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31 Oct 2024

Jason & Travis Kelce Team Up With Boyz II Men to Ring in the Holiday Season With ‘It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights)’

‘Tis officially the season, and Jason and Travis Kelce are getting into the holiday spirit with their new Boyz II Men-assisted Christmas song, “It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights),” which arrived on Friday (Nov. 1).

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The track, which details the NFL duo returning to their hometown after some time away, gets an R&B spin thanks to Boyz II Men’s harmonies as they sing, “It feels so good to be back home again with all my family and friends/ Sharing gifts and memories/ We make under the Christmas tree.”

“I always have a blast when I get to join the guys on the Christmas album, but it was wild to be on a song with a group as iconic and timeless as Boyz II Men,” Travis said in a press statement. “My friends and I grew up on their music, and it’s still in the rotation today, so it was just an unreal experience.”

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“It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights)” marks the first single off A Philly Special Christmas Party, the third charitable album from The Philly Specials, a.k.a Jason Kelce, the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive tackles Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata. Last year’s A Philly Special Christmas Special raised over $3 million and featured singles “This Christmas,” “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Fairytale of Philadelphia” and “Pretty Paper.”

Additionally, to celebrate the single, Jason and Travis’ mother, Donna Kelce, will bring exclusive The Philly Specials-inspired holiday ornaments to QVC on Nov. 1 starting at 8 p.m. ET. They will be sold as a set of four and will come with ornaments of Jason, Jordan, Lane and a Christmas tree. Proceeds from the vinyl sales will go to support Children’s Crisis Treatment Center’s Holiday Toy Drive, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Snowflake Station and 87 and Running Foundation, plus a number of other Philadelphia based organizations.

A Philly Special Christmas Party is set for release on Nov. 22. Listen to “It’s Christmastime (In Cleveland Heights)” below.

31 Oct 2024

Lil Uzi Vert Releases New Album ‘Eternal Atake 2’: Stream It Now

Lil Uzi Vert has released their fourth full-length studio album, Eternal Atake 2 (out Nov. 1).

The Philadelphia rapper announced the release of their long-awaited record just one week prior (Oct. 24), sharing a mysterious teaser trailer to promote the album.

“On March 6, 2020, Lil Uzi Vert mysteriously vanished,” the screen reads. “While it was never confirmed what happened that day, the faithful believed it to be the fulfillment of a long-awaited prophecy… Eternal Atake.”

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The March 2020 disappearance date refers to the release of Lil Uzi Vert’s second album, Eternal Atake. Much of the record’s artwork and promotion was in reference to the infamous Heaven’s Gate religious group, whose mass suicide made national headlines in 1997. Surviving members of the group initially threatened Lil Uzi Vert with legal action in 2018 over their appropriation of the Heaven’s Gate logo.

The promotion for Eternal Atake 2 once again sees Lil Uzi Vert leaning into Heaven’s Gate’s underlying beliefs of ufology and prophecy fulfillment, with the album trailer featuring the rapper being transported via UFO to another dimension. Upon arrival, their memory is extracted and wiped clean by a group of natives from this unknown planet, who are seemingly possessed with a purple-tinted gleam in their eyes.

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Lil Uzi Vert had previously hinted towards retirement after the release of their next album, telling TMZ in December 2023 that following the release of Luv Is Rage 3, they would step away from music to focus on making women’s clothes.

Currently, Luv Is Rage 3 has been given no release date, with Eternal Atake 2 ostensibly arriving in its place. It serves as the follow-up to 2023’s The Pink Tape, which was released in June 2023 and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with 167,000 total album units sold.

The original Eternal Atake was releasing to streaming services in March 2020 just ahead of the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. EA sold 288,000 total album units in the first week. The project came in at No. 4 on Billboard‘s Top 20 Rap Albums of 2020 list.

Stream Eternal Atake 2 below.

31 Oct 2024

Kevin Liles Issues Statement Following Conclusion of Young Thug Trial

Kevin Liles, the co-founder and CEO of 300 Entertainment, has issued a statement in the wake of news that Atlanta rapper Young Thug is to be released from prison following a guilty plea on Thursday (Oct. 31).

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Liles, who co-founded 300 Entertainment in 2012 and signed Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) to the label in 2014, issued his statement late on Thursday following the completion of Georgia’s longest-running criminal trial.

“Words can’t express the incredible happiness and relief I feel to learn of Jeffery’s freedom,” Liles stated. “There will be a time to discuss the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics and the use of bond denial as a weapon against defendants, but in this moment everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings, and other loved ones tonight. 

