entertainment blog
Pete Simmons to Lead A&R at Universal Music Publishing Group in UK
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has announced the promotion of Pete Simmons to head of A&R, UK. He will report to the managing director, Mike McCormack. Simmons is the major publisher’s third new high-level A&R appointment in recent weeks, following news that Jennifer Knoepfle will become evp, co-head of U.S. A&R and David Gray, co-head of U.S. A&R, will also take on duties as UMPG’s Global Creative Group. (The Global Creative Group has been described as a new initiative by the publisher to identify and expand global creative opportunities for its signees). Simmons has been at the company since 2014 when he joined as an A&R scout. Since then, the young A&R has helped sign and develop top talents like Rex Orange County, Tom Misch, Thundercat, Four Tet, Bicep,...
Baby Tate is All Grown Up
Baby Tate is confident and quirky – balancing humility with a healthy ego. Sporting a funky neon green hairdo and eclectic wardrobe, Tate Farris enters the room, and her confident persona is that of a talented force, aware of the star power she has to share with the world. “Music is one of the largest energy transformations and one of the largest ways to communicate feelings with each other,” she explains. “Music is LIFE for me. And I grew up loving music. Music chose me because honestly, there’s nothing else that I could see myself doing.” Farris’ early exposure to the art came thanks to the strong women in her life. She credits her first encounter to her mother, Grammy-nominated songwriter Dionne Farris. Then, thanks to her devoted Christian grandmother, she was singing...
2022 Latin Grammys Nominees: Complete List
Bad Bunny leads the list of nominees for the 2022 Latin Grammys with 10 nominations, including album of the year for his 11-week Billboard 200-topping Un Verano Sin Ti. The Latin Recording Academy announced Tuesday (Sept. 20) the complete list of nominations for their 23rd annual edition of the Latin Grammys, which are set to take place Nov. 17 at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. The Puerto Rican hitmaker is closely followed by Mexican songwriter and producer Edgar Barrera, who scored nine nods, including song of the year and best pop song for “Índigo,” which he co-wrote alongside Camilo. Speaking of Camilo, the Colombian singer-songwriter, who was last year’s big winner, earned six nominations this year. Other top nominees include Rauw Alejandro wit...
EXO’s Lay Zhang to Headline Inaugural MetaMoon Festival
The first-ever MetaMoon Music Festival is set to take over NYC’s Barclays Center on November 26, and the celebration of Asian artistry and culture revealed that EXO‘s Lay Zhang will be headlining the event. Amber Liu of f(x), Chinese urban/soul singer Tia Ray and Hong Kong-based pop punk artist Tyson Yoshi are also set to perform at the inaugural event, joining previously announced artists 9m88, Karencici, ØZI, Sury Su, and host MC Jin. KAMP LA 2022 Enlists Monsta X, Kai, Jeon Somi & More for New U.S. K-Pop Festival 09/20/2022 “I’m very excited to be performing live in front of my fans at Barclays Center, “ said Lay Zhang of the news in a press statement. “It will be great to be in New York to share my music with my fans who have always supported me.” MetaMoon Music Festival was founde...
Kaytranada Drops Two New “All Along” and “XTASY” Remixes
After making his highly-anticipated return last month with the track “Twin Flame” starring Anderson .Paak, Kaytranada returns with two new remixes of “All Along” by Rochelle Jordan and “XTASY” by Ravyn Lenae feat. Doechii. The “All Along” remix is a slow, laid-back dance floor classic featuring Kaytranada’s signature groove backed by bouncy synths, hand claps, and punchy basslines. On the track, fellow Canadian R&B musician Rochelle Jordan reflects on lost love with the lyrics, “Cause I’ve been all over thе world. Tryna find something that’s been here all along.” As the name suggests, “XTASY” is light and euphoric with Ravyn Lenae turning up the heat with ethereal vocals and Kaytranada serving up a steady, funky rhythm. The track is part of Lenae’s new HYPNOS album which also feat...
Tee Grizzley Is The Newest Celebrity Victim Of Los Angeles House Burglary Gang
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Prince Williams / Getty September is taking a heavy toll on Tee Grizzley. Prior to losing his friend PnB Rock, his Los Angeles house was robbed. As per TMZ the Detroit, Michigan was the latest celebrity victim of the house burglary gang that has been targeting luxury homes in the Los Angeles area. According to police documentation obtained by the celebrity gossip website the “First Day Out” MC’s home was robbed. Officials speculate the thieves made off with close to a million dollars in cash and jewelry. Thankfully, no one was home at the time of the crime. Related Stories Naturally, the news spread quickly forcing him to speak on the incident on his social media channels. He let the world know he and his inner circle are good and that is most import...
