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Olly Alexander on the verge of 'break-up' over Eurovision Israel riot – Music News

Olly Alexander is nearing a 'breakdown' amid intense pressure to step down as a contestant at this year's British Eurovision.

The Years and Years singer, 33, is set to represent Britain in next week's competition with her song 'Dizzy', but there have been fierce calls for her to withdraw due to Israel's involvement in the show. , fans are outraged by Israel's national injustice. Air strikes on Gaza continue.

Speaking about his depressed look at a recent Eurovision pre-party in London, Olly told The Times: I locked myself in my room so I wouldn't break down.

“Normally you go on stage and turn it on, but I just felt like I couldn't do that.

“It was very difficult… I couldn’t keep it together, so I felt embarrassed and ashamed of myself.”

Ms Olly also reportedly started crying during her conversation with the newspaper, adding:

“And this is much bigger than me and Eurovision, it really is.

“Of course I wish there were no wars or this insane humanitarian crisis. I want peace, but this experience felt very…really sad and painful at times.

“But I still believe that it's good when people come together for entertainment. That's why I wanted to do Eurovision.”

A week before the Eurovision showcase, Ollie signed a petition by Queers for Palestine, a group of over 450 queer artists, individuals and organizations calling for the withdrawal of Eurovision as part of a protest against Israel's involvement. in response to an open letter.

Olly and his fellow Eurovision contestants said the performance would go on.

He said in a statement: “It is important for us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and convey our heartfelt wishes for peace, an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages.

“We stand united against all forms of hatred, including anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

“We strongly believe in the unifying power of music, allowing people to transcend differences and foster meaningful conversations and connections. We strongly believe that this space will inspire greater compassion and empathy. As we hope, we feel it is our duty to create and maintain this space.”

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Troye Sivan explores joy in new Honey remix – Music News

Troye Sivan celebrates 'what brings us joy' with a series of remixes of 'Honey'.

The 28-year-old singer collaborated with luxury ice cream brand Magnum and music producer and DJ Masa Mura to create three mood-inspired versions of his song “Honey.” Each version is designed around three different themes: Euphoria, Wonder and Chill – and an all-new remix forms part of the 'Honey – Remix EP'.

Troy said: “It has been an amazing journey working with Magnum® to create these tracks.

“They celebrate what brings us joy. I've been a big fan of Mura Masa for a long time, and these remixes of my song 'Honey' are more than just music, they're a celebration of what brings us joy. An invitation to explore the world. Whether it's Euphoria, Wonder or Chill, I've had so much fun working on this project and can't wait for you to experience it. ”

The remix is ​​inspired by the all-new Magnum Pleasure Express range, which includes Euphoria Pink Lemonade, Wonder Golden Toffee and Chill Blueberry Cookie, and the EP will be released on May 16th in Cannes, France, where Magnum has been based for more than a decade. It will be released on. .

During the live listening party, Troy fans can tune into the livestream on Magnum's YouTube channel and decide which new songs they want to hear first.

Listeners will be taken on a journey of indulgent pleasure as they experience three new tracks before the full version of the “Honey” EP is released via Spotify at 2pm CET.

Celebrating the launch with a star-studded night of entertainment, Troy will host its annual Magnum Beach Party in Cannes, and exclusive content from the bash will appear on the ice cream brand's socials on TikTok, X and Instagram.

For more information on the #WhereverPleasureTakesYou campaign, visit https://www.magnumicecream.com/whereverpleasuretakesyou.

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Britney Spears, Chateau Marmont incident: Singer blasts 'fake news', claims ambulance was for 'twisted ankle'

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Britney Spears on Thursday downplayed photos that appeared to show her being escorted by paramedics from a luxury Hollywood hotel, all showing her ankle, despite growing concern among fans about her recent behavior. He claimed it was caused by a sprain.

US tabloid media published a photo of the pop star leaving Los Angeles' Chateau Marmont barefoot on April 2, clutching a blanket and hotel pillow.

Spears, 42, was reportedly seen by medical staff but did not get into an ambulance.

She later appeared to shut down gossip reports about her spat with rumored boyfriend Paul Richard Soliz by sharing a message to her fans on Instagram: “This news is fake.”

The Independent has contacted Spears' representatives for comment.

“Just to let people know…this news is fake!” Spears wrote in an Instagram message shared on the evening of May 2.

“I [twisted] “I hurt my ankle last night and the paramedics illegally showed up at my door,” she added. “They never came into my room, but I totally felt that way.” [sic] I was harassed. I'm moving to Boston! peace. “

In a second post, “Oops! I Did It Again” star shared a video of her visibly swollen ankle and said she injured herself while trying to “jump” in a hotel suite.

