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20 Mar 2023

AND1 Returns & Throws 30th Anniversary Bash In NYC

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AND1 Hosts 30TH Anniversary Party

Source: Soul Brother / Soul Brother

The iconic athletic brand AND1 is back in the limelight, marking its return with an anniversary party in New York City and a new movement with events occurring this summer.

For years, AND1 was a major part of the culture bringing streetball to the mainstream domestically and globally. Last Thursday (March 9), it celebrated three decades of that influence with an anniversary party in New York City that brought back its most recognizable faces, designers and other celebrities under the same roof.

The event was held at LUME Studios, an immersive design studio firm and facility located in lower Manhattan. The night kicked off with a panel discussion led by Dometi Pongo of MTV. The conversation’s focus was on AND1’s creation, its rise and enduring influence and what’s next for the brand. Taking part in the conversation was AND1’s Brand Director Dexter Gordon and Design Director Lars Astrom. Bronx streetball legend and one of the leading figures of AND1, Shane “The Dribble Machine” Woney, was also a part of the discussion.

The anniversary event was a preface to the brand’s launching of the “Summer of AND1.” The initiative will feature the return of their storied Open Run Tour as well as their Paint The Park initiative that brings street ballers and communities together. In addition, the company announced the release of The Rise and Chosen one CHAMPIONSHIP pack of sneakers, which debuted on their website on the following Friday.

Afterward, the stage was set for attendees to party and take in the galleries set up to display many items of memorabilia from AND1’s 30 years. These include jerseys from athletes who’ve worn the brand including NBA champion and Hall of Famer Ben Wallace of the Detroit Pistons (who was in attendance), Lance Stephenson and Chauncey Billups. Sneakers from the company were also on display. While DJ Annie Red held it down on the turntables, guests also got to check out videos and photos from the numerous AND1 Mixtape Tours and play the AND1 Streetball video game.

For more information, check out AND1’s website for upcoming merchandise drops and events. Check out some photos below.

AND1 Hosts 30TH Anniversary Party

Source: Soul Brother / Soul Brother

AND1 Hosts 30TH Anniversary Party

Source: Soul Brother / Soul Brother

AND1 Hosts 30TH Anniversary Party

Source: Soul Brother / Soul Brother

AND1 Hosts 30TH Anniversary Party

Source: Soul Brother / Soul Brother

AND1 Hosts 30TH Anniversary Party

Source: Soul Brother / Soul Brother

20 Mar 2023

Country Radio Seminar Strikes Optimistic Tone Amid Tech and Auto Unknowns

It’s telling that one of the most emotional moments during the Country Radio Seminar came when Darius Rucker and Brad Paisley led a large cast of artists in a cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain” at the close of the Universal Music Group Nashville (UMGN) showcase at the Ryman Auditorium on March 14.

Just the day before, Garth Brooks had addressed the divisiveness in modern America and encouraged country broadcasters to use their place at the microphone to bring people together: “Unify. Find common ground. Amplify our similarities instead of our differences.”

In “Purple Rain,” the assemblage demonstrated what that looked like, bridging genres and backgrounds to deliver a song that obliquely embraces connection as the world comes to an end. The arrangement included fiddle and Dobro, a significant cross-format augmentation of a song with anthemic pop/rock qualities. Rucker and Dalton Dover brought Black voices to the performance, notable in a genre that went decades with Charley Pride as its lone African American star. And covering Prince meant that Paisley — who had performed a dark track about opioid addiction less than a half-hour before — was now playing an extended guitar solo on a tune originated by a man who had died of an opioid overdose.

Just as important was the mass of people onstage: Vince Gill, Tyler Hubbard, Parker McCollum, Kassi Ashton, Sam Hunt and Catie Offerman were among those lined up behind the lead voices. And while most of the nation has regained some level of normalcy after the pandemic, every sign of people feeling safe to get together remains heartening.

A year ago, CRS attendees were chided for slow-moving charts and a lack of individuality. The format hasn’t changed significantly since then, though a committee is working to resolve those issues.

