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SOCAN Collections Rebound 6% to $325M
The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) saw collections rebound 6.4% to 416 million Canadian dollars ($325.5 million) from the prior year’s total of 391 million Canadian dollars ($305.9 million), despite the pandemic’s lingering economic impact in 2021. The SOCAN revenue collection total breaks out to $310 million Canadian ($242.55 million) in domestic receipts and 105 million Canadian dollars ($82.94 million) from foreign receipts. Domestically, that represents a 6.5% increase from 2020’s 291 million Canadian dollars ($227.64 million), while it’s a 6% increase over the 100 million Canadian dollars ($78.2 million) the society took in from foreign territories that year. “Given the challenges of the pandemic, at the end of 2020 we prepared for a financially a...
From Slip-N-Slide to Miami NFT Week, Ted Lucas Talks Embracing Tech to Close the Black Wealth Gap
Back in 1994, Ted Lucas was an entrepreneur on a mission. That quest led to his founding Miami-based Slip-N-Slide Records, home to hip-hop pioneers such as Trick Daddy, Trina, Plies and Rick Ross. Now 28 years later, Lucas is embarking on another mission. This time he’s determined to close the Black and Brown wealth gap through technology and innovation programs. In addition to establishing the non-profit organization TechNolij (pronounced tech knowledge) to support women and minorities seeking to enter the field, Lucas co-founded the inaugural Miami NFT Week conference, which kicked off Friday (April 1) at the Mana Wynwood Convention Center. Wrapping April 3, the three-day event is part of the city’s Miami Tech Month campaign. Three days before the launch of Miami NFT Week, Billboard chat...
Miley Cyrus Says She Has COVID-19, ‘But It Was Definitely Worth It’
Miley Cyrus revealed Friday (April 1) on Twitter that she has COVID-19, but she has no regrets: “It was definitely worth it.” The pop star has been touring Latin America for the past week, with a concert in Bogota, Colombia, and a performance at Lollapalooza Brazil in Sao Paolo. “Traveling around the world, playin for 100,000 people a night & meeting hundreds of fans a day, the chances of getting Covid are pretty high,” Cyrus tweeted. “I have Covid now but it was definitely worth it.” Explore Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news Traveling around the world, playin for a 100,000 people a night & meeting hundreds of fans a day the chances of getting Covid are pretty high. I have Covid now but it was definitely worth it. — Miley Cyrus (@MileyCyr...
Will Smith Resigns From Academy After Chris Rock Oscars Slap
Will Smith, in the wake of slapping Chris Rock at Sunday’s Oscars, has decided to resign from the membership of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. In a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, Smith said he was heartbroken and would accept all consequences for his conduct. Explore See latest videos, charts and news See latest videos, charts and news “My actions at the 94th Academy Awards presentation were shocking, painful, and inexcusable. The list of those I have hurt is long and includes Chris, his family, many of my dear friends and loved ones, all those in attendance, and global audiences at home,” Smith said in the statement. “I betrayed the trust of the Academy. I deprived other nominees and winners of their opportunity to celebrate and be celebrated for thei...
Joni Mitchell to Make Rare Public Appearance at the Grammys
Joni Mitchell will make a rare public appearance at Sunday’s Grammy Awards. The legendary songwriter will be on hand to present an award during Sunday’s ceremony in Las Vegas, the Record Academy announced on Friday. Mitchell, 78, has mostly remained out of the public spotlight since suffering a brain aneurysm in 2015. Her most recent public appearance came last December, when she attended the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors. In a brief speech following the ceremony, Mitchell briefly addressed her health, saying: “I always think that polio was a rehearsal for the rest of my life… I’ve had to come back several times from things. And this last one was a real whopper. But, you know, I’m hobbling along but I’m doing all right!” Ahead of Sunday’s Grammys, Mitchell will be honored at a separate ceremo...
Jim Carrey Says He Worries About Paul Dano’s Dark Portrayal of The Riddler
Jim Carrey may be mulling retirement, but he seems to be considering a new career as a cultural critic. Case in point: Matt Reeves’ The Batman has widely been praised for its grounded portrayal of Gotham City, but Carrey isn’t too thrilled about the film’s darkness. The actor — who’s had his own turn as Caped Crusader foe The Riddler — said he had mixed emotions about the movie, and especially about Paul Dano’s interpretation of the character. “I’ve not seen it. It’s a very dark version. I have mixed emotions about it,” Carrey told Unilad. “To each his own and all that. I love [Dano] as an actor, he’s a tremendous actor.” Carrey played The Riddler in Joel Schumacher’s 1995 film Batman Forever, which starred Val Kilmer as the superhero. But where Dano’s villain...
