Business
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Universal Music Group Nashville has appointed Robert Kilduff as chief financial officer. Kilduff brings to the role more than three decades of experience in financial leadership, strategic financial planning, operations, and corporate development.
Kilduff previously served as CFO for non-profit organization, the Gary Sinise Foundation. He has also served as CFO of New Form Entertainment, vice president of financial planning & analysis for WME, and vice president of financial planning & analysis for Universal Music Group North America. Kilduff has also helmed financial strategy for Broadramp, Inc. as an early tech start up, spearheaded the launch of an international software division for special effects company Digital Domain, and directed international financial teams and operations integration for the Viacom subsidiary Neopets.com/ Kilduff’s other finance roles have included PricewaterhouseCoopers Strategy Consulting, Warner Bros. Studios, and former Big Six accounting firm, Coopers & Lybrand. Kilduff holds degrees from UCLA and Columbia Business School.
“Having helped lead the financial growth strategy of businesses in music, film/television, and technology sectors, Bob has a wealth of knowledge that will be instrumental in the growth strategy of Universal Music Group Nashville,” said Universal Music Group Nashville Chair/CEO, Cindy Mabe in a statement. “He is the unicorn we were looking for to help grow the next era of UMGN. I am so excited for him to join our team.”
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Kilduff added, “I am thrilled to rejoin UMG, a company with such a rich history of creative excellence, and eager to contribute to its ongoing success and future growth.”
The addition of Kilduff is the latest shift for UMG Nashville, following the appointment of Derek Anderson as senior vp of commerce last month. The label group also recently teamed up with Timbaland’s Mosley Music.
The label group Universal Music Group Nashville consists of imprints Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville, and Mercury Nashville, as well as comedy label Capitol Comedy Nashville, which launched last year. In February, UMG Nashville revealed the launch of its distribution arm Silver Wings Records, as well as the launch of its film/tv production unit Sing Me Back Home Productions.
UMG Nashville’s artist roster includes Alan Jackson, Anne Wilson, Billy Currington, Brad Paisley, Brothers Osborne, Bryce Leatherwood, Carrie Underwood, Carter Faith, Catie Offerman, Caylee Hammack, Chris Stapleton, Dalton Dover, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Dillon James, Eric Church, George Strait, Hootie & The Blowfish, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Ross, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Louie TheSinger, Luke Bryan, Luke Grimes, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Parker McCollum, Priscilla Block, Reba McEntire, Sam Hunt, Sam Williams, The War And Treaty, Timothy Wayne, Tucker Wetmore, Tyler Hubbard, Vince Gill, Vincent Mason, and more, as well as comedian Nate Bargatze.
T.I. and his wife Tameka “Tiny” Harris won a stunning $71 million jury verdict Monday in their lawsuit claiming that toymaker MGA stole the design of a line of “O.M.G.” toy dolls from their real-life teen pop group OMG Girlz.
As first reported by Law360, jurors awarded the couple and their companies the huge award after finding that MGA’s dolls infringed both the trade dress and the likeness rights of the OMG Girlz — a defunct musical trio created by Tiny and featuring her daughter Zonnique “Star” Pullins.
Following a three-week trial and a day of deliberations, the jurors awarded the rapper and his wife $17.9 million in actual damages and another $53.6 million in punitive damages. Neither side immediately returned requests for comment.
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The legal battle began in 2021, with T.I. (real name Clifford Harris) and Tiny claiming that MGA had committed both “cultural appropriation and outright theft of the intellectual property” by stealing the look of a group of “young multicultural women.”
Their complaint against MGA included side-by-side images, aiming to show how each OMG doll was directly based on a particular member of the OMG Girlz – Pullins, Bahja “Beauty” Rodriguez, and Breaunna “Babydoll” Womack.
MGA maintained that it had done nothing wrong — that the dolls were more often branded as L.O.L. Surprise! O.M.G., and that consumers would not confuse the toys for the “short-lived” band.
Over three years of litigation, the case already went to trial twice. The first trial, in January 2023, ended in a mistrial after jurors heard inadmissible testimony featuring accusations of racism against MGA. The second trial then ended in a verdict for MGA, with jurors clearing the company of wrongdoing. But that verdict was later overturned on appeal, setting the stage for yet another trial.
On the third try, the outcome swung in favor of T.I. and Tiny. In a livestream on Instagram following the verdict, she said it had been “a hell of a fight” but that “we couldn’t be more happy.”
