Deals
Meta has entered negotiations with celebrities including Judi Dench, Awkwafina, and Keegan-Michael Key to incorporate their voices into a digital assistant product called MetaAI. The company is reportedly offering millions of dollars for voice rights, with talks involving top talent agencies and aiming to finalise deals before Meta's Connect technology conference in September. The proposed contracts would allow Meta to use recorded celebrity voices across its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, as well as its Ray-Ban augmented reality glasses, for a set period with options for renewal or termination.
Position Music has signed a worldwide publishing deal with songwriter and producer Kill Dave, known for his work with artists like Weezer, aespa and AURORA, as well as his involvement in the band Milkblood. "I'm THRILLED to be a part of the Position family. Working with a publisher that not only values my music but also champions my growth as a producer, composer and artist is a huge win," says Kill Dave. Jake Versluis, Partner and A&R at Position Music, notes, "It's rare to find someone who is gifted in so many ways: an accomplished writer with pop cuts, a genre-bending producer creating incredible electronic sounds, as well as the touch needed to craft music for storytelling such as film trailers and video games."
Digital rights grouping IMPEL has expanded its licensing reach to Asia Pacific and Brazil through a new agreement with AMRA. The deal completes IMPEL's global coverage for its fifty seven independent music publisher members, adding to existing partnerships in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Indian subcontinent, Latin America, and North America. IMPEL CEO Sarah Williams states: "We can now say our licensing capabilities are truly global." AMRA CEO Tomas Ericsson adds, "We are THRILLED to join forces with IMPEL and Sarah Williams' team."
Beatchain, a music technology company, has partnered with Radio City India, a major Indian radio network, to create a new platform for discovering independent Indian artists. The platform, called 'Muzartdisco', will launch tomorrow at a music industry conference in Mumbai. It will allow artists to distribute and promote their music while competing for opportunities like radio airplay and award nominations. Ben Mendoza, CEO of Beatchain, explains, "Our platform enables A&R teams and labels to identify real talent – those already demonstrating the qualities needed for a thriving music career – and can connect artists directly with industry tastemakers." Ashit Kukian, CEO at Radio City India, adds, "This strategic alliance will ensure that, by using the latest technologies, we establish a strong foundation for a centre stage where all Indian artists can showcase their talents, get noticed and capture hearts globally”.
Legal
Geoff Barrow of Portishead has claimed that Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign sampled the band's track ‘Machine Gun’ without permission on their new album ‘Vultures 2’, which was released this weekend. Barrow posted a clip of the song ‘Field Trip’ on social media, writing "FFS. Not again", apparently referencing a similar incident in 2013 when The Weeknd allegedly used the same Portishead track without clearance. "Why can't he write his own beats?" Barrow added on Instagram.
The US Fourth Circuit Appeals Court has upheld a drug conspiracy conviction that included rap lyrics as evidence, rejecting an appeal by Atlanta rapper Kenneth Watkins. Watkins argued that lyrics like "I'm a doper for real" and "Truckloads and bales, don't even put 'em on a scale" unfairly swayed the jury. However, US Circuit Judge Julius Richardson wrote: "Watkins was entitled to make these arguments to the jury, as he did. But the jury was not required to believe them." The court found Watkins had forfeited a specific argument that the lyrics were improper character evidence by not raising it during the trial.
Adidas shareholders have argued in a US federal court against the dismissal of their securities fraud lawsuit related to the company's terminated partnership with Kanye West. The class action, filed in April 2023, accuses the German sportswear brand of violating the Securities Exchange Act by failing to disclose West's problematic behaviour to investors before severing ties with him in October 2022. Shareholder attorney Daniel Tyre-Karp argued, "They cannot say that a risk could impact a company when that risk has already taken place," referring to Adidas' business risk disclosure. Adidas maintains the case is a business issue, not securities fraud, with company attorney Maeve O'Connor stating, "That disclosure is not warning of the risk of celebrity misbehaviour."
The owners of New York's Electric Zoo festival have been accused of failing to pay nearly $1 million to vendors and workers from last year's event. According to Gothamist, five separate lawsuits have been filed against Avant Gardner, which owns Electric Zoo, alleging unpaid wages and invoices from the 2023 festival that was marred by cancellations and overcrowding. The legal actions include claims from 43 staff members for unpaid wages and tips, as well as suits from companies providing services such as cleaning, laser light shows and merchandise production. Andre Desir, attorney for The Laser Light Company, states: "This isn't a one-off. This company, this organisation, this entity has a pattern of behavior of entering contracts and not paying people that they enter into contracts with."
A music festival owned by Capulet Entertainment LLC has been sued in a Connecticut state court after the festival was drastically downsized one day before its scheduled start. Ticket buyers allege consumer protection violations, breach of contract and negligence after the three-day Capulet Fest was shortened to two days and relocated from the 13,000 capacity Thompson Speedway Motorsports Park to the 1200 person Webster theatre in Hartford. The complaint, previously filed and withdrawn in federal court, claims organisers cited "a discrepancy and some miscommunication with the production crew and the speedway" for the last-minute changes to the 50 band event, which had advertised ticket prices ranging from $65 to $700.
Other industry news & events
Rough Trade has suspended a controversial partnership with FlipVinyl after one day due to widespread criticism over low prices offered for rare records. The UK record shop chain launched the new online service on 2 Aug, allowing customers to sell used vinyl, but faced immediate backlash. Lawrence Montgomery, Managing Director of Rough Trade UK, apologised, saying, "We understand and appreciate these criticisms and take full responsibility. As a result, we are going to suspend the service to give us time to reassess."
