Deals
Blackstone’s acquisition of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited - or SONG - has now been completed marking the end of the high drama saga surrounding the music rights investment fund. With the ‘scheme of arrangement’ takeover deal becoming effective yesterday after a court approved the deal, the entire issued share capital of SONG is now owned by Lyra Bidco Limited, a Blackstone-controlled entity. Hipgnosis shares were suspended from trading yesterday pending the court approval and the fund’s listing on the London Stock Exchange was cancelled this morning. Shareholders will receive $1.31 in cash per share, with settlement to occur by 12 Aug.
Iconic Artists Group, Rock The Bells and RZA have formed a partnership to expand Wu-Tang Clan’s legacy. The alliance aims to develop the group’s music, brand and lifestyle across various platforms, including film, television, merchandise and brand partnerships. “As we evolve from ‘legendary status’ to ‘iconic status,’ it’s only fitting and serendipitous that we join the team at Iconic Artists Group and Rock The Bells”, says RZA, adding, “This partnership will help us continue to expound and expand the Wu-Tang Clan’s legacy”.
Rapper Big Sean has signed with S10 Entertainment for management, ending a decade-long management deal with Roc Nation. The move keeps the rapper within the wider Roc Nation universe, however, as S10 is a joint venture between Brandon Silverstein and Roc Nation. Avex USA also recently made an investment in S10. Sean, whose sixth solo album ‘Better Me Than You’ is set for August release, joins S10’s roster alongside Myke Towers. Silverstein says, “Big Sean is an incredible talent who, even after topping charts, breaking records, winning awards and headlining across the world, is just getting started”.
Singer-songwriter Schmitty has signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music. “I am THRILLED to be working with Schmitty”, says Jessi Vaughn Stevenson, VP of A&R for Warner Chappell’s Nashville office. “Growing up in a farming family has really added an authenticity to his songwriting and artistry that I find extremely refreshing”. Schmitty adds, “I am so excited to join Warner Chappell. To have a champion like Jessi and the team at Warner Chappell behind me, my dream is on its way to becoming a reality”.
Appointments
German collecting society GEMA has appointed Ralph Kink to lead its newly created Digital Transformation department from 1 Sep. Kink, previously at Microsoft for 25 years and co-founder of digital.fwd, will oversee GEMA’s technological advancement, including CIO-Office, IT and project portfolio management. “The challenges of our time cannot be mastered without our own technological expertise”, says Dr Tobias Holzmüller, GEMA CEO. Kink adds, “I feel very honoured to now empower our 95,000 members for the digital age alongside GEMA employees and to be able to contribute to cultural diversity and commercial performance in music”.
Blue Raincoat Music has appointed Roman Tagoe as Director Of Streaming for Chrysalis Records in the UK. Tagoe, who previously served as Director Of Streaming for global catalogue recordings at BMG, will report to James Meadows, Senior Vice President of Marketing. “I’m very pleased to welcome someone of Roman’s calibre and experience to the team”, says Meadows. Tagoe comments, “I’m delighted to have joined the Blue Raincoat Music team. The artist-focused ethos of the company is inspiring and it’s an honour to be representing such an amazing roster of musicians”.
Tencent Music Entertainment has announced the resignation of Linlin Chen from her position as Group Vice President, effective 30 Sep. Chen, a founding member of Kugou Music, oversaw operations, sales, marketing, finance, legal affairs and human resources for the platform. “We appreciate her continuous hard work and commitment, which greatly contributed to the success of Kugou Music, one of China’s leading music streaming platforms”, says Cussion Pang, Executive Chairman of TME. The move comes eight years after Tencent’s 2016 acquisition of China Music Corporation, which included Kugou, in a deal that valued CMC at $2.7 billion.
Legal
Pressure from Live Nation’s competitors has led to tighter restrictions on the company’s access to confidential information in the US Department Of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against the live giant. Judge Arun Subramanian revised his initial order after AEG and SeatGeek argued that the original system exposed too much of their sensitive data to Live Nation’s senior decision-makers. The new ruling limits two designated Live Nation attorneys to lower-tier confidential information, accessible only through secure means. Justin W Bernick, representing AEG, confirmed that the stricter safeguards addressed their concerns about information exposure. Judge Subramanian noted that the original access risked compromising rivals’ sensitive information, even if Live Nation’s lawyers attempted to compartmentalise.
Neil Zlozower has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Warner Records over the unauthorised use of his photograph of Tom Petty on the official Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers Facebook page. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles federal court, alleges Warner “actively copied and displayed the photograph on the account and engaged in this misconduct knowingly and in violation of the United States copyright laws”. Zlozower’s lawyers argue: “Defendant has not implemented adequate internal policies to verify copyright ownership before content use, indicating a gross negligence in legal compliance, which is essential for a company with defendant’s reach, capabilities and level of sophistication”.
Barbara Butch, a DJ who performed in the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, has filed legal complaints over online abuse following a misinterpreted scene. The performance, featuring drag queens and intended to represent Greek mythology, was mistaken by some Christians and US conservatives as a mockery of The Last Supper. Thomas Jolly, the show’s director, clarifies: “It was pretty clear. There’s Dionysus arriving at the table... a big pagan party linked to the gods of Olympus”. Despite explanations, Butch has received death threats and homophobic abuse, prompting legal action against what her lawyer describes as “an extremely violent campaign of cyber-harassment and defamation”.