“Last night, I stupidly really twisted my ankle,” she said. “That's so bad. Some fucking idiot here tried to jump in the chateau's living room and I fell, embarrassed myself, and that was it. The paramedics illegally came to my house and of course they broke this whole mess. I caused it, but all I needed was ice.”

“It's actually in pretty bad shape,” she said, apparently referring to her ankle. “This is what happens.”

Spears also posted a photo of her attorney, Matthew Rosengart. Rosengart is known for successfully freeing the “Toxic” singer from a long-standing conservatorship that controlled her personal and professional life for more than 13 years.

“This guy is amazing,” she told fans. “He's like a father to me and he got me through last night. I adore and respect you, Mr. Matthew!”

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The incident at the chateau coincided with Spears officially reaching a divorce settlement with her soon-to-be ex-husband, 30-year-old model and actor Sam Asghari.

Britney Spears and Sam Asghari announce they will separate in 2022, approximately 13 months after marriage (Invision 2019)

Court documents filed Thursday, May 2, provide few details, but say neither Spears nor Asghari will receive future spousal support. It is likely that a judge will soon agree to a stipulated resolution and declare them both single.

Spears and Asghari announced their separation in July 2023, about 13 months after they married and seven years after they started dating. Asghari filed for divorce in August.

The couple tied the knot in a private ceremony at Spears' home in June 2022 in front of celebrity guests including Madonna, Paris Hilton, Drew Barrymore, and Selena Gomez.

Last week, Spears also reached a settlement with her estranged father, Jamie Spears, over lingering issues with the court conservatorship that has controlled her personal life and business for more than 13 years. This means both sides will avoid what could have been a long and ugly trial that was scheduled to begin later this month.

Britney Spears and her estranged father avoid what could have been a long and bitter trial. (Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Although Spears initially enjoyed and celebrated her newfound freedom, she quickly seemed to resent the continued scrutiny from fans and media as she tried to move on with her life. .

Last January, she pleaded with a fan who allegedly sent police to her home to perform a welfare check after deleting her Instagram account.

Months later, she was forced to reassure her followers by posting a video of herself dancing with what appeared to be a kitchen knife, claiming it was fake. The video reportedly sparked calls for her second welfare check.

“I know I surprised you all with my last post, but these are fake knives that my team borrowed from a hand prop shop in Los Angeles. These are not real knives,” the singer wrote in the caption. wrote.

“No one should be concerned or call the police,” Spears wrote at the time. “I'm trying to imitate some of my favorite things. [sic] Performer Shakira…this is the performance that inspired me! Cheers to all of us bad girls who aren't afraid to push the limits and take risks. ”

Britney Spears asks fans not to call the police as she releases her second 'Knife' dance video in a week. (Britney Spears)

The pop star, who has said she has no intention of returning to music, released her memoir “The Woman in Me'' in October last year, which drew widespread attention and reflected on the past 20 years of her life.

Among the book's many revelations are her feelings toward her family, including her father Jamie Spears and sister Jamie Lynn, her treatment by the media, and memories of her relationship with fellow pop star Justin Timberlake. was included.

Additional reporting by agency

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Olly Alexander: “ABBA made the best pop music ever made” – Music News

Olly Alexander joins Rebecca Judd on Apple Music 1 for a special episode of 'The Rebecca Judd Show' and talks about his performance at Eurovision 2024, new music, the success of Years & Years and his solo career Discuss your decision to start. He also talks about the support he received from his hometown, guest appearances on EastEnders, and how ABBA influenced his music.

Olly Alexander talks about why Eurovision is the next step in his career…

We finished touring for the album last year and started working on the next album at the beginning of last year. All of the new music was created with Danny L. Haar. Danny L. Harle is a great producer and he also loves Eurovision. And we were talking about Eurovision and thought it would be really cool to take one of our songs to Eurovision. Wouldn't that be a lot of fun? I'm coming back with new music and it's a great platform, so I thought the timing made sense. For any artist. So I thought, “Okay, this could be an advantage for me.” And I love putting on shows, so I thought, “Why not give it a try?”

Olly Alexander talks about the success of Years & Years and the experience it gave him.

In a way, I think that helped. It's obviously good to gain experience and know a little bit of what it's like to have to perform on stage under pressure. But on the other hand, I think there are some people who are like, “Okay, we've seen what you can do, so you've got to really impress us.''

Olly Alexander talks about Eurovision results and wanting to make Britain proud…

No matter what the result is, I just do my best and give a performance that I'm proud of, and after that it doesn't really matter. Just participating is enough for me. Of course I want to do well and mainly I want to be proud of myself, but of course I want to make Britain proud, but you never know what will happen. not. So we'll have to wait and see.