Daniel Bedingfield is “an avid user of Udio” and has embraced AI in music production, creating an entire AI-generated album and developing an app that pairs music with AI-generated videos. "AI is now here forever," Bedingfield told The Guardian, predicting a split between "neo-luddites" and those who embrace the technology. "Why fight it when you can have a whole gospel choir singing your chorus in two days' time?" Despite acknowledging potential industry job losses, Bedingfield concludes bluntly, "We have to adapt or die."
Metro Boomin has launched a $20,000 grant programme for single mothers in each city of his ongoing tour with Future. The Leslie Joanne Single Moms Are Superheroes initiative, named after Metro's late mother, will provide financial support and concert tickets across 21 markets on the We Trust You Tour. The programme began in Kansas City, with the first grant awarded to local non-profit Essential Families. Metro says, "I've seen firsthand the work that goes into being a single mother. Mine was my inspiration and my hero."
JYP Entertainment has launched Innit Entertainment, a new subsidiary aimed at diversifying its talent portfolio. The offshoot will manage artists across various genres, including pop, ballads, R&B, and the popular Korean genre trot, as well as actors. "With the launch of Innit Entertainment, we will enhance our competitiveness in the entertainment industry and further solidify our position," JYP Entertainment states. The subsidiary's first project involves managing talents discovered through ‘Tantara’, a new KBS variety show created by JYP founder Park Jin-young.
Artist News
A survey of 2000 Gen Z Britons has revealed a startling lack of knowledge about 1990s rock icons, with 8% believing Jarvis Cocker was a breed of dog and a similar percentage thinking he led the Green Party. The poll, conducted by drinks firm Hooch, also found that 15% of respondents aged 18-28 thought Oasis members Noel and Liam Gallagher were TV presenters, while 11% believed they were TV chefs. "Gen Z might not know much about Jarvis Cocker and Oasis because they weren't even born," a Hooch spokesperson explains. The survey also uncovered that 21% had never heard of Blur and 14% believed Happy Mondays was a wellness app.
Aerosmith have announced their retirement from touring due to frontman Steven Tyler's ongoing vocal injury. The band, formed in 1970, made the decision after Tyler spent months working to recover from a larynx fracture sustained during a performance in September 2023. "Sadly, it is clear that a full recovery from his vocal injury is not possible," the group stated in a social media post. Aerosmith added, "We have made a heartbreaking and difficult, but necessary, decision – as a band of brothers – to retire from the touring stage."
NSYNC is considering a significant 30th anniversary reunion project for 2025, potentially including a live show, new album and documentary. An unnamed Los Angeles music consultant told the Daily Mirror, "The desire has always been for them to do one major comeback. This could be the one – the 30th anniversary is something very special." The project's feasibility depends on Justin Timberlake's involvement, with the source adding: "Of course, Justin holds the key to it all. But there's much optimism."
A lyric notebook belonging to Lil Wayne has been put up for sale for $5 million after a lengthy legal dispute over ownership. The notebook, containing handwritten song notes from the 1990s, was initially listed for $250,000 in 2019 by Moments In Time, a company specialising in selling memorabilia. When the book was first offered for sale, Lil Wayne’s legal team claimed he had simply misplaced the notebook, saying, "Wayne never abandoned his notebook - he simply misplaced it and is THRILLED it's been found." However, Gary Zimet, owner of Moments In Time, insisted the finder had "crystal clear title." The court ultimately ruled against Wayne, leading to the current sale - and significant price increase. Moments In Time defended the mark-up, saying: "Lil Wayne is one of the greatest rappers ever, making his handwritten song notes incredibly valuable."
Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Ken Bruce has sparked controversy with comments about Taylor Swift's music. Bruce told the Daily Mail: "All her songs are the same. I'll play her on my station when she writes something that isn't about her ex-boyfriends." The remarks have drawn backlash from Swift's fans online, with one critic responding, "Leave it to an old white man to be completely out of touch..... shocker." Bruce, now at Greatest Hits Radio, defended his stance, saying, "Great radio songs have three beats and then they're straight into the song, not these long intros that she does."
Bae Jin-young has left the K-pop boyband CIX after five years, with the group set to continue as a quartet. C9 Entertainment, CIX's label, announced that it had released Bae from his exclusive contract as of 1 Aug, saying, "We express our gratitude to Bae Jin-young for his hard work as a member of CIX and ask for your continued support [in his] new chapter." The agency confirmed that the remaining members - BX, Seunghun, Yonghee and Hyunsuk - are "currently preparing for a new album to be released in the second half of the year, along with various performances."
Releases & Tours
Orville Peck has released his new album ‘Stampede’, with features including Kylie Minogue and Diplo.
Meshell Ndegeocello has released her new album ‘No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin’.
Sam Smith has released a tenth anniversary edition of his album ‘In The Lonely Hour’, featuring live versions of numerous tracks and existing features from Mary J Blige, A$AP Rocky and John Legend.
Armin van Buuren has released his new single ‘Es Vedrà’.
Keith Urban has released his new single ‘HEART LIKE A HOMETOWN’. His new album ‘HIGH’ is out 20 Sep.
Fontaines DC have announced a headline show at Finsbury Park on Saturday 5 Jul 2025. Guests include Amyl And The Sniffers and Kneecap. Tickets go on sale this Friday here.
Clairo has announced a UK/European headline tour for 2025. The ‘Charm Tour’ includes a show at London’s Eventim Apollo on 13 Mar. Tickets go on general sale this Friday here.