Primary Wave and Lava Media Unveil Music and Podcast Partnership (EXCLUSIVE)

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWhile there’d been vague talk about an Apple music channel for years, it was still a surprise when Apple Music TV suddenly appeared at 9 a.m. ET on Monday morning.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAs the music-rights acquisition spree led by Hipgnosis, Primary Wave, Round Hill and others continues to heat up, Warner Music has thrown its hat into the ring, notifying Wall Street Monday that its acquisition group has raised $250 million via a private offering, noting that it “intends to use the net proceeds of the offering to fund a portion of aggregate cash considerations of certain acquisitions.” The news was first reported by Music Business Worldwide.While

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorApple has launched Apple Music TV, a free 24-hour curated livestream of popular music videos that will also include “exclusive new music videos and premiers, special curated music video blocks, and live shows and events as well as chart countdowns and guests,” according to the announcement.Apple Music TV will be available to U.S. residents only on the Apple Music app and the Apple TV app.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMary Rahmani has been named Triller’s new global head of partnerships, the company announced today.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe pandemic has crushed the live-entertainment business, and concert venues in particular, all over the world — but New York’s may have been hit the hardest in the U.S. Due largely to the density of the city and its mass-gathering-based culture, the virus struck New York first and fastest, and has claimed nearly 33,000 lives.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn some respects, Phoenix frontman Thomas Mars and his bandmates were already prepared for the many creative pivots the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated.Even before the pandemic, the group had established what Mars (pictured above, second from right) describes as an “archiving system” from the in-person recording sessions for its 2017 album “Ti Amo” and forthcoming follow-up so that each member can complete any remaining work remotely.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor“It’s a strange time to release music,” James Blake says in the Cadillac Escalade ad below that includes a preview of his new EP, “Before,” which drops Wednesday. “I still want to give people music — I still want to have that release myself,” he continues.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLava Records founder Jason Flom (pictured above, right) has long been known as one of the most successful label heads and A&R reps of the past 30-odd years.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorNew York-based publisher Round Hill Music is aiming to raise $375 million for its new royalty fund when it on the London Stock Exchange next month, according to reports in the U.K.’s Times and Music Business Worldwide.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorRepublic Records has promoted Amaiya Davis to vice president of media/cultural impact & engagement, it was announced today by the company’s executive vice president of media & artist relations, Joseph Carozza. She is based at the label’s New York headquarters.Davis will continue to spearhead publicity campaigns for a diverse roster of artists, including City Morgue, Duckwrth, Kash Doll, Kiana Ledé, Lil Tecca and more, according to the announcenemt.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorOn World Mental Health Day, Saturday, October 10, MusiCares is launching a new Wellness in Music survey. According to the announcement, this new annual survey will help the organization to assess the music community’s mental health and wellness to better inform MusiCares of the needs facing their clients.“As we settle into month seven of the global pandemic, MusiCares is asking music professionals with 5+ years of experience to share their honest realities,

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorBritish soul singer Celeste has dropped the video for her new single “Hear My Voice,” via Interscope Records.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJay-Z and Meek Mill’s Reform Alliance announced today that it has bolstered its executive leadership team with the hiring of Janet Choi as Chief Content and Communications Officer.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorDuring her musical performance on “Saturday Night Live” last weekend, Megan Thee Stallion voiced strong opposition to Kentucky attorney general Daniel Cameron’s handling of the Breonna Taylor case.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorBack in February, Billie Eilish dropped “No Time to Die,” the theme song from the James Bond film of the same name.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorTwitch, the livestreaming and gaming platform owned by Amazon, now offers users a way to avoid avoid copyright takedowns when using music, although it has not yet licensed by major labels.The platform on Wednesday announced the beta launch of Soundtrack by Twitch, a music-streaming service within the platform that includes more than a million songs by independent artists that users can employ in their livestreams, legally and free of charge, with all rights cleared.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLast week, Universal Music Group and its Task Force for Meaningful Change (in partnership with UMG’s °1824 and Diversity & Inclusion teams, Def Jam Forward, Interscope/Geffen/A&M and Republic Record’s Action Committee), launched a series of special programs and discussions in celebration of this year’s Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Legislative Conference.The events are free and open to the public.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWhen you love something — a person, a dessert, a hat, or in this case, an album — you tend to want more of it. Usually, in the case of albums, there are some leftover songs that are not-quite-as-good as the ones that made the cut, and occasionally there are great ones.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorUTA announced that Samantha Kirby Yoh has been named co-head of UTA Music, joining David Zedeck in overseeing the company’s worldwide music operations.“Sam and David see eye-to-eye on how to build a great music business and will be strong partners in leading UTA Music,” said UTA CEO Jeremy Zimmer. “We have long admired Sam’s success working with unique and powerful artists, and we’re thrilled she has chosen to join us.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIf there’s a single artist or sound that encapsulates the rage and dread that 2020 have brought, it’s got to be Nine Inch Nails — and while there’s no shortage of music or imagery from the band’s past catalog to capture our current mood, they’ve rolled out a new series of “Pandemic 2020” merch that’s laser-focused on lockdown and the social dissatisfaction — to put it mildly — that many feel.There’s the “Mutation” T-shirt (“Time to mutate.