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“We must always remember artists aren’t fictional characters,” he concluded. “They’re human beings first. God bless Jeffery and his family.”

Thug, 33, has spent the past two years in custody, following his arrest in May 2022 with 27 others from his YSL Records label as part of a 56-count indictment for violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) law. The trial, which began in November 2023, was built around claims that YSL had committed murders, carjackings, drug dealing and many other crimes.

Following days of closed-door negotiations with Fulton County prosecutors, Thug refused to take a plea deal that would have resulted in his immediate release, ultimately opting for a non-negotiated guilty plea. Late on Thursday, Judge Paige Reese Whitaker sentenced Thug to 15 years probation with no time to be served.

Ahead of his sentencing, Thug noted the power and influence he holds in his community, telling the court he takes “full responsibility for my crimes and for my charges”.

“I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am,” he added. “I know the heights I’ve reached and I know the impact I’ve got on people in the community.”

31 Oct 2024

The Deals: Jerry Jeff Walker Estate Partners With Primary Wave, AI App Hook Pacts With Glassnote

Independent music publisher Primary Wave Music has partnered with the estate of country/folk singer-songwriter Jerry Jeff Walker on Walker’s music publishing catalog, recording copyrights and artist royalties. The partnership provides the Walker estate access to Primary Wave’s marketing team and publishing infrastructure to work on new marketing, branding, digital, synch opportunities and film/TV projects. The deal also features an agreement for Walker’s recorded masters, in partnership with his label Tried & True Music, to be released and distributed through Sun Records; Sun Records will provide overall catalog marketing strategy, including streaming, social media marketing and physical releases. The deal includes some of Walker’s biggest hits, including “Mr. Bojangles,” “Railroad Lady” and “Sangria Wine.” – Jessica Nicholson

AI-powered social music app Hook partnered with Glassnote Records to add new tracks from artists including Tors, bby, Hayes Warner and Dylan Cartride to its library, with more acts to be added soon. Glassnote’s roster also includes Mumford & Sons, Childish Gambino and Phoenix. Hook allows users to remix existing songs by speeding them up, slowing them down, mashing them up with other songs and more to post on social platforms, effectively opening up another revenue stream for participating artists. In a statement, Glassnote founder/president Daniel Glass called Hook “a comprehensive solution to the use of remixed music across social platforms in a way that emphasizes artists’ control and compensation.”

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Leading music licensing platform Slipstream acquired Anthem Entertainment‘s production music businesses, including U.S.-based Jingle Punks and 5 Alarm Music and U.K.-based Cavendish Music. The acquisition encompasses more than 650,000 tracks along with music production capabilities. The purchase was made possible by financing and expertise offered by Pollen Street Capital, while Moelis & Company served as the exclusive financial advisor to Anthem on the negotiation. The acquisition represents a full-circle moment for Slipstream co-founders Dan Demole and Jesse Korwin; Demole co-founded Jingle Punks and previously served as president of Anthem Music Group, while Korwin served as Jingle Punks’ MD. Anthem Entertainment will make an investment in Slipstream as part of the deal.

Reactional Music, which allows video game developers to create interactive music soundtracks in their gaming titles, struck a global licensing partnership with Naxos, a leading rights holder of classical and regional music. The two companies are also exploring a collaboration on the composition of interactive soundtracks that would allow gamers to personalize Naxos-owned music in real time while playing, without affecting the master recording. Reactional has previously struck licensing partnerships with companies including Beggars Group, Hopeless Records, Hipgnosis Music Group and production music groups like APM Music, Soundstripe and Alibi.

Global investment firm CVC has invested alongside KKR to support live entertainment group Superstruct Entertainment in its next phase of development. KKR acquired Superstruct, which owns and operates more than 80 music festivals across Europe and Australia, in June 2024. CVC’s previous investments include Stage Entertainment, Formula One, Women’s Tennis and LaLiga.

SoundExchange and the Societies’ Council for the Collective Management of Performers’ Rights (SCAPR) announced that SoundExchange has become the first non-member collective management organization (CMO) to be able to create and issue international performer numbers (IPNs) — unique universal identifiers associated with performers, created and administered by SCAPR, that are used to identify them in data exchanges with other CMOs globally. Through the deal, SoundExchange will create and assign SCAPR’s IPNs to further link performers to their recordings, thereby improving identification of their creative contributions. “IPNs represent another tool in our expanding arsenal helping to get the right people paid the royalties they deserve,” said SoundExchange president/CEO Michael Huppe in a statement.

