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14 Aug 2023

Samsung’s Curved Monitor ‘Brings Videos to Life’ & Is Currently 32% Off on Amazon

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If you work from home and/or are an avid gamer, the tech you use can impact how you get your work done. New tech isn’t cheap though, and you don’t always have a spare $200 to drop on a new computer monitor or laptop. Thankfully, there’s an Amazon deal on a new Samsung monitor you’ll want to race over to. The Samsung Curved Monitor is currently 32% off marking it down to $149.99 (regularly $219.99).

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Unlike traditional computer monitors, this curved design will help give you a wider view of graphics using a panoramic screen design. Gamers can enjoy a more immersive experience as the screen aims to curve around you. One reviewer even went as far as to say the digital display “brings videos to life” it’s so crisp.

Keep reading to shop the Samsung monitor deal below.

black curved monitor with screen saver

Amazon

Samsung Curved Computer Monitor

$149.99 $219.99 32% OFF

Save 32% on the Samsung Curved Computer Monitor and enjoy features such as a 27-inch screen that provides a panoramic view. It comes with “eye saver mode,” which will help reduce blue light emission and is made with a 3000:1 contrast ratio to bring you deep black and bright white shades when relevant. Looking to save energy? The model includes energy-saving mode to reduce how much output you’re using in a sitting.

Amazon has also given it a 4.6-star rating with over 15,000 shoppers rating it five-stars. One shopper has even described their gaming experience as “immaculate” since incorporating it into their computer setup as the video display is that good.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best speakers, Xbox deals and over-ear headphones.

14 Aug 2023

Chuck D Calls on Eric Adams to ‘Free Kidd Creole’ During Public Enemy’s Hip-Hop 50 Bronx Concert

New York City was popping over the weekend with #HipHop50 concerts and parties celebrating the NYC-spawned art form that began at DIY parties in housing projects and has grown into the most popular genre of music in America.

While Friday (Aug. 11) night’s Yankee Stadium concert featuring A-listers and neglected genre pioneers understandably got the most shine, ITSALLBLACKMUSIC’s 5X5 Block Party series ensured that each borough’s role in hip-hop’s evolution was honored, too. On Saturday (Aug. 12) at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, luminaries from Public Enemy to KRS-One to Talib Kweli made damn sure the birthplace of hip-hop was rocking for the genre’s 50th anniversary.

Chuck D was listed on flyers as one of the Bronx concert’s headliners, but with Flavor Flav joining him on stage, Public Enemy was in full effect outside the residential building that hosted a storied breakbeat-heavy set in a rec room by DJ Kool Herc on Aug. 11, 1973. (That party, put on by Herc and his sister Cindy Campbell, is one of many key events in the genre’s genesis, but for purposes of the global #HipHop50 celebrations, their party at 1520 Sedgwick is the reason Aug. 11 is celebrated as birthday of hip-hop.)

Unapologetic as always, Chuck D said Public Enemy was offered a spot at the all-star Yankee Stadium concert but turned it down when KRS-One asked the group to make sure the Bronx birthplace got its dues on the anniversary. “F—k Yankee Stadium,” Chuck D concluded.

In between classic cuts like “Bring the Noise,” “911 Is a Joke” and “Fight the Power” (which still pack a wallop thanks to Chuck and Flav’s runaway-train energy), Chuck D demonstrated to the audience — a cross-generational swath of current residents, former locals trading tales of the not-necessarily-so-good-old-days and younger fans who needed Google Maps just to find the spot — that PE remains as politically outspoken as ever.

Chuck asked people to take out their phones, then reminded everyone that phones can be used to track your location and store data about you. He also shouted out imprisoned hip-hop pioneer Kidd Creole of Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five (not to be confused with the lead singer of Kid Creole and the Coconuts, another Bronx legend) and claimed the retired rapper, whose real name is Nathaniel Glover, was “railroaded” by the system.

“Free Kidd Creole,” Chuck said, adding that “someone needs to talk to [NYC Mayor] Eric Adams” about the situation.

In April 2022, Glover was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 16 years in prison for stabbing a homeless man, who later died in a hospital, in 2017. Glover’s attorney argued the stabbing was in self-defense, alleging Glover felt threatened after the man approached him around midnight in midtown Manhattan.

14 Aug 2023

8 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson, HunterGirl & More

This week in country: Carly Pearce offers up a tribute to the genre, Cody Johnson honors a life-changing, steadfast love, Carrie Underwood sees what’s good — and what’s missing — in an ex’s new relationship, and HunterGirl elevates a career-surging story.