Song of the Week: Harry Styles Is Back, And Nothing Is the Same “As It Was”
Song of the Week breaks down and talks about the song we just can’t get out of our head each week. Find these songs and more on our Spotify Top Songs playlist. For our favorite new songs from emerging artists, check out our Spotify New Sounds playlist. This week, Harry Styles gives us the first look inside the walls of Harry’s House. “Harry, you’re no good alone.” Artistically, that’s something we know isn’t true. It’s been years now since Harry Styles struck out on his own, re-inventing his public persona through vintage aesthetics and the devil-may-care creativity of a present-day rockstar. His art, both in his self-titled solo debut and the Grammy-winning Fine Line, has always pivoted between the achingly personal and intentionally coy. It might be easy to speculate ...
Miley Cyrus Tests Positive for COVID Following South American Tour: “It Was Definitely Worth It”
Miley Cyrus has tested positive for COVID-19 following her recent tour of South America. But the pop singer has no regrets: “Traveling around the world, playin for a 100,000 people a night & meeting hundreds of fans a day the chances of getting Covid are pretty high. I have Covid now but it was definitely worth it,” Cyrus tweeted on Friday. Last month, Cyrus embarked on her first South American tour in seven years, headlining festivals including in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Brasil. The latter performance proved especially emotional, as it came just a day removed from the death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. Cyrus dedicated her set in honor of Hawkins. Due to her bout with COVID, Cyrus has canceled her scheduled appearance at a Grammys watch party hosted by Aerosmith sing...
MICHAEL WILTON On Possibility Of GEOFF TATE And SCOTT ROCKENFIELD Returning To QUEENSRŸCHE: ‘What Will Be Will Be’
In a new interview with Tigman of the WPDH 101.5 FM radio station in Poughkeepsie, New York, QUEENSRŸCHE guitarist Michael Wilton was asked about the possibility of fellow original members Geoff Tate (vocals) and Scott Rockenfield (drums) coming back to the band. He responded: “I have nothing on any of that. It’s one day at a time as it is, and then what will be will be.” Wilton also praised QUEENSRŸCHE‘s current lineup, which includes former CRIMSON GLORY frontman Todd La Torre and ex-KAMELOT drummer Casey Grillo. “We’re just firing on all cylinders and we are just having a great time,” he said. “The chemistry’s amazing. And we’re all very creative individuals and just prolonging the QUEENSRŸCHE legacy. “Casey‘s amazi...
TED NUGENT Weighs In On TAYLOR HAWKINS’s Death: ‘Substance Abuse Is Selfish’
During today’s (Friday, April 1) edition of “The Nightly Nuge”, a news-style clip in which outspoken conservative rocker Ted Nugent offers his take on the news of our world every night, he reflected on the recent passing of FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins. Ted said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): “It’s heartbreaking on so many levels. Fifty years old with a horrible, long-term celebration of substance abuse. I’m not… Well, I am casting judgment because substance abuse is selfish. His wife and daughter, they should have been taken into consideration. Is spending time with your wife and daughter more important than getting high or less important than getting high? “I’ve told the story many times, but I’ve witnessed it,” Nu...
DAVE MUSTAINE Is ‘Thrilled’ To Have Bassist JAMES LOMENZO Back In MEGADETH
Dave Mustaine says that he is “thrilled” about the return of bassist James LoMenzo to the MEGADETH ranks. LoMenzo joined MEGADETH in 2006 and appeared on two of the group’s studio albums, 2007’s “United Abominations” and 2009’s “Endgame”. He was fired from the band in 2010 and replaced with returning original MEGADETH bassist David Ellefson. In addition to MEGADETH, LoMenzo has played with Ozzy Osbourne, Zakk Wylde and WHITE LION. For the past nine years, LoMenzo has been performing with iconic rocker John Fogerty. LoMenzo played his first show with MEGADETH in nearly 12 years last August in Austin, Texas. The concert took place three months following Ellefson‘s dismissal from MEGADETH after sexually tinged messages and explicit v...
TAYLOR HAWKINS Honored By RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS Drummer CHAD SMITH In Tribute Video
RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS‘ Chad Smith has shared a tribute video to FOO FIGHTERS drummer Taylor Hawkins, who died a week ago at the age of 50. The two-minute compilation video, soundtracked by FOO FIGHTERS‘ “My Hero” and put together by Daniel Catullo who directed the 2017 “Foo Fighters At The Acropolis” series on PBS that Smith hosted, features images of the two drummers over the years, including many moments on the road. “Taylor‘s my good buddy who I’ve known forever,” Smith says in an interview clip at the beginning of the video. The video ends with Smith‘s tribute to Hawkins during the RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS‘ Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on March 31. “I have to give a shoutout to my brother Taylor Hawkins. I lo...