Olly Alexander talks about performing and releasing a new album under his own name rather than Years & Years…

Obviously, some people know me as Olly from Years and Years, and some people don't, so in a way there's less pressure. do you understand? They'll say, “Oh, your voice sounds a lot like the guy from Years and Years.” “He's my biggest idol.” So I think maybe it's like a brand new, fresh, new artist for people to discover. It's obviously very exciting as well. And I think it's great to start a new chapter with a little bit of freshness, a little bit of newness. It was really good. I obviously love Years and Years, but I think it feels good to start a new chapter. I'm working on a new album, which I'm just finishing and I can't wait. I'm very happy with it and can't wait for it to be released.

Olly Alexander talks about guest starring on EastEnders…

Ollie Alexander: That was the highlight of my career. I think they just got in touch and said, “Would Olly be interested in doing a little walk-on little cameo in an episode of EastEnders?” And of course I was like, “Please, yes, let me.” I grew up watching EastEnders, so it's my mum's favorite TV show. I knew that if she saw me, she would just lose her mind. And it was a very enjoyable experience. I just showed up at the Vic and had a drink. I can't say much about it since it hasn't been released yet, but it was really great. I met a lot of icons, Natalie Cassidy, Pat Just icons. And it was a wonderful, wonderful day. It was just a dream. I want to return. I want a repeating story.

Rebecca Judd: Tell me, the Queen Vic actually smells like a pub. please tell me. Otherwise, my dreams will be shattered. Does it smell like a pub?

Olly Alexander: It does smell a bit like a pub, it's got real kegs in it so maybe it's fake ale, but it smells like leftover beer. So there was some truth to it.

Olly Alexander talks about other Eurovision contestants…

This year is a really strong year. There are a lot of really great performers. I love the Spanish work “Nebulossa”. A great pair. And I love the Ukrainian girl Alyona Alyona. I'm friends with Irish artist Bumby and Swiss artist Nemo. Nemo is the winner. I think they'll probably win. they are really great. Sylvester from Lithuania. There are a lot of really cute and wonderful artists. I’m so excited to see them kill it on stage and take off. And Luna from Poland. There are a lot of really sweet mustis from Belgium. There are also a lot of really great LGBTQ artists, which is really great to see.

Olly Alexander talks about support from home…

I'm very touched, I'm getting a lot of support from home and they're a really nice group of people. I think they're going to see this movie at their local movie theater. This is a small, locally owned movie theater. I really appreciate your support.

Olly Alexander talks about his love for ABBA and how they influenced his music.

ABBA created some of the best pop music ever made. They have an incredibly wide range, and many of their songs truly take you on a journey. They weren't afraid to use unusual chord sequences or unusual progressions, and they're clearly always focused on melody and hooks, which sounds obvious. And obviously, singers use that range, their entire range, all the time. So I always try to do that with my music. Using the full range of the melody, this is where the chorus will come, but after that you can add some modulation or maybe even introduce another chord sequence. And ABBA always nailed it. They're all really complicated songs. ABBA's songs are very difficult, which is why not many people cover them.

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Kany Garcia's “Garcia” etc.

Alejandro Pazminho

New Music Latin is a collection of the best new Latin songs and albums recommended by Billboard's Latin editors and Billboard Español editors. Check out this week's picks below.

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Check out the latest videos, charts and news

Check out the latest videos, charts and news

Kany Garcia, Garcia (5020 Records)

“Garcia,” the title track of Puerto Rican singer-songwriter Kani Garcia's new album, is a letter from Garcia to himself, addressed to a young and vulnerable Kani and an equally vulnerable modern star. (“I'm afraid of losing myself in this wave of fiction''). Garcia always entertains us with his beautifully written songs and lyrical storytelling. And here she focuses on herself, and she completely understands why her songwriting works so well. Even when she tells someone else's story, it's always in her voice and words. . That essence is in every track on this meticulously crafted, yet highly commercial, album, which also includes Young Miko (who won her award at last year's Billboard Latin Music Week). It includes previously released collaborations with Garcia's longtime fans, Karin Leon, Cristian Nodal, and more. It's a nod to Garcia's innate inquisitiveness as an artist exploring other genres. Her Garcia's album is a happy reminder that her quality and commercial success can coexist. — Leila Cobo

Piso 21 & Wisin “La Misión” (Warner Music Mexico)

