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From The Bronx to Berlin: Universal Inside Celebrates 50 Years of Hip-Hop

September 11, 2023

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At 50, hip-hop is “as fresh, in demand and modern as ever,” declared Frank Briegmann, chairman and CEO of Universal Music Central Europe and Deutsche Grammophon. He said this to open the Sept. 7 event Universal Inside, the annual label showcase that this year was “Dedicated to hip-hop” in honor of the genre’s 50th anniversary. Example No. 1 was the night’s first performance, from Kontra K, a German rapper who performed “FĂŒr die Himmel durch die Hölle” (For Heaven through Hell) and “Summertime,” a No. 1 hit that samples Lana Del Rey’s “Summertime Sadness.”

German-language rap, the very concept of which would have been hard to imagine in the 1970s Bronx, is now the country’s most popular genre.

After the rapper badmómzjay performed, Briegmann spoke about the vitality of hip-hop, as well as the state of the music business in Germany. To mark hip-hop’s anniversary, Briegmann announced that Universal will release the collection Hip-Hop At Fifty (50 Jahre Hip-Hop), plus reissue classic albums like LL Cool J’s Radio and Eazy-E‘s Eazy-Duz-It, and put out vinyl box sets dedicated to Eric B. & Rakim and Public Enemy. At this point, of course, Universal Germany also has its own roster of Deutschrap stars, including Kontra K, badmómzjay, Sido, Luciano, Chapo102 and DJ Desue — all of whom performed later in the evening.

Briegmann also spoke about the more technical parts of the business, including the idea that there are more places than ever where labels can connect artists with fans – including smart automotive audio systems, fitness machines and metaverse platforms.

“We have gone from being labels to architects and builders of these integrated worlds,” he said. “Together with our artists, we create experiences that go far beyond pure audio consumption.”

One will be Universal’s “YOUniverse,” an interactive platform developed by Universal Music Central Europe that does not seem to exist yet in the U.S.

The music industry’s potential could still be limited, Briegmann said. He spoke about how the “value gap,” which labels and industry groups once invoked to point out that user-upload platforms like YouTube paid less than Spotify and Apple Music, still applied to short-form-video platforms. In the case of YouTube, he said, negotiations eventually led to fairer pay-outs – and he was hopeful the same would happen with these newcomers.

Briegmann also spoke about how artificial intelligence would affect the music business, including Universal’s recent deal with YouTube to develop AI technologies and protect artists from their misuse. The new technology is here to stay, and “we are united by the desire to view and develop AI tools from an artist’s perspective,” Briegmann said. “At the heart of our shared vision is the goal to build a safe, responsible and profitable ecosystem for music and video content.”

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Ezra Collective Becomes First Jazz Act to Win the Mercury Prize

September 7, 2023

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Ezra Collective’s Where I’m Meant to Be won the Mercury Prize on Thursday (Sept. 7), making the London jazz quintet the first jazz act to win that prestigious award. The Mercury Prize celebrates the best of British and Irish music across a range of contemporary music genres. This year’s ceremony was held at Eventim Apollo in Hammersmith, London.
Accepting the award, drummer Femi Koleoso said, “This is not just a result for Ezra Collective, or for UK jazz, but this is a special moment for every single organization across the country, ploughing efforts and time into young people playing music.”

Where I’m Meant to Be, Ezra Collective’s second studio album, was written and recorded in lockdown. But rather than reflect the isolation of the COVID-19 era, the album has been described by BBC as “a joyous celebration of community, positivity and friendship.”

The album was produced by the band and Riccardo Damian, and features a diverse roster of musicians, including Sampa the Great, Kojey Radical, Emeli Sandé and Nao, as well as filmmaker Steve McQueen.

Where I’m Meant to Be reached No. 24 on the Official U.K. Albums chart, a strong showing for a jazz album. On this side of the pond, it debuted and peaked at No. 15 on Billboard’s Contemporary Jazz Albums chart.

The album was nominated for best jazz record at the 2022 Libera Awards. But it draws on several other genres, including grime, salsa and reggae.

Speaking to BBC News after being announced as winners, Koleoso explained: “We’re the shuffle generation of music, we listen to some Beethoven, and then 50 Cent comes on straight after, and then Little Simz comes on just after that. And that kind of influences the way we approach music. So, there are no rules. We love jazz, but at the same time we love salsa too, so why not try and get that in there?”

The other albums in contention for the top prize were Arctic Monkeys’ The Car, Fred again.’s Actual Life 3 (January 1 – September 9 2022), J Hus’ Beautiful and Brutal Yard, Jessie Ware’s That! Feels Good!, Jockstrap’s I Love You Jennifer B, Lankum’s False Lankum, Loyle Carner’s hugo, Olivia Dean’s Messy, RAYE’s My 21st Century Blues, Shygirl’s Nymph and Young Fathers’ Heavy Heavy.