Meanwhile, 2023’s three-day conference, based at the Omni Nashville Hotel, found programmers in seemingly better spirits. Some 57% of country listeners believe the music is better than it was just a few years ago, according to a NuVoodoo study. Even 52% of consumers who have been country fans for over 10 years — the kind of listener most likely to complain that current music pales in comparison with the good old days — say the new music is better. Jacobs Media president Fred Jacobs, in a “Fred Talk” titled “The Future Ain’t What It Used To Be,” also noted that 62% of respondents in a 2023 survey cited their appreciation of the on-air talent as a motivating factor for listening to AM/FM. That exceeds the 55% of respondents who cited the music as a contributing factor to their radio consumption.

Stations would be wise, Jacobs suggested, to develop on-air talent that successfully connects with the audience. 

As technology becomes ever more dominant in daily life, it appears that interactions with people have greater value. Syndicated Audacy personality Josh “Bru” Brubaker, a Los Angeles-based 26-year-old whose radio background and TikTok skills have built a following in the millions, said in an “Okay Boomer” panel that simply being real goes a long way.

“Vulnerability and relatability has never been more important to our audiences, especially in Gen Z,” he said. “That’s something that we’ve been doing in radio ever since it’s been around, so play on our strengths. I think we overthink a lot of things. But those core things are what Gen Z is looking for. And we can use that to reinvigorate our audiences.”

That word “reinvigorate” is important, given that time spent listening to radio has dropped since the advent of streaming services. Brubaker recalled meeting a young fan who asked him, “What is radio?”

The medium, once dominant in American entertainment, faces a crowded field that includes audio and video streaming, satellite radio and broadcast and cable TV, plus streaming TV services and online games. The future will only grow more complicated.

Automobiles, where radio once dominated, are undergoing significant change. Jacobs showed images of pillar-to-pillar dashboards that manufacturers are designing with more in-car options than ever. FM radio, he noted, will need to up its visual game — taking advantage of logos and other graphic opportunities — to remain appealing to commuters. But AM radio faces a much bleaker future with the accelerating shift toward electric vehicles. The engines create interference problems, and AM is increasingly being booted from car interiors. Jacobs cited Ford specifically, though news site Axios indicated in a March 13 story that eight automakers — including BMW, Mazda, Tesla and Volkswagen — have dropped AM radio from their electric cars.

“After hanging around with automakers for the past 15 years, I don’t think they give a shit,” said Jacobs. “I think they’re going to make whatever they’re going to make, and AM radio is not a part of the future for them.”

One other change that could create structural issues for broadcasters is the adaptation of subscriptions. Detroit is toying with recurring payments, Jacobs said, that would bill owners monthly for heated seats, map updates or driving assistants. And he believes over-the-air radio could become yet another optional service rather than a standard feature.

Country’s future, as always, was on display at CRS. Mackenzie Carpenter infused ultra-Southern phrasing in the hooky “Don’t Mess With Exes” during the Big Machine showcase. Avery Anna fielded a tuneful kiss-off with “Narcissist” on Warner Music Nashville’s lunchtime stage, and Offerman applied a warm, intimate voice to the confessional “I Killed a Man” at the UMGN show. 

Programmers were encouraged repeatedly during CRS panels to take risks and “think outside the box.” Much of the industry, it appears, is of a mind to simply make the box larger. The genre’s widening cultural representation and increasing blend of music styles suggest that country and its real-world stories have the potential to fulfill Brooks’ challenge, to become a unifying voice.

Whether that potential is fully realized is a question that can only be answered in that uncertain future.

Subscribe to Billboard Country Update, the industry’s must-have source for news, charts, analysis and features. Sign up for free delivery every weekend. 

20 Mar 2023

Rosalía Gave Her Dancers the Sweetest Pep Talk Ahead of Her Lollapalooza Argentina Set

Just minutes before going stage for her Lollapalooza Argentina set on March 17, Rosalía gave her dancers the ultimate pep talk.

The Spanish star’s microphone inadvertently turned on just minutes before going on stage and her sweet words were heard by attendees. “This is the first show we’re doing and I hope you guys feel very proud of this [and] that you enjoy the show,” she said in English before going on stage to sing her hits “Saoko,” “Bizcochito” and “La Fama.”

“You know that I cannot do this without you. And I feel very happy, very blessed that you’re here. And I really, really, really hope that you enjoy this set tonight on stage. I learn a lot from all each one of you during this process. I want you to know that I admire you and I love you. I’m grateful for your presence. We’re gonna kill this s–t! Okay? Let’s go!”