For their first collaboration, Piso 21 and Wisin unleash “La Misión” (The Mission). Produced by iCON Music, the track is a perfect blend of both worlds: Piso's melodic pop sound and Wisin's blistering reggaeton beats. In “La Misión,” a Colombian group and a Puerto Rican rapper take on the ultimate mission of breaking up a relationship (or rather, stealing the woman of his dreams from his partner). “I was told life goes by so fast / It’s too much to be with someone so basic / I’m not that type of person, but I’ve become a romantic / That she won’t say no.” “I hope/If he doesn’t care,” they sing in the infectious chorus, “She, I will.” — Jessica Royce

Silvestre Dangondo & Carlos Vives “Tú o Yo” (Sony Music Latin)

“Either you sing to her or I sing to her,” says the chorus of “Tu O Yo,” a catchy vallenato pop that features Colombian stars Silvestre D’Angondo and Carlos Vives together for the first time. says: The song, co-written by Vives and Dangondo and produced by Andres Castro, tells the story of two friends competing for the love of a woman.

In a statement regarding the release, Dangondo expressed his excitement for the collaboration. “Carlos Vives was and still is my idol,” he says. “I've always looked at him and used him as a reference. I feel very happy. I feel like I achieved something that was in me. I knew it was going to happen at any moment. But we didn't know when it would happen.'' The hilarious music video was shot in Miami and stars Mexican actress Barbara de Reguil, as both sides try to thwart each other's efforts to conquer the protagonist. Shows all strategies used. — Luisa Cull

Fonseca, Tropicalia (Sony Music Latin)

Fonseca presents TROPICALIA, an extraordinary work that pays homage to his tropical roots and influences that have inspired his career and are an intricate part of his sound. The 11-track album features collaborations with notable artists such as Juan Luis Guerra, Gilberto Santa Rosa, Chucho Valdez, Alex Cuba, Grupo Nicci, and more from this iconic band. This is the first and only collaboration released by.

This set features the tropical sounds of Latin American music, from the vibrant sounds of patio vallenato on the track “Canto a la Vida” to the upbeat merengue rhythms of the entirely American-produced “Pedacito de Playa.” is a diverse mix. We visited the Dominican Republic with the help of local musicians such as Janina Rosado on the piano (4 minutes 40 seconds), her husband “Chocolate” on the drums, and Gila from the Dominican Republic. The album also includes “La Terquedad,” a ranchera that speaks of heartache with melancholy acoustic guitar, violin, trumpet, and mariachi accompaniment. — Ingrid Fajardo

Lasso & Mau y Ricky “Bilingües” (Universal Music Group Mexico)

Love may not be as universal a language as believed. At least that's what Lasso hints at with his new song “Bilingües” with Mau y Ricky. This pop-rock track is the first single from the Latin Grammy-winning Venezuelan singer and songwriter's upcoming album, about the complicated relationship between a man who only speaks Spanish and a woman who only speaks English. Masu. “When you tell me you love me, I know you feel nothing, nothing, nothing/You tell me you want to see me, and you tell me I don't miss you, nothing, nothing, nothing / I don't know if you're playing with your heart or it's just a bad translation The phrase has become part of the earworm chorus Masu. Recently, Russo published a series of videos on Instagram titled “The Worst Time I Was Rejected in My Life,” in which he passionately recounts his experiences trying and failing in a bilingual relationship. At least it left him inspired to write some really nice songs. — Sigal Ratner-Arias

Eladio Carrion, Porque Puedo (Limas Entertainment)

With his latest EP, Porque Puedo, Eladio Carrión not only doubles down on the bravado of Latin trap, he fully embodies it, living up to the album's bold title. After the more mainstream release of Sol María, Carrión returned to the forefront, showcasing effortless ingenuity and sharp wordplay across his five tracks. From the eerie “Don KBRN Freestyle” to the bilingual excellence of “Códico G,” he brings lyrical mastery to his patterns with menacing beats and mesmerizing hi-hats.

But it's “Heavyweight” that truly steals the spotlight, with the Umacao rapper unleashing verses about diamond dripping and confidence while “smoking a heavyweight.” Set against a night-vision aesthetic that further deepens the EP's moody atmosphere, the visually demanding music of his videos, Carrion exudes relaxed luxury, adorned with his signature rose necklace. The new drop arrived the day before they returned to the Coliseo de Puerto Rico stage on May 2nd. “While spending time at home with his family, he began working on music,” Eladio Carrion said in a statement. “Everything has become porque puedo. I thought what is the best time to give this to my true fans who are preparing to see me in El Choli?” — Isabella Raigoza

Danny Ocean, Reflexa (Atlantic Recording Corp.)

The Venezuelan artist's music doesn't sound like anything at the moment, which is probably why Danny Ocean is labeling his latest album future pop. The singer-songwriter's third studio album, the 12-song set is perhaps Danny's most personal album to date, but sonically it's also his most experimental, and it's still Danny's most personal yet. -Sounds very similar to Ocean.