Broadcaster Lauren Laverne hosted the ceremony, which featured live performances from nine of the shortlisted artists, including Jessie Ware and RAYE.

Last year’s Mercury Prize winner was London rapper Little Simz for her fourth album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert.

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Spain’s Recorded Music Revenue Grew 12% in First Six Months

September 7, 2023

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As the summer break comes to an end, the Spanish recorded music industry is celebrating a remarkable first half of 2023. PROMUSICAE (Productores de MĂșsica de España), representing over 95% of the Spanish recording industry, has just unveiled the numbers — and they are looking positive. The recorded music industry has generated a total revenue of 214.3 million euros ($229.2 million) during this period, reflecting an impressive growth rate of 11.53% compared to the same period in 2022 when the income stood at 192.1 million euros ($205.4 million).

Antonio Guisasola, president of PROMUSICAE, expressed his optimism regarding the industry’s performance in 2023. “To keep presenting growth figures over the world average is a satisfaction to us and encourages the Spanish recording companies to continue investing in Spanish talent, so that our artists succeed within and out our borders,” said Guisasola in a press release.

The digital market continues to be a driving force behind this growth, with a substantial increase of 12.82% compared to the same period last year. Digital formats now account for 88% of the industry’s turnover, totaling 188.6 million euros ($201.7 million). That’s nearly all streaming, which captured 87.8% of the total market and generated revenues of 188.2 million euros ($201.4 million) — up 13.26% compared to the first half of 2022.

Audio streaming represented 84.32% of all consumption and contributed 156.9 million euros ($167.9 million) to the industry. Video streaming, while representing over a third of total music consumption time, accounted for 29.1 million euros ($31.1 million).

Guisasola adds, “Numbers are not deceptive and consumption of recorded music is via streaming, though Spanish fans still want to have a bond with their favorite artists through vinyl, a format that follows the path of sales growth, offering very well cared for products that provide an added value to consumers.”

The physical market has also shown resilience in the first half of 2023, maintaining its share of the total market at 12% and experiencing a growth rate of 2.91% compared to the same period in 2022.

Sales of vinyl, in particular, have outperformed CDs, constituting 56.2% of physical sales and generating revenues of 14.4 million euros ($15.4 million) — up 6.32%. CD sales, meanwhile, declined 1.32%, contributing 11 million euros ($11.8 million), making up 42.9% of the physical market revenues.

Guisasola concludes in the press release, “Support the Spanish recording industry so that it does not lose its own boost and can seize the great momentum experienced by Latin music to consolidate its growth in our country and abroad.”

Courtesy Photo

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While BMI Makes Headlines, the Global Collective Management System Is Showing Its Value (Guest Column)

September 7, 2023

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Since the end of August, there have been reports that BMI is in advanced talks to sell itself to the private equity firm New Mountain Capital. A deal has yet to be signed but the possibility has raised concerns among songwriters about what it will mean for the collective management sector if one of its largest organizations becomes a business owned by private equity.

Such a move would take BMI in a new direction, away from the traditional model – based on non-profit and transparent operations—of the CISAC community. For CISAC and our global network of 227 Collective Management Organisations (CMOs, or societies), however, it also highlights the strength and value to creators of the global collective rights management system. The collective management model has been successful for over a century, remaining faithful to its core principles, while transforming and adapting to keep pace with the rapidly changing business environment.

BMI will stay connected to this community. In anticipation of the new direction it has taken in the last year, it has moved from being a full CISAC member to a CISAC “client,” a new category that was established in 2020 to accommodate the new types of rights management entities — including SESAC, Soundreef and Nextone – which have emerged.

Clients make up a very small group of “for-profit” entities that differ from the overwhelming majority of CISAC members, which operate on a non-profit basis. Clients are not subject to all of the traditional transparency and business rules that full CISAC members abide by, but still have access to CISAC’s systems and data exchanges that help the global music market function

By accepting for-profit entities as clients, CISAC maintains its inclusiveness and diversity, while not compromising on the core conditions of membership.

It is those core membership conditions which provide the unique value of the global network. Full members, such as ASCAP in the US, PRS for Music in the UK or GEMA in Germany, are required to meet key fundamental rules:

to operate on a non-profit basis or be controlled by their affiliates

to respect CISAC’s global standards of governance and professional rules

to be fully transparent in their financial reporting and share information with the rest of the CISAC members

As a global confederation, CISAC respects individual creators’ decisions on whom they entrust their rights to. It equally respects members and clients’ decisions on how they manage creators’ rights. The global song rights market is changing rapidly, with growing competition between different types of royalty collection bodies at a time when the cost pressures of managing digital collections and distributions has never been greater.