“We wanted to thank the jurors for just seeing us through this, and just believing in what we said,” she said in the video. “They heard our story and they knew we wasn’t lying. It’s amazing.”
MGA can still appeal the verdict and the damages award, first by asking the judge to set them aside and then by taking the case to a federal appeals court.
A new management company comprised of independent managers has been established with industry veteran Julia Khan appointed as president. Operating out of offices in Los Angeles and London, the Khan-led team at Collective of Artists and Leaders (C•O•A•L) MGMT includes Creative Management Firm’s Yvette Medina; FM Group’s Alex Frankel, Chris Maher and Dani Chavez; HowRU? Entertainment’s Ben Eisenberg, Justin Miller and Corey Kastner; Leader Management’s Max Leader; and November Yellow’s Jaha Johnson. In addition, Human Re Sources CEO J. Erving will serve as board chair of music.
According to the release announcing (C•O•A•L) MGMT’s launch, the boutique firm will focus on supporting and nurturing “managers and their client roster of recording artists, music producers and writers.” While working collaboratively as a team, each participating manager will maintain their own brand.
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(C•O•A•L) MGMT is also supported by the venture-backed global agency YMU, with partners being offered “financial support, accounting services, business development, guidance to grow artist rosters and revenue, consulting services from experienced leadership, a creative community of experts, and global access to other divisions within the YMU group.”
Los Angeles-based Khan was named president by YMU Group CEO Mary Bekhait. Of her new post, Khan commented, “I am honored to spearhead C•O•A•L and partner with amazing managers who are committed to true artistic talent and go above beyond for their clients. It’s a privilege to support the team and their incredible rosters, and I am grateful to Mary Bekhait and YMU for backing us.”
Bekhait added, “YMU is delighted to partner with Julia, J., and the wider C•O•A•L team on this exciting new venture — the combination of culture-defining clients, experienced managers and YMU’s wider infrastructure is a compelling blend. We can’t wait to get started.”
Board chair Erving said, “I’ve been in this business for over 20 years, so to be consulting for my peers to push the boundaries of music management is truly an honor. Working as both an artist manager and distributor, the art of artist management is even more important now—in the age of independence—than ever before. Artists need value-add via their managers and this team holds the experience and collective power to blow it out the park. Big thanks to Julia, Mary, and YMU for having me.”
J. Erving
Dae Howerton
Prior to this, Khan consulted and co-managed Usher for eight years, working with management partners Roc Nation, SB Projects and Lafitte Mgmt. During that time, the Grammy-winning artist launched his successful Las Vegas residency. Khan’s industry background also includes consulting multiple Universal Music Group labels, Lighthouse Mgmt. and LVRN Records as well as a stint as head of marketing at Jive/LaFace Records. While there, she worked on projects for Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Chris Brown and P!nk. Khan is presently working with Australian-Tamil singer/songwriter DHEE, who recently released her debut solo single “Roots.”
The five independent management firms comprising the (C•O•A•L) MGMT team represent a diverse array of clients:
Creative Management Firm: Yvette Medina was named one of Billboard Magazine’s 2024 Top 40 Latin Women In Music for her work with clients such as Snow Tha Product, Eva Ruiz, Ecko, De La Cruz, and Latenightjiggy. She partnered with YMU as head of Latin in 2023 to continue expanding Latin music on a global level and oversees the company’s Latin music operations.
FM Group: Its roster of global artists includes Chet Faker, Passion Pit, RAC, and Thunder Jackson. President Alex Frankel most recently has managed and co-produced Paris Hilton’s latest album, Infinite Icon, featuring SIA, Megan Thee Stallion and Meghan Trainor.
HowRU? Entertainment: Current clients include Tiana Major9, Frex, BAYLI, Chase Wav, Brody Myles, Tarek Ali, Jay Century, Omar Grand and DJ CoCo. Century and Wav won a Grammy last year for their work on Khalid’s “Silver Platter,” featured on the Barbie The Album soundtrack.
Leader Management: Client BBC Radio 1’s Benji B, who’s worked as musical director for Celine and the late Virgil Abloh at Louis Vuitton, now serves as musical director for Burberry, Jil Sander, Lacoste and Carvan. Other clients include drummer/composer and 2024 Ivor Novello album of the year winner Yussef Dayes, composer/DJ/producer Guy Gerber and rising Swiss-Nigerian DJ/producer Laolu.