While navigating life's most relatable themes such as heartbreak, lust, love, and the desire to live authentically, he mixes in edgier, more eye-catching styles such as electro and Middle Eastern influences. Together, they enhance his signature pop sound. Reflexa established Danny His Ocean as an artist who could deliver his pop hits without resorting to trite or cheesy lyrics. He's down-to-earth, raw, and overly honest about his life, and he's also an ardent guardian of the art he puts out into the world. — Griselda Flores

Hear more of our editors' Latin picks in the playlist below.

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Best Albums Coming May 3: All Songs Considered: NPR

Dua Lipa's third album, Radical Optimism, is yet another adventure in pop music's time machine. Tyrone Lebon/Courtesy of the artist Hide caption

Toggle caption Tyrone Lebon/Courtesy of the artist

Dua Lipa's third album, Radical Optimism, is yet another adventure in pop music's time machine.

Tyrone Lebon/Courtesy of the artist

On New Music Friday, May 3, NPR Music's Hazel Sills and WRTI's Nate Chinen talk about dance-pop superstar Dua Lipa's new album, Radical Optimism, the latest in a string of hotly anticipated new albums for 2024 from big-name artists who've felt like pop-music mainstays over the past few years. (Other contenders for our attention this spring include Ariana Grande, Kacey Musgraves, Beyoncé, and Taylor Swift, with Billie Eilish joining that list in just a few weeks.)

The new songs on Radical Optimism are largely in the vein of Dua Lipa's previous work — her further adventures as the pilot of pop music's time machine, if you like — but that in itself may be a reason to remain combatively upbeat. Her string of hits from her last album, Future Nostalgia, have proven to have incredible staying power; “Levitating” stayed in the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100 chart for nearly a year; she contributed the hit “Dance the Night” to last year's cultural juggernaut, Barbie. Still, Hazel and Nate say the new album offers some hints of a surprising artistic development in her sound.

But Radical Optimism isn't the only notable album released this week: new records by incomparable folk songwriter Jessica Pratt and the ever-ambitious jazz virtuoso and saxophonist Kamasi Washington express their unique sounds in new and deeply challenging ways.

Featured Albums:
• Dua Lipa, Radical Optimism
• Jessica Pratt, Here in the Pitch
• Kamasi Washington, Fearless Movement

Other notable albums releasing on May 3rd include:
• Willow, empathy
• Mdouh Mokhtar, “Funeral for Justice”
• Steph Richards, Power Vibes
• Charlotte Day Wilson, Cyan Blue
• Luke Stewart's Silt Trio, Unknown Rivers
• 4batz, you made me st4r
• Camera Obscura, Looking East, Looking West
• Ibibio sound machine, pulling rope
• The Lemon Twigs, “Dreams Know Us All”
• Sia: Reasonable Woman
• Chris Smither, “About Bones”
• Frank Turner, undefeated
• Yuja Wang, Vienna Recital

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This week's best new music release poll

From radically optimistic pop songs to unflinchingly pessimistic diss tracks, this week is full of notable new releases.

Dua Lipa returned on Friday (May 3) with her long-awaited third album, Radical Optimism. The album is an 11-song dance-pop set that sees the star move away from the disco-infused future-nostalgia sheen in favor of a more summery sound. This is also her most personal project to date, with Ripa telling Billboard that she “felt very free to tell her story and talk about her own experiences.” Told.

Operating on a completely different wavelength is Kendrick Lamar, who delivered not one but two vengeful songs targeting Drake this week: “Euphoria” and “6:16 in LA.” did. No aspect of Drizzy's artistry or personal life can be resisted by the “Money Trees” rapper, who gushed about Drizzy: “I hate the way you walk, I hate the way you talk/I hate the way you dress/I do.” Ta. I don’t like the way you secretly diss…”

The week was also packed with big collaborations, with Imagine Dragons and J Balvin teaming up for “Eyes Closed,” and Kane Brown teaming up with Marshmello for 2019's “One Thing Right” duet. He released a follow-up to the song “Miles on It.” In addition, Gunna released a new single, “WhatsApp (Wassam),'' a week before the fast-tracked release of her One of Wun album, and Willow released her sixth studio record, Empathogen. .

This week offers such a variety of new music releases that it might be hard to pick just one favorite. Either way, we want to know your top choice, so let us know by voting in the poll below.

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Lucian Grainge asserts UMG's TikTok deal terms in internal memo

As Universal Music Group (UMG) artists prepare to return to TikTok under a newly finalized licensing agreement, major label head Lucian Grainge has revealed the terms of the deal.