Hong Kong’s Customs And Excise Department says that it has uncovered its first case of streaming-based karaoke copyright infringement during a month-long operation targeting illegal karaoke services. Operation Magpie, conducted from 2 Jul to 25 Jul, led to eighteen arrests and seizures valued at HK$1.1 million from 31 party rooms and one restaurant across Hong Kong. Officials seized five karaoke devices preloaded with suspected infringing songs and related network equipment from a data centre and four party rooms. Two arrestees face copyright charges, while others were released on bail. Hong Kong law stipulates fines of HK$50,000 per infringing copy and up to four years’ imprisonment for copyright infringement in business operations.
Tekashi 6ix9ine could be ordered to pay over $73,000 in damages and attorney fees for copyright infringement by a New York federal judge. US Magistrate Judge Joseph A Marutollo has recommended that that order should be made after concluding that 6ix9ine willfully failed to litigate a lawsuit brought by Miami rapper Seth Gordon, who performs as Yung Gordon. Gordon sued 6ix9ine for using his radio drop without permission in the 2018 song ‘Stoopid’. Marutollo stated, “Hernandez’s complete failure to litigate this action after both of his attorneys withdrew from this case demonstrates that his default was willful”.
Digital
Twitch has rolled out a redesigned mobile app to all users, focusing on improved content discovery and personalised recommendations. The update includes a vertical feed of live streams and clips, similar to TikTok’s interface. “We need to make it easier for these viewers to find content when they visit Twitch and make the experience more fun so that they come back more often”, says Jeremy Forrester, VP Of Community Products. Following user feedback during early testing, Twitch added autoplay controls and muted the feed by default. The company reports that over 50% of users primarily use Twitch on their phone, with 40% exclusively using mobile.
Amanotes, a publisher of music-based mobile games, has opened submissions for a song contest aimed at independent artists around the world. The winning track - which will be selected via a “voting portal”, open to fans of artists who submit tracks - will be licensed for use in Magic Tiles 3, a game with over one billion downloads. The contest coincides with Amanotes’ tenth anniversary and offers a $1000 prize to the winner, with $500 for two runners-up. Carter Pham, Amanotes Licensing Manager, says, “The contest will support our goals of elevating local artists on a global stage”. Submissions close on 30 Aug, with voting scheduled for September.
Other Industry News
Youth Music has awarded £1.5 million to eleven organisations across England through its new Energiser Fund, dedicated to supporting pre-school creativity. The fund, made possible by Arts Council England, aims to revolutionise early years creativity by centring children’s voices in projects ranging from a touring theatre production co-designed by under fives in Hull to a music and movement space in North Shields. “Investing in early years is a matter of equity and inclusion”, says Matt Griffiths, Youth Music CEO, adding, “We’re really excited by the progressive work happening at these projects already, and can’t wait to work with them to change the creative landscape for early years children nationwide over the coming years”.
Un-Convention has announced its first speakers for its 2024 conference, scheduled for 21-22 Nov in Manchester. The line-up includes Lauren Down from End Of The Road Festival, Tom Ogden of Blossoms, Sinead Campbell from Bradford Producing Hub, Russel Crank of PIAS, Beverley Whitrick from Music Venue Trust, Latisha Pemberton of NQ Legacy, John Rostron from the Association Of Independent Festivals, and John Collins of LIVE. Early bird tickets are available for £35 plus booking fee until 16 Aug.
Artist News
Ozzy Osbourne has apologised to Britney Spears after making disparaging comments about her dancing videos on his family’s podcast. The apology, issued on a subsequent podcast episode and Instagram, came after Spears told the Osbournes to “kindly fuck off”. in response to their initial remarks. Ozzy stated, “I really owe you an apology”, but added, “However, it would be better if you didn’t do the same fuckin dance every day”. His daughter Kelly Osbourne attempted to soften the apology, saying, “Britney, never stop dancing. I love your dancing. It makes you happy. And I’m so sorry if any of us offended you”.
Releases & Tours
Jamie xx has collaborated with The Avalanches on his new single ‘All You Children’, taken from forthcoming album ‘In Waves’, which is out on 20 Sep.
Myles Kennedy has released the second single from his upcoming third solo album ‘The Art Of Letting Go’. It’s called ‘Nothing More To Gain’.
Chelsea Wolfe will release an EP of remixes of tracks from her album ‘She Reaches Out To She Reaches Out To She’ on 30 Aug, titled the ‘Undone EP’. From it, here is the ††† remix of ‘Tunnel Lights’.
Danny & The Champions Of The World will release new album ‘You Are Not A Stranger Here’ on 18 Oct. From it, here is new single ‘I’m In Love’.
GOAT have posted new track ‘Ouroboros’ from their upcoming new album ‘Goat’, which is out on 11 Oct.
The Hard Quartet, the new band from Stephen Malkmus, have released their debut single ‘Earth Hater’. They’ll be playing shows in LA, New York and London in October, the London date at the Electric Ballroom on 22 Oct.