business
How Def Jam’s Marisa Pizarro Found a New ‘Healing’ Purpose in Supporting the AAPI Community
The Billboard 2020 Women in Music top executive found herself and the rest of UTOPIAA switching gears to address the AAPI community’s needs. One way they sought to accomplish this was by organizing an AAPI Anti-Violence Town Hall to address the increased hate crimes and violence. The town hall, which was scheduled on March 17 after weeks of planning, happened to come just one day after three shootings in Atlanta-based spas killed eight people, six of whom were Asian American women. “We literally had [the town hall] scheduled for weeks, and then Tuesday happened, and we were in shock,” Pizarro tells Billboard. “The way that Universal stepped up was like, ‘OK, what do you guys need right now?’ And it was crazy that we had that plan...
Sony Music Acquires Top Brazilian Indie Label Som Livre For $255 Million
Founded in 1969 by music producer João Araújo, Som Livre initially focused on releasing soundtracks for Globo’s soap operas and continued to specialize in compilations. A decade ago, the label shifted its strategy to developing and managing artists and became the largest producer of music in Brazil, where local music represents almost 70% of total consumption. Today, the label is home to more than 80 artists, including massive sertanejo act Jorge & Mateus, forró star Wesley Safadão and Latin Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Maria Gadú. Som Livre artists had five out of the top 10 songs in Brazil in 2020, according to the IFPI 2021 Global Music Report. They included Henrique and Juliano’s “Liberdade Provisória,” the No. 1 streaming track in Brazil in 2020. With the acquisition, Sony b...
New Live Music Platform ¡LatinUp! Offers ‘Cutting-Edge’ & ‘Innovative’ Content For Latinos: Exclusive
¡LatinUp! is a free streaming channel created by Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN), Amazon Music LAT!N, and Twitch. Cardenas Marketing Network (CMN), Amazon Music LAT!N, and Twitch have teamed up for the launch of the new content platform ¡LatinUp!, Billboard can exclusively announce today (April 1). The free streaming channel, which is marketed as a “premier live music destination to elevate Latin music, culture, and voices,” will offer music fans bilingual content including interviews and live performances of genres such as urban, pop, regional Mexican, and more, via Twitch. “What sets ¡LatinUp! apart is the cutting-edge and innovative real-time engagement opportunities on the Twitch platform between artists and fans globally,” Erik Bankston, head of branded entertainment, CMN, tells Bill...
The Deals: MOD SUN Signs With Big Noise, ADA Pairs With Billy Mann
Big Noise is a record label, publishing and media company offering artists the opportunity to develop and transform their artistry. The company manages artists across various genres like hip-hop, alternative and pop. Warner Music Group’s ADA Worldwide announced a partnership with Billy Mann and Benton James for their new label icons+giants. Mann, who is a Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, entrepreneur and artist manager and James, an A&R executive and artist manager, will combine their digital marketing and A&R track record with ADA’s global influence, resources and connected artist services. “On behalf of everyone at ADA and Warner Music, we welcome Billy and Benton and the icons+giants team to the ADA family,” said Eliah Seton, president of independent music and ...
The Weeknd’s First NFT Drop Will Feature New Music and Limited-Edition Artwork
According to a statement announcing the NFT drop, the campaign will kick off with an open edition flash sale of three distinct visual pieces of art, each accompanied by a filtered snippet of an unnamed new song. An unlimited amount of these works will be available for a limited time, followed by a 24-hour auction of “an exclusive 1-of-1 piece of art” tracked by a second, full new song, which will be unfiltered. The winner of the second auction will have an exclusive on the song, which will not be released on any other platforms in the future. “Blockchain is democratizing an industry that has historically been kept shut by the gatekeepers. I’ve always been looking for ways to innovate for fans and shift this archaic music biz and seeing NFT’s allowing creators to be seen and heard mor...
Endeavor Files to Go Public (Again)
The company’s representation business (including talent agency WME, modeling agency IMG and production label Endeavor Content) generated 36 percent of its revenue in 2019. Endeavor’s events and experiences division (comprised of hospitality firm On Location Experiences and the IMG Academy, among other properties) generated 43 percent of revenue that year. And its sports properties (mixed martial arts league UFC, Professional Bull Riders and Euroleague Basketball) comprised 20 percent of 2019 revenue. “As challenging a year as 2020 was, it underscored the strength, creativity, and resilience of our people who mobilized time and time again in the face of overwhelming odds,” wrote CEO Emanuel in a letter included in the filing, adding: “As the global pandemic unf...