While many media outlets (and relieved TikTok users) have focused on the new UMG-TikTok partnership, relatively little attention has been paid to the specifics of the partnership. For reference, Universal Music raised concerns about the video-sharing app's proposed rewards, royalty calculation policies, AI practices, and alleged user safety flaws when it began its licensing showdown in late January. Ta.

Now, an internal memo written by Grainge says, UMG It was shared with the team (affiliates and partners may have also received the message) and DMN, revealing some details of the new deal.

Of course, this point is clearly important not only to Universal Music, but also to artists and other companies outside of UMG, given the label's role in driving the industry-wide licensing framework. So it looks like a variety of artists are poised to benefit in the long run if TikTok changes its royalty structure accordingly.

Closer to the present, Lucien Grainge covered key areas in his memo, including AI, and said TikTok is “showing respect for the work and 'rights of publicity' of artists and songwriters” and “many It is said that he made a promise to text.

The 64-year-old made clear his support for “UMG's principles on AI, including non-consensual training.” In addition, the new agreement establishes a relatively robust system for removing “'fake artist' AI content uploaded by third parties without permission,” Grainge said.

As expected, in addition to highlighting the deal's enhanced financial language, the executive also said that the total amount awarded to UMG artists “will align more closely with other platforms in the social music category.” is the industry.

“Revenue sources from several categories that are currently ‘free to consumer’ (ad-supported streaming, synchronization, neighboring rights, etc.) account for more than 30% of total global recorded music industry revenue. , almost double what it was 10 years ago,” Grainge wrote of the growing importance of social listening and the push for better rewards on TikTok. “For some artists, this represents 20% to 40% of their recording income.”

Finally, on the user safety front, TikTok has “agreed to take steps to address concerns about the integrity of the platform and the negative impact of social media on our users,” Grainge said.

These measures are not yet clear, but as the UMG CEO has stated, they will include “safeguards such as policies and tools to prevent and remediate hate speech and bullying,” as well as ” It will also include “key measures to help combat deepfakes” and infringement actions. content.

It will be worth paying attention to future measures. In a release forwarded to DMN, TikTok used the word “safety” only once when touting its general efforts to “strengthen online safety protections for artists and their fans.”

Grainge did not mention that Taylor Swift is not part of the new TikTok deal. There was also no mention in his internal comments that the platform was eyeing a possible ban in today's biggest music market.

Here are Grainge's full notes on TikTok's new deal.

Dear Colleagues,

We are very happy to share the good news that our dispute with TikTok has ended with a clearly positive outcome. TikTok has agreed to important changes in several key areas, including artificial intelligence, platform safety, and compensation, and we plan to license TikTok again. Music for them.

This agreement is designed to help guide the industry's evolution toward a future where human artistry is respected, artists and songwriters are treated fairly, and fans are provided with a platform that prioritizes safety and integrity. This represents another important step that we have taken.

We would like to express how grateful we are for the support we have received from so many corners of the global music community over the past few months. Artist rights organizations, independent labels, music publishers, music advocacy groups, and of course so many individual artists and songwriters have recognized the importance of what we are trying to achieve and have openly expressed their support. He did. They came together in purpose and strengthened our resolve to fight for the results we achieved – a deal that benefits not only UMG artists and songwriters, but the entire music ecosystem.

As an organization committed to breaking new ground, advancing the industry, and protecting artists and songwriters from the negative effects of disruptive technology, we anticipate the inevitable conflicts that will arise from delivering on that promise, and we also accepts it. But ultimately, the point of engaging in conflicts like this is to find higher common ground to bring about progress. I'm extremely proud of what our team and artists were able to accomplish through TikTok, finding common ground to build the foundation for a brighter future.

Three months ago, on January 30th, we published an open letter to the artist and songwriter community stating that any new agreement with TikTok must address three key issues: did.

* Protecting artists and songwriters from the harmful effects of AI and the dilution of copyright royalties due to the flood of AI content.
*Improve the compensation paid to artists and songwriters.and
*We prioritize online safety for both TikTok users and artists.

To convey the essence of what we have accomplished, we will highlight the accomplishments we have made on all three issues in the context of why these issues are so important to UMG and to all of us as a community. .

I. Protecting human artists from the negative effects of AI

TikTok has now addressed the key concern we expressed in our open letter that AI-generated content “significantly dilutes the royalty pool for human artists.” Additionally, they make a number of promises regarding AI that show respect for the work of artists and songwriters and their “right of publicity,” as well as support for his UMG principles regarding AI, including non-consensual training. .