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Meanwhile, O.N.E the Duo bring sass and substance to their new release and Ingrid Andress teams with Switchfoot in this week’s batch of new music. Check it all out below.

Carly Pearce, “Country Music Made Me Do It”

“I wear my hair a little too high/ and my heartbreak on my sleeve,” Grammy winner Pearce declares on this new release, her warm, dusty voice succinctly wrapping her musical lineage (from Loretta Lynn to Dolly Parton to Barbara Mandrell) into a single verse.

Digging deeper, and working again with Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally, Pearce artfully lays the blame for a litany of life choices on the imprint left on her by decades of country music. Early heartbreaks, flirtations with whiskey, her small town-to-ballgown journey of stardom, divorce and more are laid at the proverbial feet of three chords and the truth.

Since her debut single in 2017, Pearce has forged her commitment to the genre with her twangy vocals, Opry performances, traditionally oriented instrumentation and songs like “Dear Loretta” and “What He Didn’t Do.” With her new release, this CMA female vocalist of the year winner is simply saying it ever more boldly.

Cody Johnson, “The Painter”

Johnson became a CMA Award-winning juggernaut last year with “‘Til You Can’t,” an ode to making the most of every moment and cherishing time with loved ones. Here, he reprises his sentimental tone, offering a glorious ode to a lover who brings a kaleidoscope of colors to his life, someone who “finds the beauty in the thrown away and broken things.”

As with “‘Til You Can’t,” Johnson may not be a writer on this song (that distinction goes to Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins), but he proves yet again that he possesses a keen ear for great song and a standout lyric.

HunterGirl, “Ain’t About You”

“Strumming strings used to feel like breathing/ Now it takes your breath away, counting years and counting reasons it won’t work,” HunterGirl sings, laying dreamy vocals over reverberating chords, elevating the doughty struggle of turning a passion into a viable career.

HunterGirl crafted this song solo, just weeks before her career-pivoting audition for American Idol, in which she earned runner-up status.

William Michael Morgan, “In Walked You”

Morgan first broke through with “I Met a Girl” back in 2015, earning a No. 2 hit on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart. Though subsequent singles failed to replicate that early success and Morgan parted ways with his former label home in 2019, he continues issuing his sterling brand of neo-traditional country. His latest, written by Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne and Ross Copperman, proves a perfect foil for Morgan’s smooth, ’90s country-indebted voice. The softly swinging melody, burnished fiddle and guitar — and gentle meet cute tale of love in a barroom — should excite any fans of George Strait and Alan Jackson.

Carrie Underwood, “Give Her That”

Her ex-lover has moved on to a new relationship, giving his new love roses, love and possibly even a diamond ring — but she knows he’ll never be able to give away the time he previously had with her. Over rippling, R&B-tinged guitar, Underwood sings of cataloging items and moments both simple and profound — an old Lynyrd Skynyrd band shirt, his mama’s necklace. Sonically, this track doesn’t break new ground, but rather fits comfortably within the bounds of her upcoming deluxe version of Denim & Rhinestones, out Sept. 22.

Steep Canyon Rangers, “Recommend Me”

This venerable bluegrass outfit takes inspiration from a literary title (Wiley Cash’s When Ghosts Come Home) on this new song. Vocalist Graham Sharp’s warm, cracked vocals convey a tale of two characters who are committed to one another, no matter what trials they have had to traverse. Atop subdued, shimmery fiddle and guitars, the song’s lyrical apex comes as one of the characters reaches a stark realization: “Once I thought that in my arms/ This world might never do you harm/ And all this time I could not see It’s been you protecting me.”

“Recommend Me” is is an early glimpse into SCR’s upcoming album Morning Shift, out Sept. 8 on Yep Roc Records.

O.N.E the Duo, Blood Harmony

This mother-daughter duo’s debut album finds their familial harmonies soaring over a churning of pop and R&B, yet dripping with country twang, fiddle and harmonica. Sultry R&B and searing fiddle team up as they take on “”Jolene and Jezebel” in “Hoedown.” “Hearts Like Mine” feels more down the center, reminiscent of the pop-inflected country currently dominating radio, while the muddy, bluesy “River of Sin” is a stellar harmony showboat. The smoky “One Minute to Midnight” oozes sex and soul. Overall, a top-shelf offering for those who prefer smooth R&B Southern style, and shot through with tantalizing harmonies.

