business
SXSW Releases Statement Decrying ‘Discriminatory Laws’ in Texas
Both laws were met with widespread outrage and condemnation by artists as well as the general public, as well as calls for boycotts of the state. In its statement released today, SXSW said it would not abandon Austin, saying that leaving “would economically damage the city much more than it would the state. Much of the economic impact derived from our event benefits the city’s small business and creative communities. Austin is part of SXSW’s DNA, and we are committed to staying and fighting alongside the people who have made us who we are. We will continue to use our platform to further the progression of human rights at home and across the globe.” The statement was also released ahead of this weekend’s National Women’s March in support of reproductive rights, set to take place...
Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel Says ‘No’ to Buying UTA
He also said that the deal “validated” Endeavor’s strategy when it merged with WMA. “They are just coming to it 13 years later … Mazel tov,” he added. He also defended Endeavor’s representation business, pushing back against the notion that the company is ignoring it in favor of UFC or its other ventures. “I would say to you, we are the largest agency,” Emanuel said. “Our representation business, for the last 10 or 11 years, has grown double digits every year for 10 years. It is a very significant part of our business, and it is the core feeder for how our business grows.” He also argued that Endeavor continues to be important to its clients, particularly as the number of streaming services continue to grow, and as the power of ce...
2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards Deliver Record-Breaking Ratings Across Telemundo Platforms
The 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards, broadcast live on Telemundo on Thursday, delivered record-breaking results for Spanish-language prime time, generating a total of 57 million engagements across television, digital and social platforms, Billboard has learned. Reaching a cumulative audience of more than 3.6 million total viewers in prime time, Telemundo delivered 1.66 million total viewers and 713,000 adults 18-49 on linear, as reported by Nielsen. The red carpet special, Alfombra de los Premios Billboard, averaged 1.35 million total viewers and 507,000 adults 18-49. On the Telemundo app, the awards ceremony generated 1.2 million user minutes during the live linear simulcast, increasing 31 percent versus last year. In addition to the #Billboards2021 hashtag trending on Twitter and TikTo...
Chart Rewind: In 1991, Garth Brooks Lassoed History With ‘Ropin’ the Wind’
After moving 300,000 in its first week, Ropin’ the Wind has sold 9.6 million to date. Remarkably, Brooks, then 29, achieved these feats without the benefit of pop crossover airplay. Rather, it was his electric live concerts and a string of modern country classics from his first two albums, Garth Brooks and No Fences, that helped rocket his third album to a No. 1 launch and propel country radio to new ratings highs in the early ’90s. Ropin’ the Wind, which yielded five Hot Country Songs top 10 singles, including the No. 1s “Shameless” (written by Billy Joel), “What She’s Doing Now” and “The River,” became the first of nine No. 1 albums that Brooks has landed on the Billboard 200. With 73.2 million albums sold in the U.S. since 1991...
Cadence Weapon Wins 2021 Polaris Music Prize in Canada
Cadence Weapon’s fifth studio album Parallel World was announced as the winner of the 2021 Polaris Music Prize on Monday (Sept. 27). The prize is awarded to the “best full-length Canadian album based on artistic merit, regardless of genre, sales or record label,” according to the organization. Cadence Weapon, a Canadian-American rapper (real name Roland “Rollie” Pemberton), hails from Edmonton, Alberta. His win was announced during an event that was streamed live from CBC Toronto’s Studio 211. This is the 16th year of the Polaris Prize, which is presented by CBC Music. Past winners include Arcade Fire’s The Suburbs (2011) which also won a Grammy as album of the year, and three albums by acts that subsequently went on to collect Grammy nominations – Caribou (2008), Kay...
The Lathums Set to Oust Drake From U.K. Chart Throne
Drake’s Certified Lover Boy (OVO/Republic Recordings) beat Lil Nas X’s Montero (Columbia) by the tightest of margins on last Friday’s chart, but don’t bet on either winning the current race. Drizzy’s latest drops to No. 3 and Lil Nas X’s debut album dips to No. 6. Meanwhile, Australian pop singer Natalie Imbruglia is on track for her first U.K. Top 10 album in 14 years with Firebird (BMG), new at No. 4, while Tom DeLonge’s Angels & Airwaves are flying high with Lifeforms (Rise Records), new at No. 7. If it keeps its altitude, Lifeforms will give the U.S. alternative rock outfit their first Top 10 in 15 years. Also aiming for Top 20 debuts this week are sets by Sleep Token (This Place Will Become Your Tomb at No. 11 via Spinefarm), Nao (And Then Life Was Beautiful at No. 16 via RCA), Tr...
