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Marilyn Manson Sexual Assault Lawsuit Dismissed
Note: This article contains descriptions of alleged sexual assault and sexual battery. A California court has dismissed without prejudice a 2021 lawsuit accusing Brian Warner—also known as Marilyn Manson—of sexual assault, as the Los Angeles Times reports and Pitchfork can confirm. Model and entertainer Ashley Morgan Smithline sued the musician for sexual assault, sexual battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, unlawful imprisonment, and more. Warner has denied the allegations. In October, Jay Ellwanger withdrew as Smithline’s attorney; she did not meet a deadline by December to acquire new representation or represent herself, leading to the court’s most recent decision. Smithline is able to re-file the case with new representation. “We thank and commend Ashley Smithlin...
Lee Foss’ Repopulate Mars Launches New Sub-Label, North Of Neptune
Repopulate Mars, the flagship record label of house music vet Lee Foss, has revealed the launch of a new sub-label, North Of Neptune. Foss says his new imprint will explore the funkier side of the Repopulate Mars universe. North Of Neptune will release its first record on Friday, January 6th, a two-track EP by Toby Simpson called Come Together. “Further exploration of the repopulate galaxy has unearthed the sound of my brand new sub label @north_of_neptune…a sound that shimmers in the glow of raining liquid diamonds in the coolest, funkiest reaches of the known galactic funk hub,” wrote Foss in an Instagram post. “[It] will bring smiles to all the cool cosmic cats.” Last year, Foss returned to the White Isle at Eden Ibiza for a landmark DJ res...
“I Thought I Ruined the Song”: Skrillex Opens Up About the Production of “Rumble”
Skrillex, Fred again.. and Flowdan have been ready to “Rumble” for years. After releasing their long-awaited collab, the trio opened up about its origins in a BBC Radio 1 interview. And if we take away anything from their discussion, it’s that every song has its own story. According to Fred, he created the original “Rumble” demo with Flowdan—sans Skrillex—roughly five years ago. He says the first time he ever met Skrillex, he played the track for the dubstep icon, who “always remembered it” and eventually asked for its stems. But the stunning and inventive song we’re hearing today didn’t sit right with Skrillex, who says he believed he’d “ruined” the record with his contributions. “I did something and I...
Copyright Royalty Board Approves Industry-Wide Settlement for 15.35% Royalty Increase
The United States’ Copyright Royalty Board has approved new rates amid a long-standing battle between digital service providers and songwriters, recording artists and music publishers. Known as “Phonorecords IV” or “CRB IV,” the settlement will incrementally increase royalties for over the next five years until it reaches 15.35% in 2027, according to the board’s members. On January 1st, 2023, songwriters and music publishers received a rate of 15.1% of a U.S. streaming service’s revenue. In 2024, it will raise to 15.2% In 2025, it will raise to 15.25% In 2026, it will raise to 15.3% In 2027, it will raise to 15.35% Songwriters and music publishers have long received the short end of the stick, but thanks to support from the NMPA as well as va...
After Las Vegas’ Mirage Closes, Fontainebleau Secures $2.2 Billion Investment
The Las Vegas Strip, one of the world’s leading nightlife hubs, is receiving a multi-billion dollar investment. Shortly after Hard Rock International announced its plans to shutter The Mirage and funnel billions of dollars into renovations, Fontainebleau Development has secured a $2.2 billion construction loan in order to complete the company’s ambitious, 67-story hotel and casino in Las Vegas. The Fontainebleau project has been in the works for two decades, according to TheStreet. “This is a milestone for Fontainebleau Las Vegas and stands as a testament to the tremendous dedication of our team and our partners at Koch Real Estate Investments,” said Brett Mufson, President of Fontainebleau Development, in a statement. “We are eager to bring ou...
Fan Chant: NewJeans on Starting 2023 Strong with OMG
Welcome to Fan Chant, a weekly column for K-pop fans, stans, and newbies alike. Each week, I’ll be rolling out interviews, lists, and all kinds of content to keep you in the loop on the latest and greatest from our friends in Seoul and beyond. Also, make sure to subscribe to my companion newsletter! This past fall in Seoul, the song “Hype Boy” by NewJeans was nothing short of ubiquitous. The song was playing in the market in Insadong, shopping malls in Myeondeong, restaurants and convenience stores along the Han River, and even pulsing from the brightly colored bars in Hongdae at night, hoping to attract customers like me. It seemed like people across demographics were listening to NewJeans, the freshly debuted group out of ADOR, subsidiary of HYBE, but the hype didn’t stay contained to So...
