Ray BLK calls out “racist, homophobic” music industry

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorRed Bull Records has bulked up its staff with a number of hires and promotions. Nikki Cox will serve as the label’s Chief Marketing Officer, leading the organization’s efforts across marketing, digital, publicity, and streaming.

the announcement that Scotland’s music venues, cinemas, theatres and comedy clubs can reopen from May 17, although socially distanced audiences of up to 100 people will only be permitted at indoor venues.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorFive-time Grammy-winning rapper Lil Wayne has joined UTA, the company announced, for worldwide representation in all areas. With a catalog reaching back to the 1990s, Wayne is one of the most influential and successful rappers of all time.

Justice League star Ray Fisher has called out Warner Bros after the company posted a tweet following the verdict in the Derek Chauvin trial.Chauvin was found guilty of the second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter of George Floyd yesterday (April 20).Following the verdict, Warner Bros, tweeted the following: “While this verdict doesn’t bring back those we’ve so wrongly lost, we know that it brings us closer to significant change.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorUniversal Music Publishing Group has signed Ariana Grande/ Justin Bieber/ Blackpink collaborator Tommy Brown to an exclusive global publishing deal.Brown worked with Ariana Grande on all six of her studio albums, including executive producing the most recent album “Positions,” as well as co-producing “Holy” by Bieber, “Ice Cream” by Blackpink, “Make Believe” by Juice WLRD and more.Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of UMPG, said: “Tommy is the real deal.

CHIKA has announced her retirement from music, citing the “mental toll being in the industry” has had on her.The 2021 Grammy nominee made the announcement via her Twitter on April 11. In a candid statement, CHIKA said, “the mental toll being in the industry has taken on me is not something you bounce back from easily.”The 24-year-old also discussed the backlash she had received after earlier mentioning the prospect of retirement.“Today I told Twitter [about retiring],” she said.

William Earl Sony Music Publishing has signed Supah Mario (real name: Jonathan DeMario Priester, pictured) to a worldwide deal. The songwriter, producer and beatmaker has credits on Drake’s “What’s Next,” “Ice Melts” and “Blue Tint” as well as “Wyclef Jean” by Young Thug; “That Way,” “Myron” and “Silly Watch” by Lil Uzi Vert; “Diamonds Talkin’ Back” by 2 Chainz; and Big K.R.I.T.’s “Mixed Messages.” The South Carolina native is currently working with Lil Uzi Vert, Swae Lee and Post Malone.

Spotify, the brainchild of Swedish entrepreneurs Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon, changed all that. Founded in Stockholm on April 23, 2006, and seeking a solution to the industry’s piracy problem, the on-demand audio-streaming service was built on the understanding that consumers who aren’t inclined to buy a specific album or song might be willing to pay for ease of access to a large library of music.

Grabbing the mic! Maren Morris isn’t afraid to use her voice — even if it means speaking out against her fellow country music stars.

Antonio Ferme editorFollowing rapper DMX’s death on Friday morning, fellow musicians, fans and industry professionals took to social media to remember his storied career.Def Jam Recordings, who last collaborated with DMX on his album “Grand Champ” in 2003, released a statement honoring the late rapper.“Def Jam Recordings and the extended Def Jam family of artists, executives and employees are deeply and profoundly saddened by the loss of our brother Earl ‘DMX’ Simmons,” the record label said.

Taylor Swift’s lockdown work ethic is making the rest of us look bad. Not content with releasing two of 2020’s biggest albums, Folklore and Evermore, in the latter half of last year, the singer will embark on a new phase of her career on Friday when she unveils a re-recording of her 2008 album Fearless.

Rebecca Ferguson has demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the music industry to protect artists' welfare. The X Factor star, who performed on the show back in 2010, shared a lengthy statement on her official Twitter page explaining her intentions as she's due to meet the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Oliver Downden, next month.

Jedward rocked the media with a series of accusatory tweets against the X Factor and the music industry recently and now they seem to have spurred on more of their fellow contestants to speak out.

Rebecca Ferguson has called for parliamentary action to trigger an “overhaul” of the music industry and the “bullying” that she alleges to be taking place within it.It comes after it was confirmed that the former X Factor contestant will meet with Secretary of State Oliver Dowden in May to discuss the welfare and treatment of musicians within the industry.A letter on the singer’s behalf stated: “The music industry is currently very much front of mind with the Commons Select Committee as the

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAttorney Joel Katz, former founding chairman of Greenberg Traurig’s entertainment and media practice and a top official at the Recording Academy, has joined Barnes & Thornburg. He will remain based in Atlanta, where he will serve as as senior counsel for the firm’s entertainment, media and sports practice.

S10 Entertainment has named Josh Hallbauer the company’s VP of business & operations as well as head of publishing, the company announced Wednesday, with Hallbauer (seen above, right) reporting to CEO Brandon Silverstein (above left) in the L.A. office.“We’re excited to welcome Josh to the team,” said Silverstein, who founded S10 as a multi-faceted management, publishing,  label and investment company.