Ingrid Andress with Switchfoot, “On Fire”

Twenty years after the release of Switchfoot’s breakthrough album The Beautiful Letdown, they give the project a refresh, welcoming artists to reimagine many of the album’s tracks — including this vibey take on “On Fire.” “Hearts Like Mine” hitmaker Andress supplies her smooth, serene voice to this track, working with her longtime co-producer Sam Ellis to bring a more polished, cleaner rendering than the original, but one that still evokes a crush-struck yearning.

14 Aug 2023

The Black Godfather: Clarence Avant, Famed Entertainment Executive, Dies At 92

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Clarence Avant

Clarence Avant, a famed executive who dedicated his working life to a wide range of entertainment interests, has died according to reports. Dubbed “The Black Godfather,” Clarence Avant stood both as a powerful and influential figure in the world of entertainment and also a mentor to those who went on to forge their own formidable paths.

Clarence Avant was born on Feb. 25, 1931, in Greensboro, N.C. In the late 1940s, Avant moved to New Jersey and began working at a music lounge in Newark. Mentored by Joe Glaser, Louis Armstrong’s manager, Avant learned the ropes of the music business under his tutelage in the 1950s ahead of managing the careers of Lalo Schifrin and Jimmy Smith in the 1960s. Avant also managed the careers of Sarah Vaughan, and jazz producer Creed Taylor among others.

Avant oversaw the sale of the soul label Stax Records, adding to a number of other deals he helped broker at the time. Avant was also once the chairman of the board at Motown Records and went on to become the first Black board member at PolyGram. Avant’s interests also moved into the world of politics, and he advised Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama.

As a mentor to future greats, Avant lent his time to assist Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, L.A. Reid, Sylvia Rhone, Jimmy Iovine, Babyface, Jheryl Busby and more. Avant’s imprint on the entertainment world that powerful figures such as Quincy Jones lauded him for his efforts and lasting influence.

In a statement from his children, Nicole Avant and Alex Avant, and his son-in-law Ted Sarandos, the family made note of Avant’s significant contributions to the culture at large.

“It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant. Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘The Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music, entertainment, politics, and sports. Clarence leaves behind a loving family and a sea of friends and associates that have changed the world and will continue to change the world for generations to come. The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss. Clarence passed away gently at home in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 13, 2023. He was 92,” the statement reads.

2020 Roc Nation THE BRUNCH - Inside

Avant was the subject of a documentary titled The Black Godfather, highlighting his rich career behind the scenes as one of the most powerful executives of his era. We feature the trailer for the 2019 documentary below.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, tributes to Clarence Avant have been posted. We’ll share a handful below.



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Photo: The Avant Family

14 Aug 2023

‘Wholesale Theft’: Labels Sue Internet Group for Copyright Infringement Over Digitized Vinyl Records

Universal Music, Sony Music and Concord are suing the Internet Archive over a project to digitize old vinyl records from Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Bing Crosby and other iconic artists, calling it “blatant” copyright infringement under a “smokescreen” of preservation.

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In a complaint filed Friday in Manhattan federal court, the labels took aim at the Internet Archive’s “Great 78 Project,” in which thousands of physical records have been digitized and made available to users for free. They called the project “wholesale theft of generations of music.”

“The Great 78 website is a massive, unauthorized, digital record store of recordings,” lawyers for the music companies wrote. “Although Internet Archive describes the Great 78 Project’s goal as ‘the preservation, research and discovery of 78 rpm records,’ the Great 78 Project is actually an illegal effort to willfully defy copyright law on an astonishing scale.”

Though they claim “hundreds of thousands” of songs have been illegally copied, the labels are specifically suing over 2,749 songs – every single one of which, they say, is already available on legal digital services. They include iconic tracks like Crosby’s “White Christmas” and Sinatra’s “I’ve Got the World on a String.”

“Defendants [cannot] justify their activities as necessary to preserve historical recordings,” the music companies wrote. “These recordings face no danger of being lost, forgotten, or destroyed.”

The lawsuit is hardly the Internet Archive’s first dust-up with copyright law. The group fought to invalidate legislation passed by Congress in the 1990s that added years onto the length of a copyright’s term of protection, and is currently embroiled in a lawsuit filed by the major book publishers over a COVID-era library project that scanned physical books and lent them to users for free. Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that Internet Archive’s project was not a legal fair use of the publishers’ books.

In Friday’s complaint, the music companies cited the Internet Archive’s “long history of opposing copyright laws” and previous efforts to “improperly … wrap its infringing conduct in the ill-fitting mantle of fair use.”