These changes are inevitable and they are good, if they have the end of result of better serving the creators who are at the center of our business.

In this transforming landscape, the vast majority of CISAC’s member societies remain non-profit entities which abide by all CISAC rules. Full CISAC members work only for creators and rightsholders, not shareholders. Their transparency obligations ensure high levels of integrity and best practice across the network. Creators and rightsholders, not financiers and investors, are assured a controlling role in their decision-making. Creators sit on our societies’ Boards of Directors. You’d be hard pressed to find other entities in the music industry which have music creators as their Board members.

The global collective management system gives creators a strong, united voice to lobby for creator-friendly legislation, develop modern systems for data exchange, adopt best practices and maximize collections and distributions. From turning around failing markets such as Greece, Turkey and India, this community continues to play an indispensable role for creators and publishers worldwide.

Our sector remains the only part of the music industry that puts the creator front and centre of everything it does. While more commercial ventures may be tested in our fast-evolving market, the fact remains that the collective management system is the most robust, reliable and fit-for-purpose model in serving creators.

Gadi Oron is the director general of the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers (CISAC), a Paris-based rights organization.

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NCT 127, Aespa & More SM Entertainment Artists Are Joining HYBE’s Weverse

September 5, 2023

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WeVerse, the social media platform owned by K-pop company HYBE, will add 13 artists from SM Entertainment on Sept. 12, the companies announced Tuesday (Sept. 5). That opens the platform to such artists as NCT 127, Red Velvet, Girls’ Generation, Super Junior, RIIZE and aespa. The partnership was announced in April.  “With this momentous occasion, […]

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Rema, Burna Boy Top 2023 Headies Awards: Full Winners List

September 4, 2023

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Rema and Burna Boy each received three awards at the 2023 Headies Awards. The show, which celebrates Pan-African and Afrobeats talent, was held on Sunday (Sept. 3) at Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center in Atlanta.
Rema won best male artist, digital artiste of the year and African artiste of the year. In addition, Selena Gomez, who teamed with Rema on the global hit “Calm Down,” won international artiste of the year, while Director K, who directed the music video for the “Calm Down” remix, won best music video.

Burna Boy took Afrobeats single of the year and song of the year, both for “Last Last” as well as best R&B single for “For My Hand,” featuring Ed Sheeran.

Three artists won two awards each — Odumodublvck, Asake, Victony & Tempoe.

The eligibility period for the awards was January 2022 to March 2023.

Actor and host Terrence J. Nigerian and actress Osas Ighodaro hosted the show, which was streamed live on YouTube (U.S.) and HipTV (Africa) Network.

Bayanni, Khaid, Guchi, Bloody Civilian, Odumodublvck and Eltee Skhillz competed for rookie of the year. The winner, Odumodublvck, will receive not only glory, but also also a solar-powered, two-bedroom, fully furnished house.

Sean “Love” Combs was previously announced as the recipient of the international artiste recognition award. He was not present at the show, but organizers say his plaque will be delivered.

The Headies Awards, originally called the Hip Hop World Awards, were established in 2006 by the Hip Hop World Magazine of Nigeria to recognize outstanding achievements in the Nigerian music industry.

This marked the show’s second year at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. It was held in Lagos or Nigeria every year from 2006 to 2021 (except 2017 and 2020, when there was no ceremony).

In the past year, three major, all-genre music awards shows have introduced Afrobeats or African music categories. The American Music Awards were the first major music awards show to add such a category. They added favorite Afrobeats artist at the show that aired Nov. 20, 2022. Wizkid was the inaugural winner, beating Burna Boy, CKay, Fireboy DML and Tems.

The MTV Video Music Awards added a new category this year — best Afrobeats. The front-runner is Rema & Gomez’s “Calm Down,” which is nominated in two other categories, best song and best collaboration.

The Grammys added a similar category, best African music performance, this year (for the awards that will be presented on Feb. 4, 2024). Grammy nominations will be announced on Nov. 10.

Here is the full list of winners for the 2023 Headies Awards. For more details, visit theheadies.com.

­Hall of Fame

WINNER: Youssou N’dour

Special Recognition

WINNER: Sound Sultan

International Artiste Recognition Award

WINNER: Sean “Love” Combs

International Artist of the Year

Drake

Future

WINNER: Selena Gomez

Don Toliver

Ed Sheeran

Album of the Year

Love, Damini – Burna Boy

WINNER: Mr Money With the Vibe – Asake

Rave And Roses – Rema

Boy Alone – Omah Lay

Outlaw – Victony

Timeless – Davido

Song of the Year

“Calm Down” – Rema

WINNER: “Last Last” – Burna Boy

“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade

“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno

“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft. Bnxn

“Sungba Remix” – Asake Ft. Burna Boy

Best Female Artiste

Tems

Simi

WINNER: Ayra Starr

Tiwa Savage

Best Male Artiste

Asake

WINNER: Rema

Kizz Daniel

Ruger

Omah Lay

Burna Boy

Rookie of the Year

Bayanni

Khaid

Guchi

Bloody Civilian

WINNER: Odumodublvck

Eltee Skhillz

Best Recording of the Year

“Alone” – Burna Boy

WINNER: “Soweto” – Victony & Tempoe

“I’m A Mess” – Omah Lay

“Ku Lo Sa” – Oxlade

“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft. Sunday Service Choir

“No Woman, No Cry” – Tems

Producer of the Year

Magicsticks – “Sungba Remix” (Asake)