When used responsibly, AI technology offers huge untapped potential for artists, but when used irresponsibly, it can cause serious harm to artists. UMG has led the industry in harnessing the opportunities of AI while addressing its potentially harmful impacts. Our Responsible AI initiative, launched last year, puts protecting artists and advancing their interests at the heart of how we think about AI. The goals of this initiative are:

*Protect human artists from being economically disadvantaged by AI.
*Prevent the use of AI-generated deepfakes.and
*There needs to be transparency into how AI companies train their models.

New agreement with TikTok protects the integrity and value of human artistry and ensures the removal of “fake artist” AI content uploaded by third parties that misuse artists' identities and violate publicity rights. This is what you do. This new agreement further extends protections for artists and fosters a better environment for authentic artist and fan engagement.

This transaction is just the latest example of how we are advancing our AI initiatives. Over the last year, with artists at the forefront of our strategy as always, we have developed relationships with a wide range of leading technology companies and entrepreneurs, and are collaborating with a growing number of companies on a variety of market-driven opportunities and approaches. Ta. Responsible use of AI.

II. Improved compensation for artists and songwriters

Under the new deal, artist and songwriter compensation will be higher than under the previous TikTok deal, and the total amount UMG artists and songwriters will earn from this partnership will be more closely aligned with other platforms in the social music category. become. Additionally, TikTok has implemented tools and processes to address issues of provenance and attribution, helping artists and songwriters monetize their work more effectively.

As technology evolves and allows fans to enjoy and consume music in new ways and from new sources, artists and songwriters benefit from the revenue generated from those new sources for the health and vitality of the music industry. You need to be compensated fairly. Social media is an important category to achieve this goal.

In 2017, as the growth of social media transformed culture, UMG and Facebook signed a first-ever deal to monetize what hadn't already been monetized: the use of music on social platforms . Since his initial deal with Facebook, the continued growth of social media and its involvement in free consumer music has been remarkable.

In fact, this revenue stream from social music initiatives generates tens of billions of dollars in advertising revenue for digital platforms. (And that consumer engagement greatly benefits the platforms in other ways as well, allowing them to acquire customers for other businesses, such as e-commerce.) Given the huge amount of money they generate, whatever their claims of “free promotion” may be, they can still provide enough money and fair compensation for the use of their music. It's unreasonable.

Revenue sources from several categories that are now “free to consumers” (ad-supported streaming, synchronization, neighboring rights, etc.) account for more than 30% of the global recorded music industry's total revenue, and It has almost doubled. Ten years ago. For some artists, this amounts to between 20% and 40% of their income from recordings.

Keeping in mind the commercial importance of this sector, over the past few months we have accelerated our engagement with music on other monetized social platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram and YouTube Shorts. And our recent deal with Spotify gives us access to a range of new features previously available only on social media platforms, further expanding the very definition of the social music category. In short, revenue from social media is an increasingly important source of income for artists, songwriters, labels, and publishers, which is why we have and continue to focus on protecting and advancing social media. I will put more effort into it.

III. Providing online safety for TikTok users and artists

Under our new agreement, TikTok has agreed to take steps to address our concerns about the integrity of the platform and the negative impact of social media on our users.

The harmful consequences of unmonitored social media have been making headlines recently. Working to promote the safety and integrity of the environment for artists and their fans is an important part of our mission.

Our agenda concerns regarding TikTok include safeguards such as policies and tools to prevent and remediate hate speech and bullying. Some of our platform integrity measures include important steps to help address deepfakes, infringing content, unauthorized content, and algorithmic manipulation.

Finally, I'd like to say a little more about the unprecedented support we've received from the music community, especially the individual artists and songwriters who have spoken out in various forums. Of particular note are those who signed the recent Artist Rights Alliance open letter calling on tech platforms to embrace AI responsibly, rather than at the expense of recording artists and songwriters. Their widespread support underscored the importance of strengthening AI protections. In particular, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to all of the UMG artists and songwriters who have had to endure the removal of their music from TikTok during the conflict over the past few months. We understand how difficult this has been for some of them and we are so grateful for their willingness to pursue the path we have chosen. I have no doubt that their advocacy will positively impact the future of the industry for all artists, both publicly and behind the scenes.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this possible. This is another example of what the music community can achieve when we work together.

lucian

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SAG-AFTRA Members Ratify Major Label AI Protection Agreement

SAG-AFTRA members voted unanimously to ratify the 2024 Sound Recording Code with major record labels, approving new agreements with breakthrough AI protections and compound wage increases.

The national voting will be completed on April 30th, and SAG-AFTRA members will select the 2024 Sound Project with major labels such as Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Universal Music Group, and Disney Music Group. 97.69% voted in favor of ratifying the Recording Code. subsidiary label. The new contract period is from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2026.