Hurricane Fiona Knocks Out Power Across Puerto Rico
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: MELVIN PEREIRA / Getty Hurricane Fiona made landfall in Puerto Rico on Sunday (September 18) and left in its wake widespread destruction. According to reports, the entire island is without power, and the situation appears to still be dire for the island’s 3.2 million residents. Hurricane Fiona was listed as a Category 1 storm, a stark difference from the Category 4 Hurricane Maria that rocked the island in 2017., as reported by The Washington Post. Despite the difference in power, Hurricane Fiona was strong enough to cause warnings of flooding, disruption of power, and structural damage to buildings. However, initial reports say that flooding was kept to a minimum but rip currents were present just off the island’s coastline. Related Stories President Joe...
50 Cent Dissolves Partnership With Starz, Has 25 New Shows Sold To Other Networks
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Starz / Starz 50 Cent is taking his production talents elsewhere. He announced his deal with Starz is officially done. As per Deadline, 50 Cent is no longer in business with the network that brought us Power. Last week, the Queens native took to social media to confirm the speculation that he has chosen not to renew his contractual option with the Santa Monica, California based company. On Saturday, Sept. 17 he posted on Instagram that the deal has expired and he is no longer legally obligated to give the network first right of refusal on any of his television production concepts. “09-17-22 official day of really owning my content & deciding where and how i do it moving forward!!! GLG🚦GreenLightGang 🎯bulls eye we don’t miss &...
Popular YouTuber Is Suing Nicki Minaj Fans For Online Threats
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Arturo Holmes / Getty A popular YouTuber who found herself under attack by rabid Nicki Minaj fans is taking legal action for the online harassment she’s been subjected to thanks to fanatics know as the Barbz. The Daily Beast is reporting that YouTube personality Kimberly Nicole Foster is planning on suing a gang of Nicki Minaj fans after she says they posted her personal information online after she went after the Queens rapper in a tweet calling her a “horrible person.” Related Stories That was all it took for the rabid Barbz to come for Foster and make her life miserable for daring to talk negative of their queen. While most people get harassed and chalk it up to the game, Foster is taking legal action to send all the trolls a message and she is coming ...
Hit-Boy and Benny The Butcher Tease New Collaboration
Hit-Boy and Benny The Butcher may be cooking up something new to follow up 2020’s Burden of Proof. The pair were recently spotted in the studio together, with a video showing the pair listening to an instrumental and the BSF founder rapping over the beat. Hit-Boy also shared a series of photos on Instagram that included one of him and Benny in the studio, writing “22’ not over” in the caption and the rapper commenting three gold trophy emojis — possibly hinting that they may be releasing the collab before the year ends. The duo’s Burden of Proof dropped in October 2020 and features guest appearances from Big Sean, Conway the Machine, Dom Kennedy, Freddie Gibbs, Lil Wayne, Queen Naija, Rick Ross and Westside Gunn. The producer previously also revealed that the track “TIMLESS” with Big Sean ...
Mystikal Pleads Not Guilty to Rape, Robbery, Abuse, Drug Possession Charges
New Orleans rapper Mystikal (Michael Tyler) has pleaded not guilty today (September 19) to a number of charges in Louisiana, the AP reports. Tyler entered his plea in Ascension Parish court in Gonzales in response to charges of first-degree rape, domestic abuse battery (strangulation, false imprisonment), drug possession, simple robbery, and simple criminal damage to property. His next hearing will be October 17. Tyler was first arrested on Sunday, July 31, in Prairieville, Louisiana, and indicted last month; prosecutors allege he raped and choked a woman at his home. The first-degree rape charge carries an automatic life sentence in Louisiana. Tyler is accused of possessing heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, and Xanax. Tyler was previously indicted on rape and kidnapping char...
Chris Redd Is Leaving SNL
Chris Redd has announced that he is departing Saturday Night Live after five seasons in the cast, Variety reports. “Being a part of SNL has been the experience of a lifetime. Five years ago, I walked into 30 Rock knowing that this was an amazing opportunity for growth,” Redd said in a statement. “Now, with friends who have become family and memories I will cherish forever, I’m grateful to Lorne Michaels and to the entire ‘SNL’ organization. From the bottom of my heart, I can’t thank you all enough.” Redd’s departure follows those of fellow cast members Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon, Aidy Bryant, Kyle Mooney, Alex Moffat, Melissa Villaseñor, and Aristotle Athari. During his time on the show, Redd participated in numerous rap-themed musical sketches. Some of his impressions included...
