Blockchain-based solution raises $5 million to create ‘the world’s first music exchange’.
MusicLife has closed a $5 million Series A Investment led by Metropolis VC. The blockchain music exchange company provides an ecosystem where fans own ‘stocks’ of songs and purchase music. Users, dubbed ‘shareholders,’ earn dividends directly from their song shares. MusicLife, which claims to have 30 million users, will use the funds to build “the world’s first music exchange.”
Spotify reveals its songs of the summer.
Drake’s ‘In My Feelings’ topped the list as the most-streamed song both in the US and around the world.
Around the world, Maroon 5’s ‘Girls Like You’ featuring Cardi B and her song ‘I Like It’ featuring J. Balvin and Bad Bunny took the second and third spots, respectively. Juice WRLD and XXXTentacion wrapped up the top 5 with ‘Lucid Dreams’ and ‘Sad!,’ respectively.
In the US, ‘Lucid Dreams’ took the second spot, followed by ‘Sad!’, ‘I Like It,’ and Drake’s ‘Nice For What.’
Two Vivendi companies – Havas and CMG – unveil a partnership.
Located in the Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood, Annex Tower Creative marks the first partnership between Capitol Music Group (CMG) and Havas. Annex Tower Creative will allow for cross-collaboration between brands and artists across CMG’s multiple record labels.
Prince’s family goes after the doctor who prescribed lethal opioids.
Blaming him for failing to treat the late singer’s opioid addiction, Prince’s family has sued Dr. Michael Schulenburg. He reportedly prescribed the singer Oxycodone under his bodyguard’s name. The lawsuit claims Schulenburg had “an opportunity and duty during the weeks before Prince’s death to diagnose and treat Prince’s opioid addiction, and to prevent his death. They failed to do so.” Prince’s family seeks damages in excess of $50,000.
Apple Music privately tests Android Auto integration.
Android users can sign up to test Apple Music’s Beta version 2.6.0. The beta includes several notable changes, including a search by lyrics function, new artist pages, Friends Mix, integration with Android Auto, and performance improvements for downloads, library loading, and content playback.
Cumulus and Westwood One’s Vice President of Social Media says goodbye.
Per All Access, Lori Lewis has exited Cumulus and Westwood One. She served for three years as Vice President of Social Media. Lewis had also served at Jacobs Media, Midwest Communication, and Clear Channel/iHeartMedia.
Apple Music announces a Director of Publicity.
Per Variety, Brian Bumbery, a veteran public relations strategist, will serve as Director of Apple Music Publicity. He has worked with Madonna, Green Day, Chris Cornell, and Metallica, with previous stints at Warner Bros. Records, indie PR company Score Press, and represented indie label Vagrant Records.
Faculty Management announces a key appointment.
Janelle Lopez will serve as General Manager at Faculty Management, a Los Angeles-based management company. She started her career at talent management company the Firm before joining Jared Paul at Azoff Geary Paul Management in 2004. Lopez joined Faculty in 2015.
BMLG appoints a new Senior VP of Promotion.
Jon Borris, former Head of Pop Promotion at Columbia Records, will serve as Senior Vice President of Promotion at Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) under the company’s strategic alliance with Republic Records. Based in New York, he’ll work with artists including Taylor Swift and Florida Georgia Line.
Lindsay Kemp passes away.
British choreographer Lindsay Kemp has passed away at his home. He was 80. Kemp had formed his own dance company and had a lengthy professional partnership with David Bowie.
Featured image by Veld Music Festival (CC by 2.0)