Downtown-owned business to business distributor FUGA partnered with Manila, Philippines-based management and production company ASINTADA while announcing new hires across the APAC region, including Noorcahyo Istyabudi and Jaya Singh, who will lead business development in Indonesia and South Asia, respectively. FUGA will provide global distribution and bespoke marketing services to ASINTADA, which will also have access to FUGA’s trends and analytics platform. ASINTADA represents some of the biggest hip-hop artists in the region, including Filipino rapper Gloc-9 and rising OPM (original Pilipino music) talent including Shanti Dope, Flow G and Skusta Clee. FUGA also announced a partnership with the Jesuit Communications Foundation, the media arm of the Philippine Province of the Society of Jesus; Crown Studios Inc., a full-service talent and management agency; and record label and production house 314 Studios.

Global children’s audio platform Yoto secured a $15 million funding package from HSBC UK‘s Growth Lending Fund to support its international growth. The funding will allow Yoto, which is based in the U.K. and currently operates in five countries, to extend its reach beyond those markets. Yoto additionally plans to expand the manufacture of its audio players and content cards to satisfy growing demand. The company says it expects to double its revenue with the funding.

31 Oct 2024

Madlib Sues Former Manager for ‘Pervasive Mismanagement,’ Financial Self-Dealing

Legendary hip-hop producer Madlib has filed a lawsuit against his former manager Eothen “Egon” Alapatt, alleging the executive abused his role to claim undue profits from Madlib’s music and merch companies, among other accusations.

In a complaint filed Thursday (Oct. 31) in Los Angeles court, attorneys for Madlib say Alapatt began managing Madlib’s business affairs around 2010 when the famed producer left his deal with Stones Throw Records — where Alapatt worked as an executive — in an effort to “own and control his music.” Around that time, the complaint alleges that Alapatt was fired from Stones Throw.

According to the lawsuit, Madlib trusted Alapatt to set up and manage two business entities (“Madicine Show” for his music interests and “Rapp Cats” for his merchandise) in Madlib’s name, with profits from the businesses to be shared between the two parties. However, Madlib allegedly discovered only recently that Alapatt was not only failing to properly run those businesses but was “also engaged in rank self-dealing, concealing information from and repeatedly breaching his duties to Madlib, and otherwise engaging in persistent and pervasive mismanagement.”

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The complaint further alleges Alapatt abused his position by taking “a fee off the top” of all income generated by Madlib’s label, Madicine Show, and that he “refused to account to Madlib” about his compensation and failed to provide any written agreements to the producer. Madlib’s lawyers additionally claim that Alapatt refused to allow an audit of his own business, Now-Again — which they say Alapatt inserted under false pretenses as a go-between for Madicine Show and its distributor, Ingrooves — to ascertain what proceeds it earned from Madicine Show.

Elsewhere, the complaint alleges that Alapatt “directed a single lawyer and single accountant to represent him” as well as Madlib, Madicine Show, Rapp Cats and Now-Again without Madlib’s “informed consent” and then “directed that lawyer and that accountant to refuse to cooperate with Madlib” and the new professional team Madlib had assembled after his relationship with Alapatt went south.

The complaint states that Madlib only discovered the extent of Alapatt’s alleged malfeasance in April 2023, when he finally managed, through “forensic accounting,” to learn more about the financials of Madicine Show and Rapp Cats during the period of 2018 to mid-2022. His lawyers claim this revealed “several accounting irregularities” and “a lack of any backup documentation” for several hundred thousand dollars in “‘consulting,’ ‘commissions,’ ‘fees’ or ‘reimbursements’” for Alapatt as well as a second named defendant, Jeffrey Carlson, a.k.a. Jeff Jank — an alleged associate of Alapatt’s who formerly worked as an art director at Stones Throw and is described in the complaint as “a member of Rapp Cats.”

The complaint further claims that Alapatt took “tens of thousands of dollars for personal expenses” from the two business entities, and that there was no documentation of employee payroll, inventory or artist royalty statements.

Alapatt also allegedly “captur[ed] half of Madlib’s producer royalties and advances for himself” while locking Madlib out of his Ingrooves, Apple Music, Bandcamp, YouTube and Facebook accounts; the complaint also claims he locked Madlib out of the Instagram account for his trademarked alter-ego Quasimoto, a cartoon character that the producer used throughout his career for merchandise and music.