Lollapalooza Argentina took place Friday-Sunday at the Hipódromo de San Isidro, with Drake and Rosalía headlining the first night; the “Despechá” singer also performed at Lollapalooza Chile over the weekend.

Most recently, Rosalía’s Motomami logo became the first to be featured on both FC Barcelona’s men’s and women’s teams home kits as part of the team’s partnership with Spotify. The limited-edition shirt will also be available for fans to purchase.

On Friday (March 24), Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro will drop a three-song project titled RR. The EP is comprised of three tracks: “Beso,” “Vampiros” and “Promesa.” It marks the first time that the couple has recorded songs together.

20 Mar 2023

7 Must-Hear New Country Songs: Jake Worthington, Bailey Zimmerman, Erin Kinsey & More

Barroom heartbreak country from Jake Worthington, jam band energy from Boy Named Banjo, a hard-charging confessional from Bailey Zimmerman and sophisticated balladry from Erin Kinsey are among the best country songs debuting this week. Check out these and more of our new favorites below.

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Jake Worthington, “State You Left Me In”

Former The Voice contestant Worthington has earned praise (and a publishing deal) from Brooks & Dunn’s Ronnie Dunn — which is aptly placed, given Worthington’s pure Texas drawl. Worthington’s latest song, which he wrote with Roger Springer and Timothy Baker, is hearty heartbreak country. She’s left for Cabo, while he still resides in the (emotionally shattered) state she left him in. While the influence of staunch country traditionalists such as George Jones and Tracy Lawrence are apparent, he manages to bring his own nuances to wringing the anguish out of every note.

Erin Kinsey, “Always Never”

With a strikingly pure tone — lyrically and vocally — Kinsey conveys the story of a couple struggling to sustain a relationship that’s not meant to be. “You blame it on feelings changing, I blame the dreams I’m chasing/ Neither one of us wanted to say it, but boy it’s never not been fading,” she sings over this dream-pop haze of a track, which she wrote with Sarah Buxton and Josh Kerr.

Bailey Zimmerman, “Religiously”

Zimmerman follows a string of solid singles like “Rock and a Hard Place” with this tear-jerker of a track that finds him taking solace in an old church pew, in a last-ditch effort to soothe the hurt of losing “the only woman who was there for me, religiously.” Despite this artist’s relatively tender age, he brings emotional heft and authority to the throes of heartbreak here, especially on self-recriminating lines like, “You were all about us, I was all about myself/ What kind of man would lose a woman like that?”

Haley Mae Campbell and Julia Cole, “20 Something”

South Carolina-raised Campbell and Texas native Cole forged a friendship in Nashville’s writing rooms, and now team up for this festive tribute to youthful years of fun-fueled late nights, gallivanting and making new friends — because, as they put it, “memories ain’t going to make themselves.” The duo brings a spry verve and synergy that belies the wisened perspective of lines such as “Raise one up to all the mistakes made in the name of being young/ ‘Cause growing up’s good for nothing.”

Boy Named Banjo, “Whiskey Dreams”

Amid the breakneck, banjo/mandolin/harmonica-fueled and seriously wrought instrumentation that has become their calling card, this collective of musicians — Barton Davies, William Reames, Willard Logan, Sam McCullough, and Ford Garrard — depicts a scene of whiskey-drowned worries. “One shot will just stop the hurtin’/ Two will put a smile on your face,” they sing, crafting an enticing invitation to take the moments of nadir and drink them blurry.

Warren Zeiders, “Pretty Little Poison”

Zeiders’ raw, papery vocal rips into this grizzled track he wrote with Ryan Beaver and Jared Keim. For others, alcohol, pills or some alternate vice might fill a need, but he takes a clear-eyed stance that he’s easily swayed by a momentary lover and old memories. “She’ll probably be the death of me/ But damn if it ain’t sweet,” he sings. Zeiders came to the country music forefront on the strength of songs like “Ride the Lightning,” and his latest offers an early look into his upcoming summer album.

Madison Hughes, “You or the Whiskey”

This ambient track, which Florida native Hughes wrote with Rich Deans (with production from Justin Weaver), finds Hughes pondering if an encounter with a charismatic, attentive guy at a bar will amount to more than a whiskey-fueled heartbreak in the making. Florida native Hughes’ delightfully husky voice is underpinned by an understated, yet hook-driven melody, offering high hit potential.

