Sirius XM to pay SoundExchange $150 million.
Sirius XM Radio Holdings has agreed to pay $150 million to settle a pair of royalty lawsuits stemming from 2007. The digital performance royalty payments are being paid to SoundExchange. The lump-sum payment will be remitted by early July.
Apple will ship 20% fewer iPhones in 2018.
Apple will ‘only’ ship around 80 million iPhones this year. According to Japanese financial daily Nikkei, the company has asked suppliers for 20% fewer components for three new iPhone models. The report may signal that consumer demand for the popular smartphone has started to cool.
SKT invests in MakeUp — with big music plans ahead.
South Korean mobile carrier SKT has announced it will invest 10 billion won ($9.3 billion) in mobile media startup MakeUp. The startup creates mobile content for Facebook and YouTube. The carrier hopes to boost its upcoming music platform business, which will adopt blockchain technologies.
But, wait. Haven’t gunshot noises always been a part of rap?
Eminem has come under fire — so to speak —for using realistic gunshot sound effects during his performance at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. According to Billboard, “fans screamed and ducked as a series of loud blasts rang through the crowd during Eminem’s performance of ‘Kill You.’” Eminem’s camp denied the effect was actually a gun blast (though it certainly sounded like one).
Robbie Williams confirms 2018 World Cup performance.
Robbie Williams has announced that he will perform at the opening ceremony of the 2018 World Cup on June 14th. He’ll perform right before the first match, when Russia takes on Saudi Arabia.
Drake adds eleven more stops to the Aubrey and the Three Migos Tour.
Drake has added eleven tour dates to his North American tour with Migos. Dubbed Aubrey and the Three Migos Tour, the tour kicks off on July 26th in Salt Lake City. The new dates include shows in Denver, Detroit, New York, Montreal, Boston, Philadelphia, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Edmonton. The tour wraps up on November 17th in Atlanta.
Beck, Post Malone, Nas, and Phoenix will headline the 2018 Mempho Music Festival.
Big River Presents has announced the lineup for this year’s Mempho Music Festival. Beck, Phoenix, Post Malone, and Nas will headline the two-day event. Janelle Monae, Mac DeMarco, Milky Chance, Rich The Kid, George Clinton & The Parliament-Funkadelic, Larkin Poe, Sam Lewis, The Como Mamas, Danny Barnes, Jeff Sipe, Mike Seal, and Eric Thorin will also perform. The Mempho Music Festival will take place on October 6th and 7th in Memphis, Tennessee.
BTS tops 2018’s most expensive summer concert tours.
According to secondary ticket marketplace TickPick, BTS has topped the second annual list of Top 10 Most Expensive Summer Concert Tours. Ticket prices averaged $478.98. Metallica and Bruno Mars/Cardi B ranked among the cheapest summer tours at $193.33 and $197.83, respectively.
Severe weather shutters two CMA Music Festival stages.
Stormy weather forced the CMA Music Festival to abruptly close two stages in Nashville. The Chevy Riverfront and Breakout stages were shut down. The Nissan Stadium – where headliners performed – saw no delays.
Amina Diop named SVP of A&R at Republic Records.
Republic Records has named Amina Diop Senior Vice President of A&R. Based in Atlanta, she’ll spearhead the discovery and development of new artists across multiple genres. Diop represents Gucci Mane, Peewee Longway, Tommie Lee, Bandhunta Izzy, Blackway, and others.
AG Artists expands, makes a key hire, and promotes Jordan Wolosky.
Andrew Gertler’s AG Artists – the company that manages Shawn Mendes – has expanded to Los Angeles. Justin Stirling will join as Head of Marketing. In the newly created position, he’ll report to Gertler. Stirling will deal with marketing, promotion, and artist relations.
Jordan Wolosky has also received a promotion. He will now serve as Chief Operating Officer in addition to his current role as General Manager.
Apple alum Bozoma Saint John exits Uber and joins Endeavor.
Former Apple Music executive Bozoma Saint John has left Uber for Endeavor, where she’ll serve as Chief Marketing Officer. Saint John will oversee marketing for all WME-IMG holding companies, including WME, IMG, Professional Bull Riders, Miss Universe, and Frieze.
Danny Kirwan passes away.
Former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Danny Kirwan has passed away in London. No official cause of death was given. He was 68. Kirwan had joined Fleetwood Mac in 1968.
Neal E. Boyd has passed.
America’s Got Talent winner Neal E. Boyd has passed away. He was 42. The opera singer won Season 3 in 2008. Boyd has previously battled with various health issues related to his weight, including heart and kidney failure as well as liver disease. He had planned to release his third album next year.
Lorraine Gordon has died.
Lorraine Gordon, owner of the historic Village Vanguard jazz club in New York, has passed away. She was 95. Gordon, a well-known businesswoman, had advocated for the jazz scene in the city.
Featured image by Hail Merry (CC by 2.0)