Round Hill Acquires The O’Jays’ Recorded Catalog
Round Hill Music Royalty Fund Ltd. has acquired the recorded catalog of classic R&B group The O’Jays, it was announced today. The purchase encompasses 100% of the master royalty income from 532 total recordings, including such hits as “Love Train,” “Forever Mine” and “For the Love of Money.” Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. According to catalog royalty statements from calendar years 2018-2020, 64% of the revenue generated by the group’s catalog is derived from streaming, followed by 17% sync, 10% downloads, 6% other and 3% physical. Eighty-eight percent of that revenue is generated in the U.S. The top songs ranked by revenue are “Love Train,” “Forever Mine,” “For The Love of Money,” “Back Stabbers,” “Use Ta Be My Girl,” “Cry Together,” “Stairway To Heaven”...
Warner Music Becomes Twitch’s First Major-Label Partner
Warner Music Group (WMG) is the first major recording company to partner with Twitch in a deal that will bring WMG artist channels, original music programming and more to the livestreaming platform. To start, WMG is launching artist channels for Warner Records stars Bella Poarch and Saweetie, plus Atlantic Records singer and producer Sueco, where they’ll share exclusive and behind-the-scenes content. Additionally, social media-focused digital media company IMGN — which WMG acquired last year — will produce a slate of original shows like “The Drop,” to discuss music news; “Freestyle Throwdown,” where rappers freestyle based on topics chosen by the audience; and “The One,” where guest artists perform the songs that influenced them. “...
Disney Sues To Maintain Full Rights to All Marvel Characters
Walt Disney Company is filing a series of blockbuster suits to keep full control of the Marvel characters including, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Dr. Strange, Hawkeye, Black Widow, Thor and others. The New York Time has reported that the lawsuits are looking to invalidate copyright termination notices that have been served by these characters’ illustrators. Should Marvel lose the lawsuit, Disney would be forced to share ownership of these billion-dollar characters. The dispute first came into light when Marc Toberoff, a well-known intellectual property lawyer served Disney and Marvel Entertainment copyright terminations on behalf of five of his clients. Amongst those are Lawrence D. Lieber and his older brother, Stan Lee. Other clients including Steve Ditok and Don Heck are also looking to reclai...
Tony Awards 2021: Full List of Winners
Here’s the complete list of winners. The categories are listed in alphabetical order. Best book of a musical Jagged Little Pill, Diablo Cody — WINNERMoulin Rouge! The Musical, John LoganTina: The Tina Turner Musical, Katori Hall, Frank Ketelaar, and Kees Prins Best choreography Jagged Little Pill, Sidi Larbi CherkaouiMoulin Rouge! The Musical, Sonya Tayeh — WINNERTina: The Tina Turner Musical, Anthony Van Laast Best costume design in a musical Jagged Little Pill, Emily RebholzTina: The Tina Turner Musical, Mark ThompsonMoulin Rouge! The Musical, Catherine Zuber — WINNER Best costume design in a play Slave Play, Dede AyiteA Soldier’s Play, Dede AyiteThe Inheritance, Bob CrowleyA Christmas Carol, Rob Howell — WINNERThe Rose Tattoo, Clint Ramos Best directi...
Tony Awards 2021: Facts & Feats
Here are noteworthy facts and feats associated with this year’s Tony Awards. Moulin Rouge! the Musical is just the sixth show in Tony history to win 10 or more awards in one night. The Producers (2001) is the all-time champ with 12 wins, followed by Hamilton (2016) with 11 and Hello, Dolly! (1964), Billy Elliot: The Musical (2009), The Band’s Visit (2018) and Moulin Rouge! the Musical with 10 wins each. Moulin Rouge! The Musical did even better at the Tonys than Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film Moulin Rouge! did at the Oscars. (It helps that musicals and dramas have separate categories at the Tonys, whereas they must compete with each other at the Oscars.) The film received eight nominations, including best picture and best actress for Nicole Kidman, but won in just two categories...
Drake’s ‘Certified Lover Boy’ Beats Lil Nax X’s ‘Montero’ In Tight U.K. Chart Race
Blasting in at No. 5 on the latest chart is Tion Wayne’s debut Green With Envy (Atlantic), bowing just ahead of Bob Dylan’s Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 (Sony Music CG), new at No. 6. With its sprightly arrival, Springtime becomes Dylan’s 41st Top 10 album, as it racks up the most physical sales of the week. English prog-rock veterans Genesis bag their first Top 10 album in seven years with the career retrospective The Last Domino (UMC/Virgin), new at No. 9, while Birmingham drill rapper M1llionz completes the top 10 with his debut mixtape Provisional License (Ten Percent). There’s a notable appearance this week by NCT 127, whose third Korean-language album Sticker (Virgin Music) gives the K-pop boyband their first U.K. Top 40 appearance. It’s new at No. 40. Meanwhile...