20 Mar 2023

Nandi Bushell Screams, Bashes Her Way Through White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’ in Tribute to Meg White

Tween drumming sensation Nandi Bushell weighed in on the Meg White drumming non-troversy over the weekend in the only way she knows how: by bashing her heart out on her drum kit. “#MegWhite is my #Hero. The first day I got drums my dad showed me the video of #sevennationarmy,” wrote the 12-year-old alongside a video of her screaming her heart out and blasting away at a set emblazoned with hearts and the name “Meg” while playing the White Stripes‘ “Seven Nation Army,” one of the most-played sports pump-up songs on the planet.

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The tweet also included archival footage of a tiny Nandi assaulting her baby drum kit as her dad plucks out the song’s iconic riff in the family playroom and she and her younger brother freak out as Nandi kicks over the set. “The first time I played drums I jammed on ‘Seven Nation Army,’” read the on-screen caption. “Thank you for the greatest rock songs ever! We love you Meg!!!!”

The young drummer who has turned the heads of everyone from Dave Grohl to Tom Morello added some more praise in a pair of follow-up tweets, in which she wrote, “The more I learn about music, the more I realise that songs, and art, are created to wake emotions deep inside the soul. No matter how fast my fills get or number rudiments I learn. If I can’t write a song that moves people, then can’t call myself an artist.”

In addition to saying that Jack White and Meg wrote some of the best songs in rock history, Bushell noted that they moved her as a five-year-old “to want to play the drums and still move me today! My screams are for you Meg! you are and always will be my role model and hero!”

Bushell’s post came a week after political journalist Lachlan Markay opined in a since-deleted tweet that “the tragedy of the White Stripes is how great they would’ve been with a half decent drummer… I’m sorry Meg White was terrible and no band is better for having a sh—y drummer.”

That unprovoked broadside against the timekeeper — who has all but vanished from public view since the duo called it quits in 2011 — drew a torrent of support for Meg from, among others, Roots drummer Questlove, Against Me’s Laura Jane Grace, Jack White’s ex-wife singer-model Karen Elson and many others. Markay has since apologized for the comment he said was “petty, obnoxious, just plain wrong.”

Like Bushell, Jack White posted his own mic-drop response — albeit without mentioned Meg directly — in the form of a poem that opened with the lines:

To be born in another time,
any era but our own would’ve been fine.
100 years from now,
1000 years from now,
some other distant, different, time.
one without demons, cowards and vampires out for blood,
one with the positive inspiration to foster what is good.

Check out Bushell’s video below.

20 Mar 2023

Nike Adds Sabrina Ionescu To Their Family, Debuts The “Sabrina 1”

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Nike x Sabrina Ionescu’s First Signature Shoe

Source: Nike / NIke

Nike just did it.

Yesterday, the Swoosh brand announced that the newest member of their athletic family is the New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu. To accompany the news, Nike’s already showcasing her signature sneaker, the “Nike Sabrina 1.” Looking to appease all crowds, the “Nike Sabrina 1” and the apparel collection that will come along with it will be a unisex line. (Expect some MAGA outrage at some point over this.) And the sneakers actually look pretty cool.

Featuring the Nike React cushioning and Zoom Air unit in the forefoot, the sneakers insides were made to compliment the details on the outer silhouette.

Inspired by Ionescu’s national heritage, the intricate embroidery patterns on the Sabrina 1 forefoot and eye-stays pay homage to traditional Romanian art and architecture. The shoe’s design is highlighted by a dotted “i” that wraps around the top and bottom outsole of the shoe. The wraparound detail ends in a dotted “i” on the heel — a detail that pays respect to her last name.

On the medial side of the shoe, a vertically slanted Swoosh represents the barriers that Ionescu has broken throughout her career, and a hidden “Anyone, Anywhere” quote serves as reference to Ionescu’s unmatched competitive spirit as well as her belief that dreamers can come from anywhere.

As for the unisex apparel, you can expect to see some hoodies, tees, shorts and even a cross-body bag for the gym rats who want to roll in style.

The “Nike Sabrina 1” and apparel collection is set to drop later on this summer. Will you be checking for the collection? Let us know in the comments section below.

