Music Industry Moves: FKA Twigs Partners With Atlantic Records

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentFor five years, Janet Jackson has been filming a documentary, preparing to share her accounts of the most intimate — and the most widely reported-on — moments of her life.In “Janet,” which aired its first part on Friday and continues on Saturday on Lifetime and A&E, the groundbreaking and private singer digs into everything from her childhood as the youngest in the Jackson family to long-held rumors that she had a secret baby in the 80’s to her relationship with her brother, the late Michael Jackson.“I wanted my own identity, but at that time, my father was in change of my life and my career and he was my manager. So, there were things I wanted to do and just a direction that I wanted to go in,” Jackson said in the documentary, discussing her decision to part ways with her father, Joe Jackson, who managed the early days of her career.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe late rapper XXXTentacion left behind a complicated legacy after he was murdered during a robbery in June of 2018 — dozens of platinum or gold-certified and influential songs amid charges of domestic abuse and violence. A pioneer in the SoundCloud emo-rap genre, nearly four years after his death, the Florida rapper’s earliest songs on the platform are finally seeing official release via Columbia beginning today (Jan.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMoon Projects, former TikTok music chief Mary Rahmani’s joint venture with Republic Records, has unveiled its first signing: Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter Em Beihold, whose song “Groundhog Day” became a viral smash last year.Today she’s released the single and video “Numb Little Bug,” which she first teased on TikTok a few months back.“I try to write happy sing along pop about sad topics,” Beihold, 23, says. “I go for the lyrics or chords you wouldn’t necessarily expect.”She adds about the song, “Last year, all of my dreams were coming true. Everything I wanted was happening, but somehow I didn’t feel anything.

Jem Aswad Senior Music Editor300 Entertainment — the label home of Megan Thee Stallion and Young Thug, which was acquired by Warner Music earlier this month for $400 million —has launched a content and film division, 300 Studios. Its debut project, “RACE: Bubba Wallace,” is a docuseries that will be released on Netflix next month.300 Studios is headed by Kevin Liles, who is chairman/ CEO of both 300 Entertainment and Elektra Music Group, with former Viacom executives Kelly Griffin as head of creative strategy and Nolan Baynes as GM. According to the announcement, the studio “is primed to develop multi-format, feature, and episodic content through a cultural point of view.”According to the announcement, 300 Studios has over 20 projects in production, including film, music-lifestyle series, episodic content, and podcast initiatives.

Randy Jackson is a music icon. Now 60, Randy rose to fame as a member of the famed Jackson 5 (later just The Jacksons) alongside brothers Jackie, Tito, Jermaine, Marlon, and the late Michael Jackson. He is also an older brother to legendary sister Janet Jackson, 55, who is the subject of a highly anticipated documentary series set to air on Lifetime and A&E. Learn more about Randy ahead of the premiere here.

