Summer Walker, John Legend, Chloe Bailey, Muni Long Light Up Black Music Collective Event, a New Grammy Week Highlight

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThree members of Congress have written to Spotify co-founder and CEO Daniel Ek, criticizing him over the company’s policy of promoting an artist’s music on its Discovery Mode platform in exchange for a reduced royalty rate. Among other notes, the letter requests that Spotify label such as paid content; the company announced the policy, which has come under heavy criticism, in 2020.The letter, written on official Congress stationary and obtained by Variety, is dated March 26, 2022 and signed by Reps.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorClive Davis doesn’t do anything by half, and his 90th birthday is no exception. Not only will there be a star-studded party tonight at Cipriani in Lower Manhattan, there’s a four-part music-and-interview series on Paramount Plus culled from last year’s virtual pre-Grammy galas; a Clive Davis Gallery with personal items from across his career at New York University’s Brooklyn location; an interview on the “Rock & Roll High School With Pete Ganbarg” podcast airing April 14; a talk at the 92 St.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAs predicted, Swedish House Mafia and the Weeknd will replace Kanye West at Coachella on Sunday night.They will perform in the festival-closing Sunday night slot, joining Harry Styles (Friday) and Billie Eilish (Saturday) as Coachella’s 2022 headliners.Although many media outlets reported that the Weeknd would take the slot himself, that was never a realistic proposition: For the past several months he’s been immersed in the HBO series “The Idol” — which he is co-writing, co-directing and stars in — and his own stadium tour doesn’t start until July.Other names thrown into the week’s frenzied prediction mix include Justin Bieber, Travis Scott, Silk Sonic (featuring Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak) and Tyler, the Creator. When the 2022 Coachella lineup was announced back in early January, Swedish House Mafia had rare, almost unprecedented placement in the hierarchy of the festival’s all-important official poster: in a headliner-sized font, but at the bottom of the lineup, and with no specific date listed.A few days later, Variety unspooled several hundred words speculating about what that might mean, one possibility of which was that the festival was hedging its bets in case headliner Kanye West — who’d pulled out of a previous Coachella lineup literally days before it was announced — pulled out again, which is exactly what happened on Monday.It is important to note that not just anyone can pull off a headlining set at North America’s biggest and most popular music festival.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorDowntown Music Services has inked a global music publishing administration agreement with Brooklyn-based artist, composer and producer Daniel Lopatin, the company announced Wednesday.Lopatin, who records and performs as Oneohtrix Point Never, has released multiple albums and tracks over the years including his most recent project, “Magic Oneohtrix Point Never.”He also has collaborated extensively with the Weeknd over the past two years, serving as an executive producer on the recent “Dawn FM” album, and also was musical director of the artist’s 2021 Super Bowl Half Time performance. Earlier this year he completed work on his first full album production for another artist, Soccer Mommy’s upcoming album “Sometimes, Forever.” His production credits over the years also include David Byrne, Moses Sumney, Anohni and Charli XCX as well as collaborations with Iggy Pop, Rosalía, James Blake and Elizabeth Fraser.His original film scores include Josh and Benny Safdie’s “Uncut Gems” and “Good Time,” for which he received the Best Soundtrack Award at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWhen the 2022 Coachella lineup was announced back in early January, Swedish House Mafia had rare, almost unprecedented placement in the hierarchy of the festival’s all-important official poster: in a headliner-sized font, but at the bottom of the lineup, and with no specific date listed.Variety unspooled several hundred words speculating about what that might mean, one possibility of which was that the festival was hedging its bets in case headliner Kanye West — who’d pulled out of a previous Coachella lineup literally days before it was announced — pulled out again, which is exactly what happened on Monday.Yet in the hours after news broke that West would not be performing at the festival, which starts in 10 days, speculation was rife about who — if anyone — might fill his slot. Variety has been blowing up phones for the past 24 hours trying to find out what’s what (as has Hits magazine), and while we don’t have any definitive answers, we’ve got some interesting off-the record perspectives.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn a move that sounds like a “Who’s on first?” routine, Shira Knishkowy is joining Another Management Company, leaving Spotify after three years to join the company that oversees the careers of such artists as Kurt Vile, Waxahatchee, Stephen Malkmus, Mary Timony, Snail Mail, Mdou Moctar and Horsegirl, as well as High on Fire, Protomartyr, Sheer Mag and others. Knishkowy’s artist-centric role at Spotify and previous multi-year roles at Matador Records, Partisan Records and Big Hassle Media make her a solid fit for her new role as artist manager and director of digital and creative strategy.Another co-founder Rennie Jaffe says, “I have ultimate confidence that Shira will take the relationships, skill-sets and most importantly the instincts she’s developed over the past 10+ years as a leading music publicist to quickly emerge as a world class artist manager.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSaveLive, the platform launched in 2020 by former WME music execs Marc Geiger and John Fogelman to “bail out” concert venues that were struggling during the pandemic, has announced its first round of partners, some 20 mid-size venues across the country, many in the South.The company has also completed its first round of financing, raising $135 million dollars to invest into the independent live music community. Investors include Breyer Capital, Deep Field Asset Management, Raptor Group, and Shamrock Capital.At the time of the company’s launch in October of 2020, Geiger, who was a cofounder of the Lollapalooza festival, said the plan was to invest in small clubs and build an indie touring network by acquiring a 51% ownership stake in the venues in question.