20 Mar 2023

All the Country Albums That Have Received Grammy Nods for Album of the Year: Will Morgan Wallen Join the List?

The ongoing success of Morgan Wallen’s One Thing at a Time, which is in its second week at No. 1 on both The Billboard 200 and Top Country Albums, increases the possibility that the album could wind up with a Grammy nomination for album of the year.

It would be the first country album to be nominated in that category since Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour, which won the 2018 award.

A recent Billboard report looked at the scarcity of nominations in recent years for country in the Big Four categories (album, record and song of the year, plus best new artist).

Eddy Arnold’s My World (1965) was the first country album to be nominated for album of the year. Glen Campbell’s By the Time I Get to Phoenix (1968) was the first country album to win in that category.

The Chicks have had three album of the year nominations, more than any other country act. Taylor Swift (in her country period) had two. Linda Ronstadt also had two, counting the Trio album, on which she collaborated with Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris. Harris and Alison Krauss also had two, counting the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack, on which they both were featured.  

We define a country album as any album that made Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. That rather low threshold for what constitutes a country album brought in Lionel Richie’s Can’t Slow Down. The album peaked at No. 55 on Top Country Albums in 1984, but a subsequent Richie album spent four weeks at No. 1 on that chart.

Here are all the country albums that have received Grammy nominations for album of the year. They are shown in reverse chronological order.

20 Mar 2023

Warner Chappell Music, Limited Edition Music Launch New Partnership

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) and Limited Edition Music have teamed up for a new publishing partnership, with a mission to sign and develop emerging songwriters in a range of genres.

Emmyn Calleiro, singer and songwriter with Fueled by Ramen / DCD2 Record-signed pop-punk band Games We Play, along with rising country artist Bailey Callahan, are the first signings through the new alliance — Limited Edition Music.

Greg Sowders, WCM’s senior vp of A&R and catalog will continue in his current position while also leading Limited Edition Music, which will sign acts in the alternative, rock, pop and alternative country spaces. Sowders is joined in the leadership role by former WCM A&R executive Marc Wilson.

“Greg has been a key fixture at Warner Chappell for more than three decades and has dedicated his career to building out a star-studded alternative and rock roster,” comments Guy Moot, WCM co-chair and CEO. “This is the perfect opportunity for him to continue to lead those efforts while also working with more emerging writers alongside Marc.”

During his time with the major music publisher, Sowders has signed and worked with such artists and writers as Twenty One Pilots, Greta Van Fleet, Travis Barker, Paramore, Tyler Childers, Billy Corgan, Portugal. The Man, Deftones, All Time Low, Orville Peck and Nickelback, and others.

His career in music began in 1981 on the other side of the table, as the drummer for Los Angeles alternative country pioneers The Long Ryders, with whom he continues to perform.

Wilson, meanwhile, boasts almost 20 years’ experience developing songwriters and artists. During his stint with WCM, he worked with the likes of Lizzo, Steve Aoki, Ian Kirkpatrick, Sean Douglas, Sam DeRosa, Alec Benjamin and others. In 2020, he launched United Songs Entertainment, which exclusively manages songwriters and producers, and currently represents Cate Downey and Zoë Moss.

Adds Ryan Press, WCM president of North America: “Greg is one of the best creatives in the business and serves as a true partner to his songwriters. I’m super proud to be able to support him and Marc, who I’ve also worked with for a long time, and continue to nurture the next generation of hitmakers together.”

The partnership, announced today, closely follows a SXSW discussion on the future of music publishing and the new songwriter economy, entitled “Music Publishing in the New Songwriter Economy.” The session featured Moot and Billboard editorial director Hannah Karp as guest speakers.

20 Mar 2023

Ed Sheeran Docuseries ‘The Sum of It All’ Coming Soon to Disney+

A docuseries chronicling Ed Sheeran‘s journey to stardom, his personal life and the inspiration behind his music, Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All, is set to premiere globally on Disney+ on May 3.

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In Disney’s announcement on Monday (March 20), the four-part docuseries is described as spotlighting “how an unlikely child with a stutter rose to fame to become one of the biggest global music superstars and how his chart-topping hits were born.”

The Disney+ original series will feature exclusive content from Sheeran’s personal archive, interviews with his loved ones and intimate performances. All four episodes of The Sum of It All, produced by Fulwell 73 Productions (Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium, Adele: One Night Only), will be available on release day: “Love,” “Loss,” “Focus” and “Balance.”