P.Prime, Tmxo & Pheelz – “Electricty” (Pheelz Ft Davido)

Andre Vibez & London – “Calm Down” (Rema)

Tempoe – “Soweto” (Victony & Tempoe)

Kel-P – “Kpe Paso” (Wande Coal & Olamide)

WINNER: Rexxie – “Abracadabra” (Rexxie, Naira Marley, Skiibii & Wizkid)

Songwriter of the Year

WINNER: Simi Kosoko, Godsfavour Chidozie, Kosoko Adekunle, Marcel Akunwata – “Loyal” (Simi)

Stanley Didia, Adebajo Adebanjo – “I’m A Mess” (Omah Lay)

Tems, Ludwig Goransson, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Ryan Coogler – “Lift Me Up” (Rihanna)

Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, Austin Jnr Iornongu Iwar, Peace Oredope, Ludwig Goransson – “Alone” (Burna Boy)

Daniel Benson “In My Mind” (Bnxn)

Fuayefika Maxwell – Earth Song (Wizard Chan)

Best R&B Single

WINNER: “For My Hand” – Burna Boy Ft. Ed Sheeran

“Mmadu” – Ckay

“Just 4 U” – Dami Oniru

“Red Wine” – Preye

“Hard To Find” – Chike – Ft. Flavour

“Loyal” – Simi Ft. Fave

Best Rap Single

“Hustle” – Reminisce

“Big Energy” – Ladipoe

“Back In Uni” – Blaqbonez

“Bando Diaries” – Psychoyp

WINNER: “Declan Rice” – Odumodublvck

“My Bro” – Jeriq Ft. Phyno

Best Alternative Song

WINNER: “Earth Song” – Wizard Chan

“Final Champion” – Cruel Santino

“The Traveller” – Basketmouth Ft The Cavemen

“In A Loop” – Boj Ft Moliy & Mellissa

“Game Changer” (Dike) – Flavour

“Tinko Tinko” – Obongjayar

Best Vocal Performance (Female)

Niniola – “Memories”

Simi –  “Loyal”

WINNER: Waje – “In Between“

Liya – “Adua Remix”

Preye – “Red Wine”

Dami Oniru – “Just 4 U”

Best Vocal Performance (Male)

Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”

Ric Hassani – “My Only Baby”

Magixx – “Love Don’t Cost A Dime”

Chike – “Spell Remix”

Praiz – “Reckless”

WINNER: Wande Coal – “Kpe Paso”

Best Music Video

Blaqbonez & Perliks – “Back In Uni” (Blaqbonez)

Tg Omori – “Pbuy” (Asake)

Director Pink– “Spell Remix” (Chike & Oxlade)

Tg Omori – “Bandana” (Fireboy & Asake)

Director K – “Common Person” (Burna Boy)

WINNER: Director K – “Calm Down” (Rema)

Best Collaboration

Asake Ft. Burna Boy – “Sungba Remix”

Bnxn Ft. Kizz Daniel & Seyi Vibez – “Gwagwalada”

Pheelz Ft. Bnxn – “Finesse”

WINNER: Spyro Ft. Tiwa Savage – “Who’s Your Guy Remix”

Pheelz Ft. Davido – “Electricity”

Wande Coal Ft. Olamide – “Kpe Paso”

Best Street-Hop Artiste

Rexxie Ft. Naira Marley & Skiibii – “Abracadabra”

WINNER: Seyi Vibez – “Chance (Na Ham)”

Asake – “Joha”

Zlatan Ft. Young Jonn – “Astalavista”

Poco Lee & Hotkid – “Otilo”

Mohbad – “Peace”

Afrobeats Single of the Year

WINNER: “Last Last” – Burna Boy

“Rush” – Ayra Starr

“Buga” – Kizz Daniel & Tekno

“Finesse” – Pheelz Ft Bnxn

“Who’s Your Guy?” – Spyro

“Asiwaju” – Ruger

Headies’ Viewers’ Choice

Ruger – “Asiwaju”

WINNER: Victony & Tempoe – “Soweto”