November Yellow: Both a management firm and record label, the company’s artist management roster includes Ari Lennox, Isaia Huron, Tiara Thomasand Camper. Lennox I, who is releasing new single, “Smoke,” on Oct. 18, recently announced a new brand partnership with KISS Colors & Care hair products.
Snoop Dogg and the label that pays him have signed new deals with Reservoir Media, covering the legendary rapper and entrepreneur’s domestic publishing for his entire catalog and future works, as well as the publishing catalog of Death Row Records, which Snoop scooped up in 2022.
Born Calvin Broadus Jr. in the LBC, Snoop glided into fame in 1992 after featuring on Dr. Dre’s debut single, “Deep Cover,” before making several star-affirming turns on Dre’s game-changing album The Chronic (“Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” “Let Me Ride”). A year later, he released his own multi-platinum album, Doggystyle, via Death Row, featuring West Coast hip-hop classics like “Gin and Juice” and “What’s My Name?” He has released 19 solo albums, with his 20th, Missionary, currently in production with Dre. His lengthy list of hits over the years includes “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “Beautiful” plus collabs like “The Next Episode” with Dre, “California Gurls” with Katy Perry and “Young, Wild & Free” with Wiz Khalifa, to name a few.
In addition to 16 Grammy nominations and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Snoop has built a broad business portfolio, acted in dozens of films, including Soul Plane and this year’s The Garfield Movie, and is a prolific signer of product endorsement deals. Recently, his commentary and enthusiasm charmed NBC viewers at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and last night (Sept. 23) he made his debut as a coach on NBC’s The Voice.
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After acquiring Death Row Records, the label that released his debut album along with early works by Dr. Dre and 2Pac, Snoop established a publishing arm for the label. The Reservoir deal includes hits like “Hail Mary” and “I Ain’t Mad At Cha” by 2Pac, ensuring that Death Row’s legacy continues under Snoop’s leadership.
Financial details of the arrangement were not disclosed.
Reservoir executives expressed excitement about working with Snoop and supporting his legacy. Golnar Khosrowshahi, Reservoir’s CEO, highlighted the significance of the partnership in preserving Death Row’s influence, adding “Snoop has come full circle with Death Row, showcasing his ongoing dedication to upholding its rich history – something Reservoir has proven as a core value and area of expertise across our business.”
Donna Caseine, Reservoir’s executive vp and global creative director, lauded Snoop’s impact on hip-hop and popular culture over the past three decades: “Legendary artists only need one name. Snoop is part of that echelon. From music, to brands, television, and film, his acumen represents excellence,” she said. “For the last three decades he has been a pillar of hip-hop music and popular culture. He helped write Death Row Records into music’s history books.”
The Maida Vale studios in west London is one of the capital’s most historic recording studios. Belonging to the BBC for nearly 80 years, the complex was home to the BBC Symphony Orchestra and hosted recording sessions by pop and rock royalty.
The BBC announced its closure in 2020, but in 2023, a group led by famed composer Hans Zimmer bought the complex with hopes of restoring the studios to their former glory.
Initial plans for a revamp at the £10 million valued studios have now been shared by the group, which includes Zimmer (The Lion King, Interstellar), and his business manager Steven Kofsky, alongside film producers Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, as reported by the BBC.
On a dedicated website, MVS Partnership LLP have outlined their plans to improve the structure of the studios, as well as three new “state-of-the-art” studios for writing and composing.
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As consultations for the work begin, the group have proposed a “retrofit-first approach with sustainable design to improve energy efficiency.” The group have cited carbon concerns with the demolition of the building, and are proposing to retain much of its existing fabric to “minimise” the impact.
The group is yet to submit a formal planning application to Westminster City Council. You can read the full consultation here.
From 1946, the complex was a regular fixture in BBC broadcasts, featuring on Radio 1, 2, 3 and in filmed television episodes on BBC One and more.
In 1967, it became the home of the Peel Sessions, hosted by BBC Radio DJ John Peel and hosted iconic performances by The Smiths, David Bowie, Dusty Springfield and Fleetwood Mac.
Upon news of the purchase in 2023, Zimmer said that the goal was to “make Maida Vale Studios a place that inspires, teaches, technologically serves the arts and humanity, and gives the next generation the same opportunities I was given: to create and to never give up.” The online consultation will run until October 11.
LONDON, U.K. — Long-serving executive Dickon Stainer has been appointed chairman and CEO of Universal Music U.K., succeeding David Joseph, who announced he was stepping down from the role after almost 17 years in charge on Monday (Sept. 23).