“I’ve always been very guarded in my personal and private life; the only documentary I’ve ever made has been one that focused on my songwriting,” Sheeran says in a press release. “Disney approached me to make a four-part documentary, and it felt like the right time to open the door and let people in. I hope people enjoy it.”

“In this docuseries, we’re going to reveal a side of Ed Sheeran that fans have never seen before. Together with Fulwell 73, we’ve created something truly authentic and personal that will not only entertain audiences but also inspire them to dream big and pursue their passions,” Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis says.

Fulwell 73 Productions’ Ben Winston and Ben Turner are executive producers of the series, which is directed by David Soutar.

Sheeran’s new single “Eyes Closed” is expected this Friday (March 24), and his new album – (pronounced Subtract) will be here on May 5 through Atlantic in the U.S., Atlantic/Asylum Records in the U.K. and Atlantic/Warner Music in the rest of world.

See the episode summaries for Ed Sheeran: The Sum of It All, courtesy of Disney, below. Tune in on Disney+ on May 3.

“Love”

Ed Sheeran explains the unwavering work ethic that has driven his global success. With exclusive footage of his teenage years, Ed describes how he planned his unlikely success. When he was ignored by the music industry he started to play in unexpected settings until this determination brought him into contact with media entrepreneur Jamal Edwards in 2010. Together, they used the burgeoning internet to find their audience. “The A Team” breaks America but for Ed something was still missing. Ed shares the story behind his iconic love song, “Perfect” about his old school friend and now wife Cherry which tells of their romantic love story. Ed seems to have everything, until Cherry gets life altering news and Ed quickly realizes that plans can change in an instant and he will have to adapt.

“Loss”

Ed, his parents, and wife Cherry look at old photos of Ed and explain why he decided to return to live in his English hometown. With unseen footage of Ed’s Divide Tour, Ed introduces his tight fortress of trusted friends that keep him anchored. Then, the unthinkable happens. Ed’s best friend, Jamal Edwards suddenly dies. Ed struggles through a memorial for Jamal as he considers Jamal’s legacy. Ed meditates on the meaning of friendship and, using music as therapy, dives deep into work. During Ed’s 5-night run at London’s Wembley Stadium, British artist, Stormzy, joins Ed on stage in an epic performance before a smaller, surprise gig in his hometown. In a rousing homecoming singalong, Ed sings the iconic “Thinking Out Loud” to shocked locals looking on.

“Focus”

Ed shows his songwriting talents in exclusive archival footage showing the inception of one of his biggest hits, “Bad Habits.” Ed explains the origin story of writing “Eyes Closed” in 2018, through to its latest heartfelt version. After a turbulent year, Ed’s able to channel his emotions, and pours himself into completing his 5-album masterplan with Subtract, which has eluded him for over a decade. Mourning the loss of Jamal, Ed continues at pace, filming 14 music videos for his new album and has his childhood dream come true when he performs with Eminem at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame, but Cherry worries he may be using work as a distraction. In an intimate performance, Ed publicly shares songs from Subtract for the first time but is overwhelmed when his emotions get the better of him.

“Balance”

In the final episode, Ed jets off to America to promote his tour. Both Ed and Cherry reflect on how they manage the challenges of balancing family life and work when they are regularly miles apart. Reunited at their home, Cherry explains how much of a shift she has seen in Ed over the last year. Ed meets up with friend and fellow British artist, Stormzy, to share his apprehensions of releasing his most personal thoughts into the world with Subtract. In a tribute to Jamal, Ed writes a beat for his “F64” rap about their friendship for an intimate performance at Chelsea FC’s home ground, Stamford Bridge. After some good news about Cherry’s health, she and Ed reflect on all the hardships and triumphs over the last year and look towards the future having a more cherished outlook on life.

20 Mar 2023

Meta Is Pulling Italian Music From Platform, Drawing Ire of Industry

LONDON — Facebook parent Meta and Italy’s largest collecting society are locked in a dispute over the use of songs on the platform from thousands of songwriters and composers, with music rights groups accusing the tech company of using strong-arm tactics to try to get its way.