Vicente Fernández passed away four months ago, and his life and music were honored last night at the 64th annual Grammys. The “King of Ranchera,” posthumously won his fourth Grammy, and was included in a tribute to other musical artists who died in the past year. However, Fernández’s fans were not too happy about the presentation of his award: read the details below.Fernández passed away on December 12, 2021, at the age of 81, in Guadalajara, Mexico.

MC Lyte and John Legend were honored at the Recording Academy’s Black Music Collective ceremony, held at the Conrad Hotel in Las Vegas.Lyte was presented an award by the up-and-coming Saweetie, for her role as a pioneer in hip-hop and a disrupter in the music industry. She gained widespread acclaim in the late 80s with her album Lyte as a Rock, making her the first female rapper to release a solo project.Upon receiving her award, Lyte spoke about the importance of the women in her still-growing music genre, as well as the inequities that many creatives of color have faced – and still do today – while pursuing their dream.“There’s no conversation about the past, present, and future of hip-hop without women,” Lyte said.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorKanye West has pulled out of his scheduled appearance at the Coachella festival, a source confirms to Variety. Reps for West and the festival did not immediately respond to requests for comment; the news was first reported by TMZ.The reason for his cancelation was not immediately clear, although a source tells Variety that he had not rehearsed or prepared for the appearance.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorFilm footage of an 11-year-old Prince has been discovered in the archives of Minneapolis television station WCCO.The brief clip, filmed during a teacher’s strike in April of that year, captures the future music icon speaking in support of the teachers, and jumping around with his characteristic impish grin on his face.“I think they should get a better education too cause, um, and I think they should get some more money ‘cause they’re working extra hours for us and all that stuff,” he says.WCCO restored the film to as part of a story about an educators strike in the same district last month. Matt Liddy, the station’s production, was reviewing the footage when one boy in particular caught his eye.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky made a surprise appearance at the Grammys as the annual music awards returned. The war-torn country's leader appeared in a video, filmed in his bunker, on Sunday night (April 3).

Ukraine’s president has urged Grammy musicians to “tell our story” as he made a suprise appearance via videolink at the Las Vegas awards ceremony. Volodymyr Zelensky, making a special appearance to introduce John Legend, told the star-studded audience: “War. What’s more opposite to music? “The silence of ruined cities and killed people.