Stainer’s appointment was announced in a memo from Lucian Grainge sent to staff on Tuesday (Sept. 24). For the last 10 years, Stainer has served as president and CEO of Universal Music Group’s Global Classics and Jazz division, splitting his time between London and New York.
“Dickon has embraced an expansive musical worldview throughout his career, taking artists from a wide variety of genres and bringing them to audiences globally,” said Grainge in the memo, which has been viewed by Billboard, and accompanying press release.
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“He not only has deep experience in leveraging our worldwide organization on behalf of our artists, but a track record that includes global commercial and creative artist successes and countless awards in many countries,” said Grainge, who thanked outgoing CEO and chairman David Joseph for his “many contributions. He leaves with our gratitude.”
In his new role, Stainer will be responsible for leading the overall management and strategic direction of Universal Music U.K., including Island EMI Label Group, Polydor Label Group, Decca Records, the recently formed Audience and Media Division, as well as Abbey Road Studios.
In addition to his new responsibilities, Stainer will continue his long association with UMG’s Global Classics and Jazz division in the capacity of chairman, Grainge told staff. Announcements regarding new leadership roles and internal promotions in these businesses will be made shortly, said the UMG chief.
“It is an honour to be asked by Sir Lucian Grainge to lead Universal Music U.K. The depth of talent that we have at the company, coupled with our remarkable roster of artists, gives me tremendous confidence in what we can achieve together,” said Stainer in a statement.
He continued: “Having worked in both the international and domestic divisions of UMG, I know how central the U.K. is to the global music industry – a vital repertoire source that provides the world with great artists and great music. I can’t wait to get started.”
The reorganization at the top of Universal U.K. comes just a few months after the company announced it was merging its historic Island and EMI label divisions and forming two new frontline label groups: Island EMI Label Group, headed by Louis Bloom as president, and Polydor Label Group, led by Ben Mortimer.
The U.K. arm of Universal Music is additionally launching a new Audience and Media Division to support artists and labels, headed by Rebecca Allen.
SYDNEY, Australia — Empire now has an outpost in Australia.
The Bay Area hip-hop juggernaut recruits label veteran Cameron Walsh to lead its activities in these parts as Australian territory manager.
“I’m privileged and elated to be joining the empire that is Empire, leading the label’s expansion into Australia,” Walsh comments on LinkedIn. “Empire Australia is open for business.”
Based in Sydney, Walsh brings to the role a stack of experience accumulated from major and independent labels, from Sony Music to Universal Music, EMI, Comes With Fries, and most recently with [PIAS] Australia/Inertia Music, where he served as director of label services & head of digital – Australia, New Zealand.
Empire founder and CEO Ghazi Shami confirmed the business’ latest move during an onstage interview last week at All That Matters 2024 in Singapore.
“It was something that we were looking for, for a long time,” Ghazi said during a Q&A at Hilton Singapore Orchard. “We’re really picky about the people that we select in territories to plant the flag because they have to be representative of our ethos of our cultural composition, and there has to be some type of commitment to excellence that we perceive.”
Empire launched in San Francisco back in 2010 as a digital distribution specialist. A year later, Spotify arrived in the United States.
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As its name would suggest, the company grew into a vertically-integrated powerhouse with some 250 global staff, and is active in every conceivable part of the music industry.
Ghazi’s company is recognized as a force in hip-hop and the surging Afrobeats genre. This year, Empire has enjoyed a smash hit this year with Shaboozey’s “A Bar Song (Tipsy),” which logged multiple months at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, smashing chart records along the way. The single also went to No. 1 on Australia’s ARIA Chart and cracked the top 10 in the U.K. “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” earns an 11th week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, extending 2024’s longest reign.
“The music that they’re making here is, honestly, the most culturally important thing I’ve done in my entire career, and I’ve been in the music business since I was 14,” Empire founder/CEO Ghazi told Billboard in 2023. “These guys are the kings of where they come from, and they’re about to be the kings of everywhere if we keep doing what we’re doing. It’s phenomenal to see what’s happening.”
Incubus, Lollapalooza and music entrepreneur Steve Rifkind are among those who will be honored by Music Forward Foundation at its second annual awards brunch on Sunday, Oct. 6 at City Club Los Angeles. Music Forward Foundation is a national non-profit and Live Nation’s charity partner.