“Having failed repeatedly in Congress and the courts, Internet Archive now chooses to simply willfully disobey the copyright laws of which it is acutely aware,” lawyers for the music companies wrote.

At issue in Friday’s complaint are so-called pre-1972 songs – a category of music that was previously not covered by federal sound recording copyrights. But in 2018, federal lawmakers extended such protection to the old songs as part of the Music Modernization Act. In their complaint, the music companies said they were suing to “vindicate the rights Congress has granted creators in pre-1972 sound recordings.”

“When Defendants exploit Plaintiffs’ sound recordings without authorization, neither Plaintiffs nor their artists see a dime,” the companies wrote. “Not only does this harm Plaintiffs and the artists or their heirs by depriving them of compensation, but it undermines the value of music.”

The lawsuit is seeking so-called statutory damages for each copyrighted song allegedly infringed, which could total $412 million if fully granted. But such damages totals are heavily litigated and could be substantially lower if the case ever reaches a final judgment.

In addition to naming the Internet Archive itself as a defendant, the lawsuit also individually names the group’s founder, Brewster Kahle, as well as George Blood, an audio engineer who allegedly worked on the Great 78 project.

The Internet Archive did not immediately return a request for comment.

Read the entire complaint filed against the Internet Archive here:

14 Aug 2023

Jonas Brothers Kick Off Tour With 67-Song Setlist & Surprise Jimmy Fallon Appearance

Just one night after Hip Hop 50 Live rocked Yankee Stadium, Jonas Brothers took over the iconic New York City venue on Saturday (Aug. 12) for the opening night of their massive “Five Albums. One Night. The World Tour” trek.

The band’s latest world tour, which currently boasts a whopping 94 shows, features a setlist comprised of every song from each of their previous four studio albums — 2007’s Jonas Brothers, 2008’s A Little Bit Longer, 2009’s Lines, Vines and Trying Times and 2019’s Happiness Begins — as well as selections from 2023’s The Album, standalone singles such as “What a Man Gotta Do” and “Leave Before You Love Me,” and solo tracks like Nick Jonas’ “Jealous” and Joe Jonas’ (by way of DNCE) “Cake by the Ocean.” As Nick Jonas told People, “It’s our most ambitious show we’ve ever put on, in the sense that building out five albums in one night was a challenge that I don’t think we fully understood after we’d already put it on sale.” He continued, “It’s amazing to just go back and look at the road that brought us to this moment now.”

As it has often been for the past decade-and-a-half, it was a family affair. Nick Jonas’ wife, Citadel star Priyanka Chopra Jonas, attended the tour’s opening night show, and she brought along their 18-month-old daughter, Malti Marie Chopra Jonas, to soundcheck. “From soundcheck to the stage with my girls. Yankees night one was beyond words,” Nick captioned a photo of him and his daughter sitting behind a drum kit. Joe Jonas’ wife, Emmy-nominated actress Sophie Turner, was also in attendance, standing alongside Chopra Jonas as the two took in the show together.

The celebrity appearances didn’t stop with the immediate Jonas Family. During the band’s second night at Yankee Stadium, Jimmy Fallon surprised fans with a sing-along to The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside.” “Huge thanks to @jonasbrothers for giving me the surprise guest spot on ‘The Tour’ tour. And thank you to @yankeestadium for turning it into the world’s biggest karaoke party. This is one of those nights I will never forget,” Fallon posted on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Sunday night (Aug. 13).

In addition to Fallon, Grammy-winning gospel music superstar Kirk Franklin and Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter Jon Bellion joined Jonas Brothers for the first nights of The Tour. Both Franklin and Bellion appeared for a rendition of “Walls,” the lead single from The Album, which peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard 200 back in May. Jonas Brothers even brought out their former security guard Robert “Big Rob” Feggans to rap his fan-favorite verse on “Burnin’ Up” (No. 5), one of the band’s several Hot 100 top ten hits to appear on the setlist. Jonas Brothers’ other top ten hits on The Tour setlist include 2008’s “Tonight” (No. 8) and 2019’s “Sucker” (No. 1).

Following their two sold-out Yankee Stadium shows, Jonas Brothers have announced a fifth hometown show at Prudential Center in New Jersey. Check out some videos of their performances below.

