was the largest annual global event devoted to the music scene,” said Lisnard in a statement. “In order to rediscover this emblematic event on the Cannes ...
The Deals: Lostboycrow Plugs Into Nettwerk; Merlin Goes With FLO
Los Angeles indie-pop artist Lostboycrow signed to Nettwerk, which just released his new single “Chewed Up.” His prior releases include the 2016 EP Sigh For Me, 2017 EP trilogy Traveler, 2019 album Santa Fe and 2021 album Valleyheart. Digital music licensing service Merlin struck a partnership with South Korean streaming service FLO that will allow Merlin members to expand their audiences in the country. Users on FLO will now have access to music from Merlin members including Hong Kong-based music distribution and media company Euphoria Media, Latin American online digital distribution company FaroLatino, Brazilian platform Sua Música and California-based punk indie Hopeless Records. Warner Music Nashville and Elektra Music Group signed country singer-songwriter Bailey Zimmerman. According...
Trending Up: Willow Is Everywhere, With Hits Both New and Old — Plus SZA and Muni Long on R&B Radio, ‘Sun and Moon’ & More
Welcome to Billboard Pro’s Trending Up newsletter, where we take a closer look at the songs, artists, curiosities and trends that have caught the music industry’s attention. Some have come out of nowhere, others have taken months to catch on, and all of them could become ubiquitous in the blink of a TikTok clip. This week: A resurrected older hit of Willow’s bumps up against her newer singles (again), Muni Long and SZA help close the gap between streaming and radio in R&B, and yet another 2010s alt-rock song blows up on TikTok. Willow’s Slow-Release, Sped-Up New Hit Willow has quietly become a ubiquitous figure in pop over the past year — popping up on alternative radio with her great 2021 pop-punk album Lately I Feel Everything, in the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 w...
Latin Music US Recorded Revenue Hits Record $886M in 2021: RIAA
Latin music continued its relentless expansion path in the U.S. last year, with recorded revenues reaching $886 million, according to a year-end report released by the RIAA Tuesday (April 12). That’s the highest figure ever for Latin music before adjusting for inflation and marks overall revenue growth of 35% compared to 2020 — far outpacing the 23% growth rate seen in the overall U.S. music market, as previously reported by the RIAA. “With growth of 35% – far surpassing the overall growth rate for recorded music revenues – Latin music is connecting with fans in a historic way,” said RIAA COO Michèle Ballantyne in a statement included in the report. The 2021 numbers mark the sixth consecutive year of double-digit growth in revenue for Latin music, which is defined as music recorded predom...
Distribution, Marketing Company Intercept Music Launches With Method Man’s Support
Intercept Music, a global music marketing and distribution company that describes itself as a revolutionary technology platform, launched an expanded suite of services Tuesday (April 12). Founded by music and tech industry veterans, with hip-hop icon Method Man as a stakeholder, Intercept also claims partnerships with INgrooves, AMPED Distribution, What’s In Store Music, Rocket Songs and Nerve, a banking app for music creators — all of which fuel Intercept’s capabilities and services to its artist and label clients. Targeting indie labels and artists who own their recorded masters, whether they be established or DIY acts, Intercept says it provides a suite of tools that allow rights owners to monetize and market their music. The company charges a fee for clients while promising monthly rev...
IMPALA Launches First-Ever Carbon Calculator for Indie Music Sector
IMPALA, the association for independent music companies in Europe, has teamed with Julie’s Bicycle — an organization that mobilizes the arts to take action on the climate crisis — to launch the first bespoke carbon calculator for the independent music sector. Announced on Tuesday (April 12), the new carbon calculator will help IMPALA members accurately measure their ecological impact and achieve their climate goals. The calculator’s technology is based on Creative Green Tools, developed by Julie’s Bicycle and designed to meet the needs of independent record companies. The calculator is also equipped with a customized layout and help desk support to facilitate carbon accounting. IMPALA members can access the calculator online and also register to join an informative webinar, set for Ap...
Marquetta Moore Joins Penske Media as Head of Talent Curation and Bookings
Marquetta Moore has joined Penske Media Corporation as head of talent curation and bookings across all PMC brands. Moore will initially focus on curating and programming artist talent for PMC’s inaugural LA3C music and culture festival, which is set for Dec. 10 and 11 at Los Angeles State Historic Park. She will also work with PMC brands to secure talent and lead programming for future events and live experiences. “Having the opportunity to curate the talent for LA3C in its launch year is a dream,” Moore said in a statement. “As a long time Angelino, I am passionate about highlighting the incredibly rich and diverse talent of the city and feel so inspired by the mission of the festival. I am also so thrilled to join PMC, working with such world-class and iconic brands.” Brooke Jaffe, ...
Executive Turntable: 10K Names SVP of Biz Development; MRC Live Taps Creative EVPs
Sam Cohen was promoted to senior vp of business development at 10K Projects, where he’ll continue to work with the label’s roster while also looking to expand its partnerships with creators; he’ll additionally focus on the 10K Ventures initiative, which backs early-stage founders that integrate within the music ecosystem. He can be reached at sam@10kprojects.com. Stephen Hill and Rob Bagshaw were both appointed to the role of executive vp of creative at MRC Live & Alternative. Hill will lead creative on all existing tentpole shows (Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Streamy Awards) and select projects in development; Bagshaw will lead creative for new franchises, helping identify formats and shepherd projects from dev...
For the Record: And the Winner Is… Grammycore!
For all the recent controversy surrounding the Grammy Awards, this year the Recording Academy managed to spotlight a significant creator with an urgent message for the American public. And did anyone say anything more urgent than Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy? Not for lack of trying. “We’re here because music serves the world,” said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. in a pre-taped message, “and at the new Recording Academy” – the “new” emphasized with one of those thumb-points politicians do – “we serve music.” For the last half-decade, as the rise of streaming drove lighter, more pop-friendly sounds to the top of the charts, music fans have been griping about the menu the academy has been offering. They have boldly made the case that the Grammys often recognize yesterday’s ...
