Music Industry Moves: Epic Records Ups Richard Foster to VP; Virgin Music Launches in Brazil

BTS’ Suga has commented on how labels treat artists, saying pushing them too hard is destroying the music industry.The rapper praised the group’s label Big Hit Music for “listen[ing] to the artist’s opinions”, and noted that artists aren’t always able to work to the same rate as when they first debuted.“The way artists work seems so difficult,” Suga told Weverse magazine.

Jennifer Garner is bringing back a fan-favourite guest on her Instagram “Pretend Cooking Show”.

Jack Antonoff has praised Taylor Swift for changing “the music industry first-hand”, after the singer faced a series of battles over her music.Speaking to NME for this week’s Big Read interview, Antonoff – who frequently produces Swift’s work – said of her: “I’ve seen her change the music industry first-hand.“She’s amazing for being a champion, and making things better for the generations to come. She has a long history of rightly exposing some real darkness in the music industry.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLive Nation has announced that Cindy Agi has joined its Concerts team as a Global Tour Promoter. In her new role, Agi will be responsible for building relationships with global touring artists and booking major international tours around the globe.Agi was previously the co-head of the hip-hop department at WME and was their first black female partner.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorTravis Barker has signed an exclusive worldwide administration deal with Warner Chappell Music, the publishing arm of Warner Music Group, the company announced Thursday (July 22).

U.K. band IDLES have shared a new track featuring Slowthai.

Pete Tong is set to receive the prestigious annual Music Industry Trusts Award at a ceremony later this year.The award will be given to Tong at a gala ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on November 1 in aid of the BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins.Speaking of receiving the award, which is now in its 30th year, Tong said: “It is a huge honour to be given the MITS Award and to have the opportunity to highlight two exceptional charities, The BRIT Trust and Nordoff Robbins.“The past year

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorOak View Group — the venue-development, advisory, and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries founded by Irving Azoff and Tim Lieweke — has announced a long-term partnership with Ticketmaster, the Live Nation-owned largest ticketing company in the world, covering six of OVG’s new arenas.

the popular marque’s machine travelled more than 6.5 miles per kWh of electrical energy.

coronavirus pandemic revenues by the year 2025, according to a new forecast.Live music is set to return without restrictions in England on Monday (July 19) following the UK government’s decision to go ahead with lifting the majority of coronavirus-enforced rules in the country.

Richard Branson, the swashbuckling owner of Virgin Galactic and media mogul, will take off for a sub-orbital flight on Sunday morning.

Vince Staples has spoken about how the music industry “monetises people’s struggles” and how that affects the image rappers try to sell.The rapper was asked about artists like Tekashi 6ix9ine and YNW Melly, who have used gang affiliation and songs about murder respectively to build their images.“This is a business where we monetise people’s struggles, pain, death and murder,” Staples told the Independent.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSinger-songwriter Chris Isaak has partnered with Primary Wave in a deal that sees the publishing company acquiring a 50% stake in his master recordings and signing with the legendary Sun Records for future recordings (which was recently acquired by Primary Wave).

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorCreative Artists Agency announced that it has signed all six members of New Edition: Ronnie DeVoe, Bobby Brown, Ricky Bell, Michael Bivins, Ralph Tresvant and Johnny Gill. The company will represent the group in all areas worldwide, including touring, theatre, literature, TV/film, production, composing and others.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorBrent Smith has left WME and joined Wasserman Music, the new company formed after Casey Wasserman acquired Paradigm’s North American music representation business, as executive vice present and managing executive, the company announced Tuesday (July 6).“As many of you know, the senior leadership team and I have been spending time with Brent Smith, and today I am pleased to share that he is joining Wasserman Music as EVP and Managing Executive,” Casey Wasserman wrote

Annie Mac has said that women in prominent roles within the music industry “should be a given, not an anomaly”.The DJ and presenter will leave BBC Radio 1 on July 30 after 17 years at the station, with Clara Amfo set to take over the weeknight Future Sounds show.Speaking to the Radio Times about her decision to step down (via The Guardian), Mac explained: “I feel annoyed being grateful that we have a female breakfast show presenter on Radio 2 [Zoe Ball] or 6 Music [Lauren Laverne].“We shouldn’t

Keanu Reeves-produced dystopian sci-fi series “Conquest” as well as “Black Mirror” episode “Striking Vipers,” Amazon Prime’s “September Mornings,” the Wachowskis’ “Sense8,” and multiple other shows from Netflix, as well as Amazon Prime, Disney and Fox.

the government’s proposed full easing of coronavirus lockdown restrictions in England from July 19.Prime Minister Boris Johnson today (July 5) announced details for the fourth and final stage of unlocking in England later this month, which is set to be confirmed next Monday (July 5) after a data review.

Jehnny Beth has written about ongoing mental health issues in the music industry and her hopes for younger artists to resist “age-old patriarchal abuse”.The Savages frontwoman and soloist, who last week released a collaborative album with Primal Scream‘s Bobby Gillespie, posted a video of herself holding a burning stick as a symbol of shining “a light” on the state of the industry.“Today I want to shine a light on mental health issues in the music industry, because it doesn’t happen just in pop