14 Aug 2023

Bad Bunny & Kendall Jenner Pack on the PDA at Drake’s L.A. Concert

Un Verano Sin Ti? More like “un verano con Kendall.” Bad Bunny and Kendall Jenner were captured on video in full couple mode at Drake‘s Sunday night (Aug. 13) concert at SoFi Stadium, the latest chapter in their blooming spring/summer romance.

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In clips recorded by fans at the show, the model and the Latin music star can be seen dancing while holding hands, whispering things into each other’s ears and wrapping their arms around each other’s necks and waists.

At one point, Benito seemingly said something to the Kardashians star that was so funny, she collapsed to the floor laughing.

Videos of the couple exiting the concert also made their way online, showing that they had a chaperone in Jenner’s famous big sister, Kim Kardashian. Dressed in a blue bodysuit, the Skims founder was seen at Bad Bunny’s side as the group pushed through the packed venue. Jenner and her beau were also seen posing for Kardashian as she snapped photos of them in the stands.

The “Me Porto Bonito” singer has reportedly been dating the model since early this year, with their relationship really heating up in the spring. The two looked extra cozy in April while at Coachella together, and in May, they were all lovey-dovey while sitting courtside at a Lakers game together, wearing matching snakeskin boots.

Benito and Kendall have also been spotted on a number of dates over the summer, though they still haven’t officially confirmed their romance. Bunny seemingly explained why in his June Rolling Stone cover story, telling the publication: “I know something is going to come out. I know [people are] going to say something. People know everything about me, so what’s left for me to protect? My private life, my personal life. That’s the only answer. In the end, the only thing I have is my privacy.”

See clips of Bad Bunny with Kendall Jenner at Drake’s concert below.

14 Aug 2023

Britney Spears Sensually Pole Dances to Nine Inch Nails’ ‘Closer’: Watch

Britney Spears is putting her dance skills to the test with a brand new apparatus. On Sunday (Aug. 13), the “…Baby One More Time” hitmaker revealed that she recently purchased a hot pink dancer pole, and put it to work in a video posted to her Instagram.

The clip finds the 41-year old donning a two-piece, leopard print bikini with matching gloves and black-heeled boots, dancing to Nine Inch Nails’ grinding 1994 industrial rock single, “Closer.” Spears sensually dips and dances around the pole, occasionally using the apparatus to nail a spin or straddle as Trent Rezor’s urgent voice provides the soundtrack for her pole-formance.

“I wanna f–k you like an animal/ I wanna feel you from the inside/ I wanna f–k you like an animal/ My whole existence is flawed/ You get me closer to God,” Reznor sings, as Spears dances with reckless abandon. “Got this pole two days ago and last night was my first time on it !!!” she captioned her post.

The pole dancing video is the latest in Spears’ dance series — last week, she posted a clip of her dancing to Janet Jackson’s 1993 track, “If,” noting that she “was a little pissed” on the day she filmed the video. The week prior, she posted a video of her performing a contemporary dance to Indila’s “S.O.S.” in her living room.

The singer also recently released her latest collaboration with the Black Eyed Peas’ will.i.am, “Mind Your Business,” her second piece of new music since the end of her 13-year conservatorship and the follow-up to last year’s “Hold Me Closer” duet with Elton John.

Watch Spears’ new pole dance below.

14 Aug 2023

Songwriters’ Streaming Royalty Rates for 2018-2022 (Phonorecords III) Are In the Books

The Copyright Royalty Board’s final determination for royalty rates for making and distributing phonorecords for the 2018-2022 term (aka Phonorecords III) were published by the Federal Register late last week, following a legal review — and close check for typos — by the office of Register of Copyrights Shira Perlmutter.

The majority of the rates determination is no surprise. Since the official remand by an Appeals Court in October 2020 — which followed a March 2019 appeal by digital services of the CRB’s February 2019 rates determination for the 2018-2022 term — the CRB judges had been wrestling with different aspects of the complicated mechanical rate formula cited by the appeal courts, with various aspects of the rates determination coming out in dribs and drabs over the last eight months.

As is already known, the CRB judges stayed with the escalating rate structure for the all-in percentage of revenue prong, which covers both mechanical and performance royalties, for on-demand streaming for the 2018-2022 period.

(The 21% of total content cost is for performance royalties are determined by a separate process but whatever was agreed to be paid to ASCAP, BMI and the other performance royalty organization is subtracted from the all-in bucket in one step of the process to determine one of the mechanical rates bucket.)