Grammy Museum to Salute Blue Note Records to Mark Jazz Appreciation Month
Other programs in April will feature veteran artists Richie Furay, Tower of Power and Marilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr. The latter couple won six Grammys as part of the Fifth Dimension and an additional award on their own with “You Don’t Have to Be a Star (to Be in My Show),” a No. 1 hit on the Hot 100 in 1977. Here is the Grammy Museum’s April schedule for Collection:Live. All programs feature interviews and/or performances: April 8Celebrating Jazz Appreciation MonthEmmet CohenJulian Lage April 22The Beat FarmersRichie FurayT Bear aka Richard T BearTower of Power April 29Adam Ezra GroupMarilyn McCoo & Billy Davis Jr.Michigander Spotlight Saturdays Series takeover by Elektra Music Group: April 3 – Chloe MoriondoApril 10 – LivingstonApril 17 – Brynn CartelliApr...
The Players Behind Justin Bieber’s ‘Peaches’: See the Full Credits
Artists:Main Artist – Justin BieberFeatured Artist – Daniel CaesarFeatured Artist – Giveon Songwriters:Composer Lyricist – Aaron SimmondsComposer Lyricist – Andrew WotmanComposer Lyricist – Ashton SimmondsComposer Lyricist – Bernard HarveyComposer Lyricist – Felisha KingComposer Lyricist – Giveon Dezmann EvansComposer Lyricist – Justin BieberComposer Lyricist – Keavan YazdaniComposer Lyricist – Louis BellComposer Lyricist – Luis Manuel Martinez JrComposer Lyricist – Matthew Sean Leon Producers:Producer – HARVProducer – Shndo Production Team:Vocal Producer – Andrew WattVocal Producer – Josh Gudwin Engineers:Assistant Mixer – Heidi WangAsst. Recording Engineer – Ryan LytleM...
Spotify Introduces New Personalized Mixes Based on Artists, Genres & Decades
Spotify has introduced “Spotify Mixes,” a new family of personalized playlists based on users’ favorite artists, genres and decades which begin rolling out to both free and premium global users today (March 31). The new playlists, which were first teased at Spotify’s virtual “Stream On” event last month, are inspired by Daily Mix, which Spotify says is its most popular personalized playlist among users. Now, Spotify is adding three new mix categories: Artist Mix, Genre Mix and Decade Mix. Each mix category will include several playlists which are “rooted in familiarity,” according to Spotify’s blog post announcement, “meaning that you won’t just hear your favorite artists, but your favorite songs from those artists.” However...
Dua Lipa, Celeste & More Female Artists Land 2021 Brit Award Nominations: Full List
Lipa received three Brit nods this year, which put her in a five-way tie for the lead, along with the aforementioned Arlo Parks and Celeste; a male artist, Joel Corry, and a group, Young T & Bugsey. Lipa is the only artist nominated for both the top album and single award. Lipa could be headed for her second win for British single. She is nominated this year with “Physical.” She won two years ago for “One Kiss,” a collab with Calvin Harris. If she wins, she’ll join Adele as the only female artist to win twice in the category. Another of this year’s nominees, Harry Styles, could also be headed for his second win in the category. He is nominated for “Watermelon Sugar.” As part of One Direction, he won in 2012 for “What Makes You Beautiful.” If he wins, he would join Robbie Williams as th...
Virgin Music Label and Artists Services Launches In Australia
The team Down Under “has a genuine passion for partnering with and servicing the best and most innovative independent artists and labels from around the world,” he adds. Joining Janes at Virgin Music Australia are former Caroline Australia colleagues Sam Cross and Ella Symons, who switch over to the positions of Senior Label Manager (both were Label Relations and Marketing Managers at Caroline), while ex-Caroline label coordinator Claire Tate shifts into the newly-created role as marketing and audience manager. Also, Lachlan Duthie joins as label coordinator, and Juliette Younger and Jodie Grinsted are named media and promotions managers. With the new team in place, enthuses Janes, “we are energized for our biggest year yet, and I cannot wait for this new chapter to begin.” That new chapte...
Australia’s Recording Industry Posts Growth During Pandemic
Again, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music and the myriad streaming brands powered the market, posting total growth of 14% in 2020, for income of A$362 million ($275 million). If there’s one sour note to be gleaned from the numbers, it’s the slowing rate of growth for subscription services, which had raced to 30% growth in 2019. Vinyl albums are another bright point, spinning A$29 million ($22 million) in sales, up 32% versus the previous year. Sometime in 2021, the vinyl market will overtake the CD business, once a powerhouse format that’s now worth just 5.6% of the total market. Digital single and album sales continue to trend down, shrinking by 27% year-on-year. Downloads now represent just 6% of the total market. ARIA’s trade results were reported with no fanfare, and were oversh...