Meta has started to remove all licensed works from the Italian Society of Authors and Publishers (SIAE). The company has “been unable to renew” its partnership agreement with SIAE and will therefore “no longer make available SIAE licensed works in Meta’s music library,” a spokesperson for Meta confirms to Billboard. The number of SIAE licensed music works that are affected by Meta’s actions is around 5.7 million works, according to SIAE.

The withdrawal means that any content-containing songs managed by SIAE, except those obtained through sub-licensing, will be blocked on Facebook, including Facebook Reels and Facebook Stories. On Instagram, content using SIAE members’ repertoire will be muted, unless users choose to replace the banned audio with another piece of music, Meta says. 

The move affects repertoire from all European countries and multiple markets outside the European Union, but does not include the United States, an SIAE spokesperson tells Billboard.

Based in Rome, SIAE is the world’s sixth-largest copyright collective management organization, according to the International Confederation of Authors and Composers Societies’ (CISAC), representing the rights of around 5.7 million Italian music works and around 95,000 members. The organization has agreements in place with 178 authors’ societies worldwide and administers public performance and other rights of 62 million Italian and international works, spanning music, cinema, literature and other areas.

Notable music artists it represents include composer Ennio Morricone, singer Zucchero and hard rockers Mäneskin. “It is important to notice,” a rep for SIAE said, “that in the midst of the removal process many other works from the international catalog and from international authors, thus not related in any way with SIAE, have been erroneously removed.”

Meta’s music-licensing agreement with the Italian society expired at the end of December. During negotiations for a new deal, Meta offered a lump-sum value without providing the necessary information for SIAE to evaluate whether it was fair compensation for rights holders, the SIAE spokesperson says.

The Italian organization also claims the tech company refused to share data about how its members’ repertoire was being used and monetized, citing internal policies. “When it comes to complex platforms such as Facebook and Instagram and their many services (posts, stories, reels), if we’re not given any clue about the amount of advertising, video and music that they host, it means we’re negotiating blindly,” Matteo Fedeli, the CEO of SIAE, tells Billboard.

Fedeli says Meta threatened to remove all music works managed by SIAE if the offer was not accepted. “Meta gave a take-it-or-leave-it final offer when our positions were still pretty far from each other,” he says. “That’s imposing, not negotiating.” 

The refusal to share relevant information, says SIAE, places Meta in contravention of the European Copyright Directive approved by the European Union in 2019, which requires platforms that rely on user-generated content — such as YouTube, TikTok or Facebook — to obtain “fair remuneration” license deals with rights holders and provide them with transparent reporting on revenues generated from the use of their work.

Meta responds that it has successfully renewed music licenses with many of its largest partners throughout Europe — including the United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, France and Sweden — based on the same fee model and terms it offered SIAE. 

“Protecting the copyrights of songwriters and artists is a top priority,” a spokesperson for Meta says in a statement. “We continue to have music deals in more than 150 countries and remain committed to reaching an agreement with SIAE that works for everyone.”

Meta’s fallout with SIAE comes after the company announced on March 14 it would trim 10,000 jobs and would not be filling 5,000 open positions as part of cost-saving measures. In November, the company announced 11,000 job cuts, representing about 13% of its overall workforce.

On Friday, music rights and publishing trade bodies slammed Meta for its decision to pull SIAE repertoire from its platforms. 

“Meta has decided to use its position as a corporate mega power to hold artists at gunpoint and undervalue their hard work and creativity,” the Brussels-based Independent Music Publishers International Forum (IMPF) says in a statement. “Fair and honest negotiation is the only way forward. Meta needs to retract.” 

John Phelan, director general of ICMP, an international music publishing trade association, criticizes Meta for “using unsurprising strong-arm tactics of demanding a ‘take it or leave it’ fee and when not happy, removing music to try and devalue the deal.” 

The tech company, Phelan says in a statement, “must obey the law and take a full and fair license for the music it wants to use and profit from. If it does not, it is in breach of Italian and EU law.” 

Fedeli says the music industry “understands that there is a problem with [the] value gap and that the excessive power of [tech] platforms allow them to pursue such unilateral actions.” He is, nevertheless, keen to resume negotiations.  

“We want to reach an agreement in good faith that is satisfying for both parties,” he says. “We know that we’re not aiming for the moon. We’re asking for a perfectly reasonable figure.”

Additional Reporting By Federico Durante Of Billboard Italy