“Madlib has since demanded that Madicine Show and Rapp Cats be wound up and dissolved and that any contractual relationship with those entities…be terminated,” the complaint reads. “[Alapatt] refuses to do so.” Instead, it claims, Alapatt told Madlib that he’s welcome to “‘buy him out’ of his interest in those entities or the underlying intellectual property.”

Thursday’s lawsuit is the second lawsuit to be filed against Alapatt over the past year. Last October, the manager was also sued by the estate of Madlib’s late collaborator MF DOOM for allegedly stealing the rapper’s notebooks full of lyrics. In response to that suit, attorneys for Alapatt called the case “baseless and libelous,” and characterized it as “the continuation of a year-long smear campaign.”

Madlib’s team is seeking a jury trial and a judicially supervised wind-up and dissolution for Madicine Show and Rapp Cats, “to include a full and complete accounting of the assets and liabilities of the entities [and] a determination of any unauthorized remuneration,” among other requests. Madlib is also seeking damages from Alapatt and Now-Again.

Alapatt and his attorney did not immediately respond to Billboard‘s requests for comment. Carlson also did not immediately return a request for comment.

31 Oct 2024

Travis Scott, Sexyy Red, T.I. & More React to Young Thug’s Release After YSL RICO Case

Young Thug is officially returning home after pleading guilty in a criminal case accusing him of leading a violent Atlanta street gang. The rapper was sentenced to 15 years probation and no prison time on Thursday (Oct. 31).

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Thug (real name Jeffery Williams) pleaded guilty in Georgia to several counts, including possession of drugs and firearms, and pleaded no contest to others including the racketeering accusations that alleged he was the leader of a criminal gang, Young Slime Life. Thug has been in custody for two years after he along with 27 others were arrested in May 2022 as part of a sprawling 56-count indictment for violations of Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO).

Before his sentencing, Young Thug told the court he takes “full responsibility for my crimes and for my charges,” adding, “I know what I bring to the table and I know what I am. I know the heights I’ve reached and I know the impact I’ve got on people in the community.”

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Following the news, Travis Scott took to his Instagram Stories to write that his “bruddda otw home” with a series of brown hearts. Similarly, Metro Boomin shared a series of photos of Thug to his Stories.

“Welcome Home lil bruddah, It’s been too long… Time to get back to it!!!” T.I. wrote on Instagram alongside photos of the duo. On X, Sexyy Red wrote, “THEY LET TWIN OUT!!!,” in reference to the duo’s physical resemblance.

Kevin Liles, the CEO of 300 Entertainment which houses Thug’s YSL Records, wrote on Instagram, “Words can’t express the incredible happiness and relief I feel to learn of Jeffery’s freedom. There will be a time to discuss the criminalization of hip-hop lyrics and the use of bond denial as a weapon against defendants, but in this moment everyone should feel nothing but joy that this amazing artist and even better man can hug his children, parents, siblings, and other loved ones tonight.”

31 Oct 2024

Freddie Gibbs “On The Set,” Kodak Black “Catch Fire” & More | Daily Visuals 10.31.24

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Forbidden Fruit Festival 2024

Source: Kieran Frost / Getty

After catching drama with quite a few of his Hip-Hop peers, Freddie Gibbs seemingly took a step back from the rap game, but the Gary, Indiana representative is once again ready for his closeup and comes through with some new work for his hardcore day-one fans.

Dropping off some new visuals to “On The Set,” Freddie Gibbs finds himself, well, on the set of whatever film he’s working on and uses his break time to spit some bars and get some R&R before shooting his next scene.

Back in Florida, Kodak Black keeps his street hot and in his clip for “Catch Fire,” Kodak and his crew witness the fire department put out a burning car while they stand by and take in the scene. We’re not trying to start no rumors, but could Kodak have had anything to do with that car going up in flames? Just askin.’

Check out the rest of today’s drops including work from Slim Thug, Nappy Roots, and more.

FREDDIE GIBBS – “ON THE SET”

KODAK BLACK – “CATCH FIRE”

SLIM THUG – “OUTSIDE”

NAPPY ROOTS – “HOWLIN AT THE MOON”

JAY WORTHY & DJ FRESH – “KREEPIN”

WOES – “HIDE”

ILHAM – “GAMES”

SKEPTA & FLO MILLI – “WHY LIE?”