Central to the new agreement are artificial intelligence guardrails, effective immediately. In this agreement, the terms “artist,” “singer,” and “royalty artist” include only human beings, and require minimum compensation requirements and specific details of intended use before the release of a sound recording. and “clear and conspicuous consent” is obtained. Use a digital reproduction of the artist's voice.

Other changes include an increase in the minimum wage, resulting in a compounded total wage increase of 26.3% over the period. It also includes health and retirement improvements, including an increase in the general contribution rate and an increase in the percentage of streaming revenue covered by contributions, which is expected to reach 100% by the end of the period on December 31, 2026.

“Singers and recording artists have a huge impact on our culture, and we are thrilled to have achieved an agreement that not only recognizes their value with significant pay increases, but also provides essential protections around artificial intelligence. ,” SAG said. AFTRA Chairman Fran Drescher. “We celebrate the human performer! We applaud the negotiating committee, staff, record company, and SAG-AFTRA members for getting this deal to the finish line.”

“This agreement secures groundbreaking AI guardrails while achieving important and substantial pay increases and other important wins for singers and recording artists,” said Duncan, SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director and Chief Negotiator. Crabtree-Ireland added.

“Protecting human artistry has always been a priority at SAG-AFTRA, and we are proud that our members have contracts that provide immediate benefits and recognize the importance of human contributions to our industry. I am very encouraged,” continued Crabtree-Ireland. “I also want to thank Negotiating Chair Dan Navarro and the entire committee and staff for their outstanding and dedicated work in achieving this agreement.”

Dan Navarro, Chairman of the Sound Recording Code Negotiating Committee, said, “Member feedback played a critical role in the finalization of this agreement, and the Negotiating Committee is committed to providing the most important information for singers and recording artists affected by these terms. “I prioritized my concerns,” he concluded. We are proud to have achieved these important wins in AI protection, along with significant wage increases and increased health and retirement benefits. ”

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Linda Perry, Patella, Actress Headlines 2024 Tribeca Fest Music Lounge

Heidi Zumbrun

This year's Tribeca Festival's Music Lounge Series features a typically eclectic group of performers who will take the stage at Baby's All Right in Brooklyn next month. The series will begin on June 6th with a show by British electronic artist Actress (Darren Cunningham) performing selections from his recent album LXXXVIII, and a show by New York multi-instrumentalist/Onyx Collective founder Isaiah.・The event will open with a performance of an audiovisual project by Barr. red zone.

Night two (June 7) spotlights the collaboration between Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Linda Perry and Stella Rose (daughter of Depeche Mode singer Dave Gahan), and features a documentary In connection with the world premiere of “Linda Perry: Let It Die Here.'' Rose and the Dead Language were the winners of the 2022 Tribeca Music Lounge Battle of the Bands.

“This year's Music Films showcases a wide range of artists and genres, and we aimed to bring diversity to Music Lounge through unique events,” Tribeca Curator of Music Programming Vincent Cassu said in a statement. . “Our lineup has something for every music fan, from pop to experimental.”

The lineup for night three (June 8) includes the world premiere of S/He Is Still Her/e – The Official Genesis P-Orridge Doc, as well as the late Psychic TV frontperson Genesis P-Orridge; will feature a tribute to. Artists scheduled to perform in honor of the pioneering electronic artist include Christine, David J of Bauhaus, members of Psychic TV (Alice Genes, Jeff Varner, Douglas Rushkopf, Randy Schrager), and a special Includes guests and his PTV Acid House DJ. Paul McCartney's DJ Chris Holmes set.

The series concludes June 9 with an intimate performance by Irish-language hip-hop duo Kneecap and the New York premiere of their self-titled musical film. The film has been described as “a look at the rap trio after the Troubles in Belfast”. He exploded as a defiant defender of the Irish language and a powerful symbol of disenfranchised Irish youth. ”

This year's festival also features documents on Avicii, Liza Minnelli, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Renée Ellis Goldsberry, Carl Craig, Harry Belafonte, “Little” Steven Van Zandt, Ani DiFranco, and more It is scheduled to be done.

Additionally, the Storytellers series will feature REM singers Michael Stipe and Jon Batiste in conversation to discuss Nat King Cole and the 40th anniversary celebration of the groundbreaking hip-hop film Beat Street, introduced by Nas. is. This year's festival, which runs from June 5th to 16th, will feature a remastered 4K version of Interstellar 5555: The 5tory of the 5ecret 5tar 5ystem, an animated musical inspired by Daft Punk's Discovery album. The film will also be screened for the first time in North America.

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