More questions than answers surround the abrupt departure of Atlantic Records UK president Ben Cook. The abrupt resignation of Atlantic Records UK president Ben Cook earlier this week is still causing ripples, with industry onlookers wondering exactly …
Tag archives: Labels
Atlantic Records UK President Steps Down Over Blackface Allegations
An ugly situation is unfolding this morning involving Atlantic Records UK president — or, ex-president — Ben Cook. The longtime Atlantic Records UK president Ben Cook has officially tendered his resignation, citing issues stemming from a costume party …
Tekashi 6ix9ine Signs a $10+ Million Record Deal While Still In Prison
There’s an old adage: “crime doesn’t pay.” Just don’t tell that to rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine, or he might just laugh in your face. While awaiting sentencing on firearms and racketeering charges, Tekashi 6ix9ine signed a new recording contract that will re…
Music Industry Land Grab Continues — Concord Acquires Victory In Estimated $30MM Deal
Chicago punk/rock label Victory Records has now been gobbled up by Concord — with thousands of tracks included in the deal. Victory is the brainchild of Tony Brummel, who started the label in Chicago back in the late-80s. Over time, the label expanded…
Radiohead Guitarist Jonny Greenwood Launches a Classical Music Label
Longtime Radiohead guitarist and keyboardist Jonny Greenwood is plunging into the world of classical. The label, called Octatonic Records, will specialize in producing classical music while integrating contemporary sound-control elements. Green said th…
Warner Records Inks a Partnership With Masked Gorilla — And Out Pops a Hip-Hop Label
Roger Gengo, who runs the hip-hop site Masked Gorilla, has started a new record label called Masked Records in partnership with Warner Records. The new label has already signed its first major music artist: up-and-coming rapper 2KBABY, whose “Old Stree…
The Payback Begins: Taylor Swift Confirms Her Intentions to Re-Record Albums 1-5
Taylor Swift is about to make life very complicated for music industry heavyweights Scooter Braun and Scott Borchetta. Earlier today (August 22nd), Taylor Swift confirmed during an interview with Robin Roberts on “Good Morning America” that she intends…
Taylor Swift Is Re-Recording All of Her Old Albums — Just to Make Scooter Braun’s Life Miserable
Taylor Swift didn’t appreciate it when her old masters were sold to the highest bidder. Now, she’s doing something about it. After Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) sold to Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings for a cool $300 million, Taylor Swift emerged as …
Universal Music Partners With Nas’ Mass Appeal to Spread Indian Hip Hop to the World
Yes, Indian hip hop is a thing. You just haven’t heard of it — yet. Now, there’s an effort to bring India’s burgeoning hip hop scene to broader global audiences. Universal Music Group (UMG) has partnered with Mass Appeal, a Nas-backed media and record…
De La Soul Says Tommy Boy Is “Not In the Business Of Giving Artists Back Their Masters”
Fans of the legendary hip-hop trio De La Soul will be disappointed to hear that the group has broken off negotiations with Tommy Boy Records. De La Soul was attempting to negotiate a deal that would have made all of the group’s classic albums available…