31 Oct 2024

Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre Set Release Date for ‘Missionary’ Album | Billboard News

Snoop Dogg and Dr.Dre are back working together again! The two have set a release date for their ‘Missionary’ album for Dec. 13. The joint project will feature regular collaborators like Eminem and 50 cent and special guests like Jelly Roll, Sting, Tom Petty and more. It’s the first joint album between Dre and Snoop since Snoop debut album ‘Doggystyle’ in 1993.

Tetris Kelly
Snoop and Dr Dre are back. The iconic West Coast duo is linking up once again for another project titled ‘Missionary.; They played each other’s co-stars on three albums. 1992’s ‘The Chronic’ 1993 ‘Doggystyle’ in 1999, ‘The Chronic 2001’ this time around, they’re getting together for Snoop’s 20th album, ‘Missionary.’ Check out a bit from the trailer Snoop posted on IG. ‘Missionary’ will be entirely produced by Dre the album will be 15 tracks long and will feature Eminem, 50 cent Jelly Roll. Tom Petty, Sting and more. Jelly Roll was hype when he talked about working on the album during a recent appearance on Bootleg Kev’s podcast. Dude, it is crazy. I won’t say anything about the record because he didn’t, but man, it’s special. Be sure to give ‘Missionary’ a spin when it drops, December, 13th.

31 Oct 2024

Latin Remix of the Week: Greeicy Recruits Kapo for Sultry Version of ‘A Veces A Besos’

Greeicy has reeled in Kapo for the official “A Veces A Besos (Remix)” out today (Oct. 31). 

The highly-anticipated collaboration comes four months after Greeicy unleashed the original track in mid-June. Both the original and remix are helmed by Latin Grammy-winning producer Ovy on the Drums. 

“A Veces A Besos,” which translates to “sometimes with kisses,” is a mid-tempo reggaetón-pop fusion that oozes sensuality, both sonically and lyrically. The Kapo-asissted remix is just as liberating and sultry but with the Colombian newcomers’ raspy vocals and characteristic chill afrobeat melodies. 

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“I know that in front of the world we’re friends / but when we’re alone our kisses are on the mouth / we both feel like we’re lying / but who doesn’t make mistakes?” Greeicy chants on track about two friends who are having an affair. “Oh my friend, princess of an endless story that I want to read,” Kapo flirts back.  

“I didn’t have planned to do a remix […] but Kapo is Caleño, he’s from my city and I feel that beautiful things are happening in our town,” Greeicy tells Billboard exclusively. “On an artistic level, this new wave is very powerful and artists who have been around for a long time are starting to emerge. I thought it would be a great idea to do a remix and how nice if it was with him. That’s why I connected the most and obviously I love his music, his energy, I’m a fan. This is a huge song for our people and our city.”

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Greeicy dropped the official remix in the midst of her Greeicy-Yeliana World Tour that kicked off Oct. 12 in Puerto Rico and will wrap Nov. 3 in Tampa. 

The original “A Veces A Besos” peaked No. 11 on the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart, and it’s currently on its 10th week in the chart. The song is also having a strong momentum on social media, where two different parts of the track have generated over 160,000 video creations on TikTok alone. The viral dance trend is incorporated in the official music video, where Greeicy encourages fans to sway their hips to the song’s saucy rhythm. 

Listen to the “A Veces A Besos (Remix)” below: 

31 Oct 2024

Nicky Jam Revokes Donald Trump Endorsement | Billboard News

Nicky Jam has revoked his endorsement of Donald Trump for president due to Tony Hinchcliffe’s “garbage” joke about Puerto Rico. Keep watching to see his response.

Tetris Kelly:

From supporting Donald to… not? Nicky Jam is taking back his endorsement of Donald Trump for president. Let’s rewind… remember when Trump thought Nicky was a woman when Jam endorsed him? 

Donald Trump:

Latin music superstar, Nicky Jam. Do you know Nicky? She’s hot. Where is Nicky?

Tetris Kelly:

Well, if that didn’t change his mind, maybe something else did… 

Tony Hinchcliffe:

There’s a lot going on. I don’t know if you guys know this, but there’s literally a floating island of garbage in the middle of the ocean right now. I think it’s called Puerto Rico?

Tetris Kelly:

Nicky said on IG: “I never thought in my life that, a month later, a comedian would come and criticize my country and speak badly about my country. And, because of that, I renounce any support of Donald Trump and am removing myself from any political situation. Puerto Rico must be respected.” Bad Bunny, JLo, and Ricky Martin have given their endorsements to Kamala Harris after the recent comments about their country.

Kamala Harris:

I’m going to create an Opportunity Task Force for Puerto Rico.