Like most people you probably have a favourite song and a favourite artist or band.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAriana Grande, Silk Sonic, Doja Cat featuring SZA, Dua Lipa, Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber featuring Daniel Caesar and Giveon, Lil Nas X, Olivia Rodrigo and the Kid Laroi are among the top nominees for the 2022 “iHeartRadio Music Awards,” airing live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, Tuesday, March 22, on Fox and on iHeartMedia radio stations.Now in its ninth year, the iHeartRadio Music Awards will celebrate the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2021, while also offering a preview of the upcoming hits of 2022, according to the announcement.“The 2022 iHeartRadio Music Awards will once again celebrate the great artists and songs we’ve featured on iHeartRadio stations throughout the past year,” said Tom Poleman, President and Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. “We can’t wait to celebrate the year in music with iconic performances and never-before-seen collaborations.” Artists receiving multiple nominations include Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Doja Cat, Giveon, Lil Nas X, Silk Sonic, The Kid LAROI, SZA, Drake, Ed Sheeran, Megan Thee Stallion, Måneskin, Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Billie Eilish, BTS, David Guetta, Tate McRae, Ariana Grande, Daniel Caesar, The Weeknd, Five Finger Death Punch, Cardi B, Joel Corry, AJR, Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, The Pretty Reckless, All Time Low, twenty one pilots, Mammoth WVH, blackbear, Machine Gun Kelly, Imagine Dragons, Moneybagg Yo, H.E.R., Foo Fighters, Jazmine Sullivan, Banda Sinaloense MS De Sergio Lizárraga, Pop Smoke, Coi Leray, Bad Bunny, Regard, Rauw Alejandro, Farruko, KAROL G, Calibre 50, Dua Lipa and La Arrolladora Banda El Limón De René Camacho.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWasting no time in the wake of Neil Young’s decision to remove his music from Spotify to protest the anti-vaccine views expressed on Joe Rogan’s podcast on the service, SiriusXM has relaunched Neil Young Radio, a satellite and streaming music channel featuring music and exclusive stories from Neil Young.Following its launch in December as a limited-run channel, Neil Young Radio now returns to its limited engagement slot on SiriusXM’s Deep Tracks, channel 27, for 7 days starting today, and for a month streaming on the SXM App.SiriusXM hosts multiple conservative radio shows that espouse views similar to or more outspoken than Rogan’s — particularly on SiriusXM Patriot channel, which features Sean Hannity, Breitbart News, Andrew Wilkow and others — however, satellite radio is covered by different broadcast licenses than streaming services and a rights-holder would not be able to prevent its music from being broadcast. Streaming services host content at the discretion of the rights holder; since Warner Music holds the rights to Young’s music, he had to request the company remove his catalog from Spotify.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSpotify will remove Neil Young’s music from its platform, per his request, following his objections to Joe Rogan’s statements about the Covid-19 vaccine on his Spotify-hosted show. The music is expected to be removed later Wednesday.A rep for Spotify said in a statement to Variety: “We want all the world’s music and audio content to be available to Spotify users.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe full list appears below, but highlights include Cassandra Jenkins (New York), Coogie (South Korea), Ian Sweet (Los Angeles), Kosha Dillz (New York), La Doña (San Francisco), Moonchild Sanelly (South Africa), Pom Pom Squad (New York), Sloppy Jane (Los Angeles), Wet Leg (England), Wolf Eyes (Detroit) and dozens more.According to the announcement, SXSW continues to plan for a hybrid event (in-person with online viewing and participation options). The festival has updated its Covid-19 guidelines and will continue to coordinate with both the City of Austin and Austin Public Health — more details on SXSW’s Covid protocols are available on the SXSW website.All SXSW Music registrants receive primary access to Music and Convergence Conference programming, including Keynotes and Featured Speakers, Music Festival showcases, the Comedy Festival, exhibitions, networking Meet Ups, the Flatstock Poster Show, Registrant Lounge, the SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake concerts, and the closing BBQ & softball tournament.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorRihanna is putting $15 million behind her belief that climate change is a social justice issue by making that sizable donation to the movement through her Clara Lionel Foundation.On Tuesday the singer announced that the money will be distributed between 18 climate justice organizations working in seven Caribbean nations and the United States, including the Climate Justice Alliance, the Indigenous Environmental Network, and the Movement for Black Lives, according to the Associated Press.“Climate disasters, which are growing in frequency and intensity, do not impact all communities equally, with communities of color and island nations facing the brunt of climate change,” Rihanna said in a statement. The grants, which were made in partnership with Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey’s #StartSmall fund, are focused on groups with female, LGBTQ and Black and indigenous leaders because their communities are at the greatest risk.“Funders must build partnerships with grassroots organizations, acknowledging their deep understanding of what is necessary to achieve climate justice in their own communities,” said Justine Lucas, Clara Lionel Foundation’s executive director.During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Rihanna and Dorsey together donated $15 million to mental-health services as well as $2.1 million each to aid victims of domestic violence in Los Angeles.Earlier this week, Rihanna’s  Savage X Fenty lingerie line announced a new funding round of $125 million led by Neuberger Berman.Rihanna was officially named a billionaire last year when Forbes estimated her net worth at $1.7 billion.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorLuis Fonsi, co-writer and singer of the massive global hit “Despacito” and many others, has sold his entire publishing catalog to HarbourView Equity Partners, the global alternative asset management company founded by Sherrese Clarke Soares.Terms of the deal, which an announcement says was negotiated and closed in two weeks, were not disclosed. Billboard reports that the deal includes both the songwriter and publisher share on all songs Fonsi wrote or co-wrote; Sony Music Publishing will continue to administer his catalog.“We are extremely excited to acquire the chart-topping, multi-platinum selling catalog of world renowned artist Luis Fonsi,” said Clarke Soares.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJ. Cole, Halsey and Kid Cudi will headline the 2022 Governors Ball Music Festival, set to take place Friday, June 10 through Sunday, June 12 at the Citi Field complex in Queens, New York, Founders Entertainment has announced.More than 60 artists are slated to perform, also including Flume, Playboi Carti, Roddy Ricch, Glass Animals, Migos, Jack Harlow, Kaytranada, Joji, Louis the Child, Clairo, Jazmine Sullivan, Still Woozy, 100 Gecs, Japanese Breakfast, Becky G, Black Pumas and more.A special presale for 3-day and 1-day GA and VIP tickets will be available exclusively for Citi Cardmembers from today (Jan.