Fireboy Dml & Asake – “Bandana”

Ayra Star – “Rush”

Asake – “Terminator”

Mavins – “Overloading (Overdose)”

Crayon – “Ijo (Laba Laba)”

Oxlade – “Ku Lo Sa”

Kizz Daniel & Tekno – “Buga”

Pheelz & Davido – “Electricity”

Best West African Artiste of the Year

­Gyakie (Ghana)

WINNER: Black Sherif (Ghana)

The Therapist (Liberia)

Camidoh (Ghana)

Best East African Artiste of the Year

Zuchu

WINNER: Diamond Platinumz

Rayvanny

Eddy Kenzo

Hewan Gebreworld

Best North African Artiste of the Year

Marwa Loud – Morocco

Wegz – Egypt

WINNER: El Grande Toto – Morocco

Soolking – Algeria

Best Southern African Artiste of the Year

Aka (South Africa)

Nasty C – South Africa

Costa Titch – South Africa

Uncle Waffles – South Africa

WINNER: Focalistic – South Africa

Dj Tarico – Mozambique

Best Central African Artiste of the Year

Fally Ipupa – Democratic Republic of Congo

Gaz Mawete – Democratic Republic of Congo

Matias Damasio – Angola

Emma’a – Gabon

WINNER: Libianca – Cameroon

Best R&B Album

Home – Johnny Drille

WINNER: The Brother’s Keeper – Chike

Reckless – Praiz

Waje 2.0 – Waje

Matter of Time – Dami Oniru

To Be Honest (Tbh) – Simi

Best Alternative Album

Horoscopes – Basketmouth

WINNER: Gbagada Express – BOJ

Some Nights I Dream of Doors – Obongjayar

Subaru Boys: Final Heaven – Cruel Santino

Heart of the Heavenly Undeniable – Somadina

Native World – Native Sound System

Best Rap Album

Fly Talk Only – Payper Corleone

Palmwine Music Vol 3 – Show Dem Camp

WINNER: Young Preacher – Blaqbonez

Ypszn3 – Psychoyp

Teslim: The Energy Still Lives in Me – Vector

Billion Dollar Dream – Jeriq

Next Rated

Young Jonn

Seyi Vibez

WINNER: Asake

Victony

Spyro

African Artiste of the Year

WINNER: Rema (Nigeria)

Burna Boy (Nigeria)

Marwa Loud (Morocco)

Black Sherif (Ghana)

Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania)

Lyricist on the Roll

Ladipoe – “Clowns”

Vector – “Clowns”

WINNER: Payper Corleone – “Fly Talk Only”

Alpha Ojini – “Vigilante Bop”

A-Q – “Family First”

Tec (Sdc) – “Live Life”

Best Inspirational Single

“Stand Strong” – Davido Ft Sunday Service Choir

“Jireh (My Provider)” – Limoblaze, Lecrae & Happi Music

“This Year” – Victor Thompson & Ehis ‘D’ Greatest

WINNER: “Eze Ebube” – Neon Adejo

“Tobechukwu” – Nathaniel Bassey And Mercy Chinwo

“I Get Backing” – Victoria Orenze

Digital Artiste of the Year

Burna Boy

Ayra Starr

WINNER: Rema

Omah Lay

Kizz Daniel

Asake

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Nicki Minaj a Winner at Inaugural Caribbean Music Awards (Full Winners List)

September 3, 2023

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Nicki Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, was among the winners at the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards, which were held at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on Thursday (Aug. 31). “Likkle Miss,” which Minaj recorded with Skeng, won collaboration of the year (dancehall/reggae). The track appeared on Minaj’s greatest hits set, Queen Radio: Volume 1, which entered the Billboard 200 at No. 10 in August 2022.
The versatile Minaj is up for six awards, including video of the year and artist of the year, at next week’s MTV Video Music Awards, which will be presented on Tuesday (Sept. 12).

Machel Montano received a lifetime achievement award and also won male artist of the year (soca). Beres Hammond received an elite icon award and also won male artist of the year (reggae). Other double winners at the event, which was hosted by Wyclef Jean, were Kabaka Pyramid, Ding Dong and Patrice Roberts.

Reggae legend Buju Banton received a humanitarian award for his philanthropic foundation, the Buju Banton Foundation.

Performers included Wayne Wonder, Alison Hinds, Jada Kingdom, Dexta Daps, Kranium, Nailah Blackman, Ding Dong, Rupee, Baby Cham, Toni-Ann Singh, Romain Virgo, Angela Hunte and Stone Love. The event also featured appearances from Doug E. Fresh, Skeng, MYA, Spice, Morgan Heritage, Konshens, Karlie Redd and Michael Rainey Jr.

The event, which streamed via Tempo Networks/YouTube and Instagram through @CaribbeanEliteMagazine, celebrated Caribbean music in all forms, including reggae, dancehall, soca and zouk.