That rate structure escalated from 10.5% in the prior five-year term of 2013-2017 to 11.2% in 2018, 12.3% in 2019, 13.4% in 2020; 14.2% in 2021, and 15.1% in 2022. But in moving to the other all-in prong — the total cost of content prong, i.e. what the services pay the record labels — the CRB judges re-installed the ceiling, which prevents publishers and songwriters from automatically being rewarded when labels and artists negotiations higher rates from the services; and the judges abandoned the earlier escalating rate structure from its initial 2019 determination for the total cost of content prong, which similarly rose in annual increments from 21% of what’s paid to labels to 26.1% over the five year term. Instead, the judges stuck with 21% of total content cost for the full five-year term — the same percentage it had been in the previous five years.

(This article mainly uses the percentages from what’s known as the stand-alone portable streaming model, i.e. the main on-demand streaming vehicle, which at Spotify is known as the paid subscriber tier. The ad-supported rate is 22% of what’s paid to labels.)

In other moves, the CRB stuck with 9.1 cents per song for physical and downloads and 24 cents per ringtone for Phonorecord III. In Phonorecords IV, for 2023-2027, the royalty rate for ringtones would remain the same but the per song rate will earn 12 cents per track or 2.31 cents per minute of playing time or fraction thereof, whichever amount is larger for physical products and permanent downloads. Also, that rate will be subject to an annual cost-of-living adjustment.

Before an Appeals Court remanded a significant part of the CRB rate determination for 2018-2022 back to the CRB, digital streaming services were adhering to the structure of the initial determination which means that for some 33 months the formula applied the higher rates for the total cost of content prong without a ceiling. As such, industry sources speculate that some digital services overpaid during that period — and Billboard estimates that they might have over paid by $50 million.

But after the remand most services reverted back to the 2013-2017 rates of which used the headline rate of 10.5% of revenue, and consequently most industry financial sources suggest that the service underpaid from October 2020 through December 2022. Consequently, Billboard estimates that digital services collectively might owe $200 million to $250 million for the latter period. Looking at the two period, with the earlier one 2018-2020 partially offsetting the later period of 2021-2022, that could mean a $200 million windfall for publishers and songwriters.

Now that this has all been settled, the Mechanical Licensing Collective—working with required updated information from the digital services—has six months from the Aug. 10 date to make adjustments in what has been paid and what may still be owed from 2021 and 2022, the two years the MLC has been in operation. It will also have to rectify any under or over payments for unclaimed and unpaid royalties from the earlier periods before it began operations— a responsibility it was handed as part of the Music Modernization Act.

But besides the unpaid royalties, any needed adjustments to the rest of the payments made to publishers and songwriters during the 2018-2020 period will be handled by the digital services, likely with the help of their third party vendors, i.e. Music Reports Inc and the Harry Fox Agency.

The Phonorecords IV rate determination for 2023-2027 preceded the final determination for Phonorecords III, as it was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 16, 2022.

14 Aug 2023

Lil Durk Concert Ends With Fans Looting The Merchandise At The Venue

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The Summer Smash 2023

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A Lil Durk concert ended in chaos after fans in attendance resorted to looting the venue following reports of an active shooter on the premises.

According to Digital Music News, Durk’s show in Chicago Saturday night (Aug. 12) ended up making noise for all the wrong reasons after police received a call saying there was an active shooter at the United Center. What was actually happening was that fans were making a fast dash to the exits while others were robbing merchandise from the show before making a break for it. How or why the looting begun is anyone’s guess, but when police arrived they found no signs of anyone discharging a firearm.

Digital Music Reports:

Although authorities arrived at the United Center looking for the shooter, Chicago PD confirmed the call was a false alarm, with no injuries or arrests made. That said, another report stated that a 20-year-old woman claimed to have been stabbed after getting into an argument with three other concertgoers, but this has yet to be corroborated.

The United Center released a statement that the venue was working with authorities to investigate the looting incidents following the Lil Durk concert.

“It became apparent for all involved that ending the show early was in everyone’s best interest as the safety of our guests and employees is a priority,” said the United Center in its statement. “We are thankful that initial incident reports were false and that guests exited the facility safely.”

Following the incident, Durk took to his IG page to address the situation stating, “Don’t believe the hype, we bigger (than) big; thank you, Chicago,” Durk wrote in the caption. “Till next time, and who all stole the merchandise, tag me so I can repost y’all crazy a**.”

Yeah, should be interesting to see if anyone tags Durk on a post showcasing the merchandise they lifted from his show. Y’all know police be scrolling through social media.

Check out a clip of the chaos below, and let us know your thoughts on the situation in the comments section below.

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