DEALS
🖤
Blackpink’s Lisa and her Lloud Co company have partnered with Sony Music’s RCA to release her solo music. “I’m super excited to be joining the RCA family and I am confident they are the best team to create a bigger movement in my solo career”, she says. “Looking forward to showing the world everything we have been preparing”. The deal will raise questions over how promptly we can expect new music from Blackpink, following their re-signing with K-pop company YG Entertainment.
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Warner Chappell has signed Maeta. “I’m so honoured to have my first publishing deal with Warner Chappell”, she says. “They are so hands-on with my career and I’m proud to be a part of the team!”
APPOINTMENTS
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The Scottish Music Industry Association has appointed Aja Garrod-Prance as its General Manager.
LEGAL
❌
The judge overseeing the Astroworld litigation has removed Drake as a defendant on the cases. He was named as a defendant on some of the lawsuits filed in the wake of the Astroworld tragedy because he had a guest spot during the headline set of festival founder Travis Scott, during which a fatal crowd surge occurred. Seeking dismissal of the claims against him, Drake stressed that he had no involvement in event planning or safety. Earlier this week the judge also dismissed claims against Scott's record label Epic Records, though declined to grant motions of dismissal for various other defendants, including Apple and two of Scott's companies.
LABELS
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Warner Music has launched a new South Asia division, covering operations in territories including Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. It will be run out of Dubai by Jay Mehta. “I’m so delighted to launch Warner Music in Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and other [South Asian] territories”, he says. “These are exciting markets with brilliant artists who historically haven’t had the opportunity of plugging into the global music industry. That’s all set to change”.
FUNDING
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The PRS Foundation - in partnership with Arts Council England and the government’s Department For Culture, Media And Sport - has launched a new Early Career Promoter Fund, offering grants of up to £3500 to independent promoters building their careers. “We’re delighted to manage the Early Career Promoter Fund in partnership with Arts Council England and DCMS to offer funding and capacity building support to hundreds of independent promoters who – alongside venues, festivals, artists and crews – will help to build a more robust and diverse live music sector”. Find out more and apply here. Deadline 13 Jun.
RELEASES
🪞
Dua Lipa has released new single ‘Illusion’. Her new album ‘Radical Optimism’ is out on 3 May.
🌊
Former Little Mix member Perrie has released her debut solo single ‘Forget About Us’. The song was co-written with Ed Sheeran, David Hodges and Steve Solomon.
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Zayn has released new single ‘Alienated’.
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Mimi Webb has released new single ‘Mistake’.
🌞
Kasabian have released new single ‘Coming Back To Me Good’.
🌹
Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have shared ‘Song For Amy’ from new Amy Winehouse biopic ‘Back To Black’
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Bugzy Malone has released new single ‘Old Friends’. His new album ‘The Great British Dream’ is out on 10 May.
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Dagny has released new single ‘Strawberry Dream’. Her new mini-album ‘Elle’ is out on 7 Jun.
🦁
Charlotte De Witte has released new track ‘Roar’.
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Darkthrone have released new single ‘Black Dawn Affiliation’. Their new album ‘It Beckons Us All’ is out on 26 Apr.
💩
Joe & The Shitboys have released new single ‘Please Seek Help’.
🔥
UTO have released new single ‘Napkin’. It’s taken from their new album ‘When All You Want To Do Is Be The Fire Part Of Fire’, which is also out today.