The awards brunch will honor these six individuals or organizations:
Incubus will receive the tour award celebrating not only their music but also their philanthropic efforts through the Make Yourself Foundation. That foundation, established in 2003, supports a wide range of causes including sustainability, disaster relief and arts education.
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Lollapalooza will receive the festival award for revolutionizing the music festival landscape – growing a small, innovative festival in Chicago’s Grant Park in 1991 that blended genres and introduced multiple stages into a global phenomenon, all while supporting arts education in Chicago public schools through the Lollapalooza Arts Education Fund with programs like Immersion Day and the Lollapalooza & Sueños Festival Job Fair.
Rifkind will be presented the executive award by Grammy-winning musician and producer Eric Krasno for his impact on the industry through Loud Records, SRC Records and Spring Sound. Rifkind has been instrumental in the success of such hip-hop acts as Wu-Tang Clan, Remy Ma and Mobb Deep.
BMG will receive the corporate award for its dedication to creating equitable opportunities and supporting the next generation of industry professionals. The company’s innovative approach extends to its partnership with Music Forward, providing paid internships and mentorships to diverse youth since 2020.
Actress, producer and civil rights activist Gina Belafonte and Sankofa.org will be presented the community award by actor Jesse Williams. Founded by Gina’s father, the late Harry Belafonte, Sankofa.org is dedicated to empowering artists to use their voices for meaningful change while addressing social justice issues.
Brooklyn Bowl, co-founded by Peter Shapiro in 2009, will receive the venue award. With locations in Brooklyn, Las Vegas, Nashville and Philadelphia, Brooklyn Bowl has become an institution. The venues are also a leader in sustainability, as the first bowling alley in the world to achieve L.E.E.D. certification, utilizing wind-powered lights and incorporating recycled materials.
The catered brunch will feature live performances.
The charity’s second annual golf classic is set for Monday, Oct. 7 at El Caballero County Club in Tarzana, Calif. Meals, cocktails, activations and gifting will be provided by local vendors. For more information, visit musicforwardfoundation.org.
Last year’s inaugural events raised more than $350,000 for programs empowering youth in the music industry.
Over more than 30 years, Music Forward Foundation has sought to transform young lives, inspire careers and champion a more inclusive music industry. To date, the organization has served over one million young people and provided more than $42 million in scholarships, workforce opportunities, relief funds and more.
Ice Spice has reached an agreement to end a copyright lawsuit over allegations that her recent hit “In Ha Mood” was copied from a Brooklyn rapper’s earlier track.
The case, filed earlier this year by a rapper named D.Chamberz (Duval Chamberlain), claimed that Ice Spice’s song – which spent 16 weeks on the Hot 100 in 2023 – was “strikingly similar” to his own 2021 track “In That Mood.”
But in a motion filed in federal court Friday, attorneys for both sides said they had agreed to resolve the lawsuit. Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed in court filings, and neither side immediately returned requests for comment.
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Released early last year following Ice Spice’s 2022 breakout, “In Ha Mood” reached No. 58 on the Hot 100 and No. 18 on the US Hot R&B/Hip Hop Songs chart. It was later included on her debut EP Like..?, and she performed the song during her October appearance as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live.
In a lawsuit filed in January, D.Chamberz claimed that the two songs share so many similarities that the overlaps “cannot be purely coincidental.” He said the similar elements “go [to] the core of each work,” and are so obvious that they’ve already been spotted by listeners.
“By every method of analysis, ‘In Ha Mood’ is a forgery,” D.Chamberz’s attorneys wrote at the time. “Any proper comparative analysis of the beat, lyrics, hook, rhythmic structure, metrical placement, and narrative context will demonstrate that ‘In Ha Mood’ was copied.”
The lawsuit claimed the earlier song received “significant airplay” on New York City radio stations, including Hot 97 and Power 105.1, giving Ice Spice and others behind her track a chance to hear it.
In addition to naming Ice Spice (Isis Naija Gaston) as a defendant, the lawsuit also names her frequent producer, RiotUSA (Ephrem Lopez, Jr.), as well as Universal Music Group, Capitol Records and 10K Projects.
In April, the defendants formally denied the lawsuit’s allegations, but the case remained in the earliest stages when Friday’s agreement was reached.
Blake Shelton has a new label home, signing with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. Oklahoma native Shelton, who has earned 28 No. 1 Billboard Country Airplay hits during his career, is currently in the top 10 on the Country Airplay chart with his Post Malone collaboration “Pour Me a Drink.” During the course of his career, […]