Here’s a complete list of winners from the inaugural Caribbean Music Awards.

EP of the year (dancehall): Alkaline, The Ripple EFFX

Impact award (dancehall): Chronic Law

Impact award (reggae): Kabaka Pyramid

Impact award (soca): Viking Ding Dong

Performer of the year (soca): Mr. Killa

Album of the year (dancehall): Masicka, 438

Female artist of the year (dancehall): Spice

Male artist of the year (dancehall): Ding Dong

Male artist of the year (reggae): Beres Hammond

Male artist of the year (soca): Machel Montano

Female artist of the year (soca): Patrice Roberts

People’s choice award: Wit: Kes

Artist of the decade: Vybz Kartel

Collaboration of the year (soca): GBM Nutron & DJ Spider, “Down Dey”

Collaboration of the year (dancehall/reggae): Skeng & Nicki Minaj, “Likkle Miss”

Video of the year (dancehall/reggae): Popcaan & Toni-Anne Singh, “Next to Me”

Video of the year (soca): Patrice Roberts, “Mind My Business”

Best new artist (dancehall): Valiant

Best new artist (reggae): Samora

Best new artist (soca): Tempa

Kompa band of the year: Klass

Dance song of the year: Ding Dong, “BOUNCE”

Performer of the year (dancehall): Dexta Daps

Album of the year (reggae): Kabaka Pyramid, The Kalling

Lifetime achievement award: Machel Montano

Elite icon award: Beres Hammond

Humanitarian award: Buju Banton // The Buji Baton Foundation 

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It’s ‘True’: Gary Kemp to Be Named a BMI Icon at 2023 BMI London Awards

August 31, 2023

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Gary Kemp of Spandau Ballet will be named a BMI Icon at the 2023 BMI London Awards, to be held Oct. 2 at The Savoy Hotel. The private event will be hosted by BMI president & CEO Mike O’Neill.
Kemp is best-known for writing Spandau Ballet’s swoon-inducing 1983 smash “True.” The song topped the Official U.K. Singles Chart for four weeks and reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Eight years later, it was sampled in PM Dawn’s “Set Adrift on Memory Bliss,” a No. 1 hit on the Hot 100.

In addition, producer Richard Isong, better known as P2J, will receive the BMI Impact Award, which recognizes ground-breaking artistry, creative vision and impact on the future of music. This marks the first time a producer has received this honor.

“We’re in for an exciting night celebrating our BMI family of U.K. and European songwriters, composers and music publishers,” O’Neill said in a statement. “We’re thrilled to pay tribute to the legendary Gary Kemp in recognition of his incredible creative accomplishments. His timeless songs have reached multiple generations, leaving a lasting impression on the world of entertainment and inspired many to follow in his footsteps. We’re also honoured to present P2J with the BMI Impact Award. His work is a testament to the unifying power of music in bridging cultures and captivating audiences worldwide.”

The ceremony will also honor the U.K. and European songwriters and publishers of the previous year’s most-performed songs on U.S. streaming, radio and television from BMI’s repertoire. The Million-Air Awards, song of the year, and awards for pop, film, television and cable television music will also be presented throughout the evening.

Kemp is one of the most successful songwriters to come out of the New Romantic era in British pop music. As a founding member and guitarist for Spandau Ballet, Kemp wrote the lyrics and music for all of the band’s hits. “True” has received more than 5 million airplays in North America alone. “Gold,” “Communication” and “Only When You Leave” also made the Hot 100.

Kemp’s songs have been sampled by many artists, including Backstreet Boys, PM Dawn, Nelly, Paul Anka, Rui da Silva and Lloyd. As a solo artist, Kemp has released two albums for Columbia Records, Little Bruises (1995) and Insolo (2021). He’s also written two musicals with Guy Pratt, with whom he currently co-hosts a podcast called the Rockonteurs. For the last five years, Kemp has toured with Nick Mason’s band Saucerful of Secrets as co-lead singer and guitarist.

Kemp is also an accomplished actor and author. He has appeared in several films, including the 1992 blockbuster The Bodyguard and the British crime thriller The Krays. In 2009, he authored his autobiography, I Know This Much: From Soho to Spandau.

Kemp has received a Q Award, a BRIT Award, an IVOR Novello for outstanding song collection and five BMI Awards. As a BMI Icon, he joins an elite group of recipients including Bee Gees, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Ray Davies, Peter Gabriel, Queen, Sting and Van Morrison.

P2J will be recognized with the BMI Impact Award for the influence he’s had on the future of music. Previous winners are Tems, RAYE and Arlo Parks.

