Scandals, ‘Toxic Masculinity’ Threaten Future Of K-Pop

New scandals in South Korea that cast doubt on K-Pop stars, K-Pop culture and a male chauvinist and sexist South Korean culture in general, could halt the genre’s recent hugely successful drive into other countries. So says an expose by CNN that looked not only at the scandals involving K-Pop…

Scooter Braun Settles $10M Lawsuit With Troy Carter

Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande manager Scooter Braun has settled its $10 million lawsuit against form Lady Gaga manager and Spotify exec Troy Carter. According to documents obtained by The Blast, Braun‘s company, Ithaca Management Holdings filed a joint notice of settlement, effectively bringing an end to the litigation against…

Major Label Signs An Algorithm To A 20 Album Deal

This is NOT an early April Fools joke. Endel, an app that uses algorithms the company calls predictive mechanics to produce personalized sounds to help you focus and relax, has signed a multi-album deal with Warner Music Group. As part of the deal with WMG’s Art Music division, the five…

Spotify Begins Label Licensing Talks Amid Major Disputes

Spotify has begun negotiations to renew its licencees with all three major labels and other rights holders. The talks begin with Spotify on the offensive against the music industry on multiple fronts. The streamer must reach new deals this year with Universal Music, Sony Music, and Warner Music, which together…

Spotify Condemns Apple’s New "App Tax," But Could It Be A Cover For A Price Hike?

Spotify is up in arms over the 30% cut Apple is charging developers for the privilege of being part of its app store, going so far as to lodge an anti-trust complaint, as well as threatening to raise its price in order to cover the cost. Such actions, however, could…

Fall Out Boy Sued Over Use of Furry Llama Puppets

Fall Out Boy is being sued by the Furry Puppet Studio for allegedly overusing the life-sized llama puppets that appeared in their 2017 video for “Young and Menace.” In a 133-page complaint filed by famed Pennsylvania attorney Francis Malofiy, Furry Puppet admits that the company was hired by Rubrik House…

Fiona Apple Teases New Music With Instagram Videos

Fiona Apple has teased new music with two very casual videos on Instagram. The visual social media platform is gaining major traction as a music marketing channel, even as it’s owner Facebook’s effectiveness declines.

BTS Pre-Sale Exceeds 2.6 Million Albums In Just 5 Days

K-Pop superstars BTS have pre-sold more than 2.6 million copies of the album "Map of the Soul: Persona" Set to be released on April 14, the album may be the biggest pre-sale in history, a particualty impressive feat in an era where streaming has surpassed physical sales. BTS hit this…

JUNO Award Winners 2019: The Full Winner List

The Juno Awards, Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (CARAS) and CBC took over Budweiser Gardens in London, Ontario last weekend to celebrate Canada’s annual biggest night if music. Hosted by Sarah McLachlan, the event featured 11 spectacular performances including Dance Recording of the Year winners Loud Luxury alongside…

‘Band vs Brand" – Filmmaker Bob Nalbandian Examines The State Of The Music Business

BAND VS BRAND is a feature length documentary film focusing on the current state of the music business and on how “the brand” of a rock group, in many cases, has more power than the band members themselves. Filmmaker Bob Nalbandian joins Music Biz Weekly podcast co-hosts Michael Brandvold and…