Joni Mitchell has delivered her first public performance in nine years, taking to the stage at MusiCares’ 2022 Person of the Year benefit gala.Mitchell was bestowed with this year’s titular honour on Friday night (April 1), following in the footsteps of previous recipients Aerosmith (who were celebrated with the title in 2020) and Dolly Parton (in 2019).Mitchell was not announced to be performing at the event, but joined the likes of Beck, Brandi Carlile, Cyndi Lauper, Stephen Stills, Jon Batiste and more to sing her 1970 classics ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ and ‘The Circle Game’.It marked her first time singing in public since June 2013, when she performed two short, impromptu sets at events being held in her honour, where she was initially booked to recite poetry. Prior to those, her last performance took place in 2002, with Mitchell having retired from touring altogether in 2000.Watch Mitchell singing ‘Big Yellow Taxi’ at the MusiCares gala below:At other points during the event, which took place at the Marquee Ballroom in Las Vegas, Mitchell was honoured with a sprawling roster of tributes.Among them were a cover of ‘The Jungle Line’ (from Mitchell’s 1975 album ‘The Hissing Of Summer Lawns’) performed by Beck, St.

The stars were out in force inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas as they celebrated the 2022 Grammy Awards on Sunday.Although it wasn't exactly a family event, Chrissy Teigen turned it into one when she and her husband John Legend brought along their adorable children Luna, five, and Miles, three.It was also a night of rubbing elbows, as stars like Justin and Hailey Bieber caught up with Billie Eilish and her brother Finneas, while Lady Gaga chatted with country star Keith Urban. Star power: Chrissy Teigen brought her kids Luna, five, and Miles, three along to the Grammys on Sunday in Las Vegas, while stars like Justin and Hailey Bieber caught up with their fellow musiciansChrissy was looking glamorous at her table after changing out of her opulent pink gown.She opted instead for a slimmer sparkling gold off-the-shoulder dress that glowed in the darkened room.The model added some extra color with her puffy pink feathered sleeves and her dangling pink jeweled earrings, along with her gold open-toe heels.

Chloe Bailey shimmered on the Grammys red carpet in Las Vegas.The R&B singer wore an eye-popping silver crystal-embellished Valentino gown, which she described as a 'disco ball.'The figure hugging frock showed off the diva's every curve beginning with a plunging square neckline and ending with a thigh high slit that revealed her toned legs. Wow moment:Chloe Bailey shimmered on the Grammys red carpet in Las Vegas.

The Recording Academy paid tribute to Ukraine Sunday night at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. First, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rousing pre-taped speech in English, asking for support for his nation as it struggles to fight off Russian attacks.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSZA revealed that her long-awaited sophomore major-label album, some six years in the making, is finally finished and on the way.“I just finished it up in Hawaii,” she said in answer to Variety’s question. “And it’s coming soon!” Asked for details, she said , “I think it’s my most unisex album.” Met with a slightly confused response, she continued, “I think it’s for everyone.”She also explained why she’s on crutches, which led to a rather comical moment in which she walked up the stairs to accept her first Grammy Award — on crutches with a long gown, which led to Lady Gaga holding her train for her.“I fell out of bad before I came here,” to Las Vegas for the show, she quickly clarified.

Chrissy Teigen and John Legend are making the 2022 Grammys a family night out!

Grammys Award show is quickly approaching and is scheduled to air live on 3 April. In order to join in on the biggest night in music, and to watch all of its star-studded performances, tune in at 8pm EDT (1am BST) on CBS. UK broadcast details are TBC.

Chrissy Teigen was the belle of the ball as she arrived with husband John Legend to the 64th Annual Grammy Awards atthe MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday.The Cravings founder, 35, strolled onto the red carpet in a bubblegum pink ballgown with a strapless design and dramatic ruffles.Keeping her gown the focus, Chrissy wore her honey toned tresses in a glamorous updo and fastened a pair of glitzy chandelier earrings to her ears. Princess vibes:Chrissy Teigen was the belle of the ball as she arrived to the 64th Annual Grammy Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday The mother-of-two's bold dress cinched at the waist and flared out around her petite frame as she posed for shutterbugs.Letting her natural beauty shine, Chrissy rocked a face of radiant, neutral toned makeup consisting of a glossy nude lip and a soft smokey eyeshadow look.