For the past decade, P2J has established himself as an in-demand producer through his work with chart-topping artists such as BeyoncĂ©, Burna Boy, Doja Cat, Gorillaz, Ed Sheeran and WizKid. His work spans multiple genres, including pop, grime, rap and Afrobeats. P2J received his first Grammy nomination late last year – album of the year – for his work on Beyoncé’s Renaissance. His music has amassed more than a billion streams.

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BMG Revenues Rise 11.5% In First Half of 2023 Through Catalog Buys and Strong Publishing Growth

August 30, 2023

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LONDON — BMG’s revenues jumped 11.5% to 414 million euros ($450 million) in the first half of 2023, fueled by strong growth in the company’s publishing business and a number of high-profile acquisitions, including a major interest in Paul Simon‘s portion of the Simon & Garfunkel catalog and a deal for George Harrison’s solo recordings.

The record label and publisher’s operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were up 23% (on a constant currency basis) to 90 million euros ($98 million) at the mid-year point ended June 30, according to figures released Wednesday Aug. 30 by BMG’s German parent company Bertelsmann.

Classic songs from Blondie, Kurt Cobain, Daryl Hall & John Oates, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards – coupled with hit releases by contemporary artists like Lewis Capaldi and Austrian rapper RAF Camora — helped drive the company’s 62% of revenues that come from publishing. That equates to around 257 million euros ($280 million) by Billboard’s calculation (the company didn’t break out revenue numbers).

Recorded music represented 34% of revenue (around $152 million) with Jelly Roll, Kylie Minogue, Godsmack and Rita Ora among BMG’s top-selling recording artists. Among its most listened-to catalog titles were tracks by Motley Crue, Black Sabbath and George Harrison.

In total, BMG said its digital businesses accounted for 63% of revenue, down from 69% in the first half of the previous year. The company said the decrease was due to higher digital revenues being offset by stronger growth in live revenues, driven by a post-pandemic surge in touring.

BMG CEO Thomas Coesfeld, who took over from longstanding chief executive Hartwig Masuch July 1, said the double-digit percentage growth reflected the company’s “strong performance in the face of an increasingly tough market.”

“Against the background of a soft advertising market, a maturing subscription streaming business and a physical music market impacted by inflation-driven cost increases, this is a very positive result,” said Coesfeld in a statement.

Breaking down the revenues on a regional basis, the U.S. was BMG’s biggest market, generating 217 million euros ($236 million), a rise of £14 million euros ($15 million) on the first half of 2022. Germany was BMG’s second biggest market with revenues of 49 million euros ($53 million), followed by the United Kingdom, which brought in 42 million ($46 million).

BMG completed 15 acquisitions in the six-month reporting period, including a deal for Paul Simon’s royalty and neighboring rights income to the full recorded Simon & Garfunkel catalog. Other deals closed in the first half of this year included the acquisition of the song catalog of 1960s British band The Hollies and a share of the writer’s royalties from the heavily synced German Eurodance group SNAP!

In February, BMG reached an agreement with Dark Horse Records over George Harrison’s solo works, marking the first time that the former Beatle’s recorded and publishing rights have sat together under the same roof. To commemorate Harrison’s Feb. 25 birthday, Dark Horse and BMG released Harrison’s entire catalog in Dolby Atmos surround sound exclusively on Apple Music.

Alongside BMG, Bertelsmann’s media holdings include RTL Group, Penguin Random House and service provider Arvato. Bertelsmann reported total revenue of 9.7 billion euros ($10.6 billion) for the first six months of the year, up 4.5% on the previous year. Organic revenue growth was 2.3%.

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Bjork Wins Best Live Performance Ahead of 2023 AIM Independent Music Awards (Full List of Nominees)

August 23, 2023

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The Association of Independent Music (AIM) has revealed its nominees in 12 categories for the 2023 AIM Awards.
RAYE and Shygirl each received three nominations. 070 Shake, who collaborated with RAYE on “Escapism,” received two, as did Ezra Collective, Overmono and ENNY. Other notable nominees include: Wet Leg, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Yves Tumor, Little Simz and Rina Sawayama.

AIM also revealed the winners of two awards.

Björk won the publicly-voted Best Live Performance award, besting Beabadoobee, MUNA and Japan’s kawaii-metal girl band BABYMETAL.

Dr. Charisse Beaumont, CEO of Black Lives in Music (BLiM), was named Diversity Champion in recognition of her groundbreaking work in creating an inclusive music industry, such as the rollout of BLiM’s voluntary Music Industry Anti-Racism Code.

The AIM Independent Music Awards recognizes the achievements of independent labels, artists and entrepreneurs that make up the U.K.’s independent music sector.

Silvia Montello, CEO of AIM, said in a statement: “The AIM Independent Music Awards are a night to celebrate the best of the UK’s independent music community, and to showcase its triumphs and innovations. We are proud to be able to honour the diversity and talent across the UK ‘s independent labels, artists, entrepreneurs and champions and it’s fantastic to see continued public recognition of Björk’s trailblazing live shows!”

