JJ Abrams’ Loud Robot Label Signs Sally Boy (EXCLUSIVE)

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorFinding talent early is a key component of being a good agent and being a good A&R person, so it’s surprising that more people don’t do both. Matt Galle is one of the few who does.

Angelique Jackson Actor, producer and director Clifton Collins Jr.

Season two of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City is delivering major drama!

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSometimes, when an artist makes a featured appearance on another artist’s song, you can tell that it’s just a payday — the featured artist got a nice check to add credibility to another artist that they don’t really know or maybe even respect.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJustin Bieber and Megan Thee Stallion led the nominations for MTV’s 2021 VMAs, which were unveiled by the network Wednesday.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe city council of Oakland, California has declared August 25 “Digital Underground Day” in honor of the legendary group’s frontman and co-founder Gregory “Shock G” Jacobs, who died in April. The pioneering 1990s hip-hop group is one of the most legendary to emerge from the Bay Area city — Tupac Shakur began his professional career as a member — and August 25 is Shock G’s birthday.“The shockwaves produced by Shock G and digital underground continue to reverberate

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAfter decades of waiting — and a comedic, snafu-filled attempt to get all three members on Instagram Live — De La Soul announced on Tuesday that their catalog, most of which has never been legally available on streaming services, will finally arrive on all major platforms later this year.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe comedy recordings by legendary singer, actor, and filmmaker Rudy Ray Moore have been sold to the independent label 800 Pound Gorilla Records by his longtime manager Donald H. Randell.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterSquishmallows, a top-selling range of plush toys that found a global audience during the pandemic, is giving a super-soft hug to its new agent.The range of collectibles will be represented in numerous areas by CAA, including film, television, video games, publishing, live touring and more.Produced by Jazwares, the toys have moved over 86 million units in over 40 countries since launching in 2017.

Angelique Jackson Actor and activist Kendrick Sampson has signed with M88, the independently operated representation firm founded in 2020 by Phillip Sun and Macro’s Charles D. King.Alongside M88, the star will also be represented by the firm’s sister company UNCMMN, which spotlights disruptive talent rooted in new media.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorOlivia Rodrigo, whose ‘Drivers License’ single and ‘Sour’ album have made her the breakout music star of 2021, has signed with Sony Music Publishing, the company announced on Wednesday (August 4).

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe Weeknd’s video for his new song “Take My Breath” — which has been previewed in an Olympics ad and on social media this week — was scheduled to air in Imax theaters before “Suicide Squad” this week, but has been pulled due to epilepsy warnings regarding to the “intense strobe lighting” in the clip, a source close to the situation tells Variety.The song, the first leading up to the Weeknd’s follow-up to his blockbuster “After Hours” album, will be released on

Angelique Jackson CAA has signed Academy Award nominee and Emmy-nominated “Indian Matchmaking” creator Smriti Mundhra for representation in all areas.Mundhra created and executive produced the Netflix original series, which is nominated for an Emmy award for outstanding unstructured reality program. “Indian Matchmaking” offered an inside look at the custom of matchmaking in Indian cultures through a contemporary lens.In 2020, Mundhra’s film, “St.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLegendary songwriter, guitarist and singer Johnny Marr — formerly of the Smiths, the The, Electronic and Modest Mouse and a veteran solo artist as well — has signed a new worldwide album deal with BMG. The deal is an expansion of Marr’s relationship with BMG as a publisher, which includes his three U.K.

Joe Otterson TV ReporterJared Christopher has signed with Verve, Variety has learned exclusively.News of the signing comes after Verve’s acquisition of New Deal Mfg. Co.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorReservoir Media, the fast growing music rights company that recently acquired the catalogs of members of Migos and Tommy Boy Records, has become a public company listing on NASDAQ. The company, which announced plans to go public back in April with a $788 million valuation, confirmed the closing of its previously announced business combination with Roth CH Acquisition II Co.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorRange Media Partners, the fast-growing management company launched last year, has entered into a worldwide distribution agreement with Capitol Music Group and Virgin Music & Artist Label Services.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorCanadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams, one of the most successful recording artists of the ‘80s and ‘90s, has signed a global recordings agreement with BMG to release his upcoming studio album, the company announced on Wednesday. It is his first new label deal after more than 40 years with Universal-affiliated labels, beginning with A&M, which released his eponymous debut album in 1980.In his commercial prime, Adams was one of the biggest artists in the world,

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn a clearly provocative move, rapper Da Baby brought out Tory Lanez during his set at the Rolling Loud Miami festival on Sunday night — right after a set by Megan Thee Stallion, who accused Lanez of shooting her in the foot last year.Lanez was brought out onstage during Da Baby’s set wearing an oversized costume, according to livestreamed video footage.