A musical story that has involved some of the most famous names in showbiz and focuses on one of Scotland's most iconic figures, is now set to come full circle, as one of Scotland's most talented stage writers brings it home this year.

JANET Jackson has told for the first time how her superstar brother Michael fat-shamed her as a youngster, leaving her with painful body image issues. The Rhythm Nation singer says: “There were times when Mike used to tease me and call me names . . . ‘Pig, horse, slut, or hog, cow’.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSony Music Entertainment today announced it has fully acquired Bob Dylan’s entire back catalog of recorded music, as well as the rights to multiple future new releases, in a major expansion of SME’s six-decade relationship with the artist.Sources tell Variety that the deal was worth between $150 million and $200 million, although the number was not confirmed; reps for Sony and Dylan declined comment.This landmark agreement, concluded in July 2021, comprises the entirety of Bob Dylan’s recorded body of work since 1962, beginning with the artist’s self-titled debut album and continuing through 2020’s highly acclaimed and successful “Rough and Rowdy Ways.”Bob Dylan and SME will continue to collaborate on a range of future catalog reissues in the artist’s renowned and top-selling Bootleg Series, which began in 1991 and includes 14 releases through last year’s lauded “Springtime In New York: The Bootleg Series Vol. 16 (1980-1985).” The agreement also provides the opportunity for SME to partner with Dylan on additional projects.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorBig Sean, H.E.R., Moneybagg Yo, Ari Lennox and others will perform at the the second annual “iHeartRadio Living Black! Empowered by AT&T,” a month-long on-air celebration. The event will also feature special appearances from Lizzo, J.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorCyndi Lauper’s music video for “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” officially crossed 1 billion views on YouTube — marking the music icon’s first entry onto the video platform’s billion-views club.Lauper’s recording of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” was released in 1983 on her historic debut album, “She’s So Unusual,” becoming a breakthrough hit and feminist anthem. The accompanying music video, which culminates in Lauper dancing back to her parents’ New York City apartment accompanied by a parade of revelers, was first uploaded to YouTube in October 2009.“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is the fourth song from the 1980s to surpass 1 billion views on YouTube, alongside Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” A-ha’s “Take on Me” and Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.” Lauper, commenting on her hit song and video, said that many people don’t realize that “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is really a political song.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorBob Dylan, whose “Never-Ending Tour” sprung back to life late last year, has unveiled a string of North American dates for March and April.The dates, which launched last fall in support of his most recent studio album “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” is slated to last through 2024 (by which point the legendary bard will be 83). This run begins in Phoenix on March 3 and ends six weeks later in Oklahoma City.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJohn Lennon’s coat from the “Magical Mystery Tour” film, his cape from “Help!,” three guitars, and Paul McCartney’s handwritten arrangement notes for “Hey Jude” — all from John’s son Julian’s private collection — are going up for NFT auction on Feb. 7, the first in a series to be rolled out over the coming months.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorTerry Tolkin — a veteran A&R executive for Elektra Records, Touch and Go Records and his own No. 6 label, who signed or worked closely with such acts as Luna, Afghan Whigs, Stereolab, Scrawl and Nada Surf — has died, a rep for his family confirmed to Variety.