The awards will be presented at London’s Roundhouse on Sept. 26.

The ceremony will celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, an anniversary that has been feted at numerous awards shows already this year. The segment, supported by BBC 1Xtra, will recognize hip-hop’s influence and its lasting impact on the emergence of jungle, grime and drum & bass. 

Here’s a complete list of nominees for the 2023 AIM Awards.

Best Live Performance

Björk  (One Little Independent)

Diversity Champion

Charisse Beaumont – Black Lives in Music

PPL Award for Most Played New Independent Artist

AntsLive (Payday Records, Trademark Records)

John Summit (Off The Grid Records)

Surya Sen (Skint Records)

Vibe Chemistry (DnB Allstars Records)

Wet Leg (Domino Records)

Music Entrepreneur of the Year

Alex Brees – Un:hurd

Caius Pawson – Young / Space

Jess Kangalee – Good Energy PR

Keturah Cummings – Forward Slash

Yasin El Ashrafi – HQ Familia

Best Boutique Label

Chess Club

Glasgow Underground

Houndstooth

Rough Bones

So Young Records

Best Independent Label

Defected Records

Forever Living Originals

Hospital Records

One Little Independent

Transgressive

Best Creative Campaign

Because Music (Shygirl – “Nymph”)

Dirty Hit (Rina Sawayama – “Hold the Girl”)

Human Re Sources (RAYE – “My 21st Century Blues”)

Ninja Tune (Young Fathers – “Heavy Heavy”)

Partisan Records (Ezra Collective – “Where I’m Meant to Be”)

XL Recordings (Yaeji – “With a Hammer”)

UK Independent Breakthrough

Ezra Collective (Partisan Records)

I.Jordan (Ninja Tune)

Overmono (XL Recordings)

Shygirl (Because Music)

Suki Waterhouse (Sub Pop)

Best Independent Track (Meta)

Connie Constance – “Hurt You” (Play It Again Sam)

ENNY – “Charge It” (FAMM)

Four Tet – “Three Drums” (Text Records)

Makaya McCraven – “Dream Another” (XL Recordings)

Overmono – “Good Lies” (XL Recordings)

RAYE, 070 Shake – “Escapism” (Human Re Sources) 

Shygirl – “Shlut” (Because Music) 

Sudan Archives – “Selfish Soul” (Stones Throw Records)

Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Spitting Off the Edge of the World” feat. Perfume Genius (Secretly Canadian)

Yves Tumor – “Echolalia” (Warp Records)

Best Independent EP/ Mixtape 

Bellah – Adultsville (Base ‘N’ Rebulz X Marathon Music Group)

ENNY – We Go Again (FAMM)

Jessica Winter – Limerance (Lucky Number)

Saint Joshua – EP2 (Ditto Music)

yunù pinku – BABYLON IX (PLATOON)

Best Independent Album 

Avelino – God Save The Streets (More Music Records/ OddChild Music)

Kelela – Raven (Warp Records)

Little Simz – No Thank You (Forever Living Originals)

Nova Twins – Supernova (Marshall Records)

Obongjayar – Some Nights I Dream of Doors (September Recordings)

Oliver Sim – Hideous Bastard (Young)

RAYE – My 21st Century Blues (Human Re Sources)

Rina Sawayama – Hold the Girl (Dirty Hit)

Shygirl – Nymph (Because Music)

Wu-Lu – LOGGERHEAD(Warp Records) 

Best Independent Remix 

Sega Bodega Remix (One Little Independent) – Björk – “Ovuke” (feat. Shygirl)

Soulwax Remix (Deewee / Because Music) – Charlotte AdigĂ©ry & Bolis Pupul – “ClichĂ©â€

Nu:Tone Remix (Hospital Records) – GLXY – “Butterfly Effect” (feat. Hugh Hardie & Visionobi)

Jamie XX remix (Young) – Oliver Sim – “GMT”

Boys Noize (Secretly Canadian) – Yeah Yeah Yeahs – “Wolf”

One to Watch (BBC Music Introducing)

Jessica Winter (Lucky Number)

Juice Menace (Supernature)

FLOWEROVLOVE (FAE GRP)

Laughta (MDLBEAST)

Master Peace (PMR)

Best Independent Video (Vevo)

Ezra Collective – “No Confusion” ft. Kojey Radical (Partisan Records)

Kelela – “Enough for Love” (Warp Records)

Obongjayar – “I Wish It Was Me (Live)” (September Recordings)

RAYE, 070 Shake – “Escapism” (Human Re Sources)

Wesley Joseph – “MONSOON” (EEVILTWINN)