Judge Dismisses Ashley Morgan Smithline’s Case Against Marilyn Manson
A California district judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by model Ashley Morgan Smithline against Marilyn Manson, which accused the musician born Brian Warner of sexual assault, human trafficking, and unlawful imprisonment. After Smithline’s attorney Jay Ellwanger withdrew his representation in October, Judge Fernando L. Aenlle-Rocha gave Smithline a 90-day window to either hire a new attorney or decide to represent herself. She did neither by the December 5th deadline, prompting Aenlle-Rocha to dismiss the case without prejudice late Tuesday. “We thank and commend Ashley Smithline for dismissing her claims against Brian Warner without seeking or receiving anything in return,” Manson’s attorney Howard King wrote in a statement. “Ms. Smithline has refused to be manipulated by others who ar...
Dee Snider: Robert Plant and Ronnie James Dio Not “Great Frontmen” Despite Being “Great Singers”
Dee Snider stirred up an ongoing Twitter debate just before the new year when he claimed that he doesn’t consider Robert Plant and the late Ronnie James Dio to be great frontmen. The Twisted Sister vocalist explained that he admires both rock legends as singers but insisted that they lacked excitement onstage as performers. It all started when Snider praised late drummer Cozy Powell, who was bandmates with Dio in Rainbow and played on select tracks on Plant’s debut solo album, Pictures at Eleven. When a fan tweeted at Snider that Dio was the second best frontman after Freddie Mercury, Snider responded, “You are confusing singing with performing. There is a huge difference between a great frontman & a great singer. Ronnie was one of the greatest singers of all time, but as a frontman, h...
Edward Norton Learns Pocahontas Is His 12th Great-Grandmother
According to Finding Your Roots host Henry Louis Gates Jr., Edward Norton was the most well-versed guest in their family history who has appeared on the PBS series, but the Glass Onion star was still taken off guard to find out that historical figure Pocahontas is his 12th great-grandmother. During the Season 9 premiere, Gates Jr. said his researchers uncovered a “direct paper trail” leading to the marriage certificate between Virginia settler John Rolfe and the indigenous woman. “I understand that was family lore,” he said. “Well, it is absolutely true.” Gates Jr. continued, “John Rolfe and Pocahontas got married on April 5, 1614. Shakespeare dies in 1616, just to put this in perspective. Pocahontas died sometime in March 1617 in Grave’s End, England, and John Rolfe di...
Skrillex Returns With “Rumble” Featuring Fred again.. and Flowdan
Skrillex has returned with his first track in just over a year, titled “Rumble,” featuring rising DJ and producer Fred again.. and MC Flowdan. Clocking in at just two minutes and 26 seconds, the fresh single leans into its grime and bass while still introducing an experimental sound over a steady beat. With a bridge composed of a high-pitched voice, the track expertly builds to a proper height before dropping to a smooth, vibrating conclusion. “Rumble” arrives after Fred again.. teased the cut during his Boiler Room debut last summer. In tandem with officially releasing the track on Wednesday, Skrillex announced that a new single, featuring PinkPantheress and Trippie Redd, will release on Thursday, January 5. Both tracks will presumably appear on Skrillex’s forthcoming double album, which ...
Mac DeMarco to Release Instrumental LP ‘Five Easy Hot Dogs’ Later This Month
Mac DeMarco will be returning with a new album in just a few weeks. The forthcoming record, entitled Five Easy Hot Dogs, is a collection of instrumental recordings the singer made throughout his time spent traveling across the U.S. and Canada. Each of the 14 songs on Five Easy Hot Dogs is named after the corresponding city in which it was recorded and the tracklist is reflective of the chronological order they were made. DeMarco says that he began his roadtrip in the Bay Area following a concert in January of last year. His plan was essentially to stay in motels, hotels and simply in people’s houses and to record in all of these various settings. The singer said he traveled with his guitar, bass, drum kit, Model D synth, TX7 keyboard, stands and cabling and a few mics. “The plan was to sta...
Future “Back To The Basics,”Vado ft. Dave East “By The Stove” & More | Daily Visuals 1.3.23
HipHopWired Featured Video Source: Prince Williams / Getty It was a very fruitful year for Future as the ATLien released his latest LP, I Never Liked You, much to city boys’ praise, and in the process was crowned the best rapper alive. Looking to carry some of those positive vibes in 2023, the Toxic King comes through with some new visuals for INLY album cut “Back To The Basics,” which finds Future enjoying female company everywhere from a yacht to a fancy private resort on a tropical island to kick off the new year. One of those lucky ladies may end up being baby mama number nine for Future. Back in New York, Vado and Dave East keep Harlem’s world spinnin’ and in their clip to “By The Stove” the two Uptown representatives politic in the projects to remind everyone about the humble beginni...
