Music Biz Headlines, Jan. 17, 2020
Director X (pictured) discusses the new Drake video, Jay Douglas spreads good vibes, and Anyway Gang plays it loose. Others in the headlines include TrailerHawk, Tiktok, privacy laws, CAPASSO, Amazon, Greg Maffei, Pearl Jam, RPM Records, Primavera Sound, and Bond songs.
By FYI Staff
2019 Gold/Platinum year-end recap
2019 has proven to be another spectacular year for Music Canada’s historic Gold/Platinum program. For the fourth consecutive year, the program has experienced a steady surge in Single Award certifications thanks to Canada’s continued shift towards on-demand audio streaming, which in 2018 accounted for 60% of recorded music revenues in Canada. — Bram Gonshor, Music Canada
Director X talks Drake and Future's new Life Is Good video
Drake cooked up the concept, says the Toronto director, who also makes a cameo as himself. — Radheyan Simonpillai, NOW
'I'm just a messenger for peace and love': Toronto reggae legend Jay Douglas reflects on his life and career
Without Jay Douglas, Canadian music wouldn't be the same. The Toronto reggae legend's part in supporting the Jamaica To Toronto compilation — documenting the great soul, funk and reggae music recorded in this city between 1967 and 1974 — led to a rediscovery of Canadian reggae. He's still going strong.— CBC - q
Canadian rock supergroup Anyway Gang plays Toronto on Friday. Don’t ask them what to expect
If you’re wondering what Friday night’s show at the Horseshoe with Anyway Gang is going to be like, you’re not alone. Chris Murphy is also wondering … and he’s in the band. — Nick Krewen, The Toronto Star
Stewart Legere, Cliff Le Jeune and friends are tangled up in Blue.
A star-studded Halifax tribute night to Joni Mitchell’s landmark album helps beat the bleakest day of the year. — Michael Lake, The Coast
TrailerHawk lands in a sweet, completely satisfying spot by taking a rocking approach to old-school country
If decades in the hellfire that is the music industry have taught the members of TrailerHawk anything, it’s that one’s never disappointed by shooting low on the expectations front. — Mike Usinger, Georgia Straight
International
TikTok and Tencent reach sub-licensing deal to legalize music use in short videos
According to 36Kr, Douyin, which is known outside of China as Tiktok, reached a music sub-licensing deal with Tencent Music at the end of 2019. A source said that the two parties had already started to work together, and Tencent Music’s copyrighted songs will soon be officially relicensed to Tiktok. — Caiwei Chen, Pandaily
Frankie Avalon to Roddy Ricch: The first & last Hot 100 No. 1s of every decade
Other leaders at the turn of each decade: Phil Collins, Michael Bolton, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, Alicia Keys & Kesha. — Gary Trust, Billboard
The music biz is addicted to data — new privacy laws try to make it go to rehab
South African music rights agency partners with tech firm to boost streaming collections
CAPASSO and Muserk deal comes amid uncertainty about an update to South Africa’s copyright law. — Daniel Friedman, Billboard
No Music For ICE will picket Amazon-sponsored events at SXSW 2020
The group is protesting Amazon licensing out its technology to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. — Jordan Darville, Fader
Why the music industry should be watching Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei's 2020 moves
He may be a relative newcomer to the music business — but with significant stakes in a portfolio of its biggest companies, Maffei has become a power that major labels and indies alike can’t ignore. — Steve Knopper, Billboard
Pearl Jam and Ticketmaster unite against ticket resellers
The famous rivals have joined forces against a common enemy, using the live music monolith's platform to keep tickets in the hands of fans. — Michael Rancic, NOW
RPM Records wraps up almost 30 year run; Label’s final release due in May
For nearly three decades, the RPM Records arm of Cherry Red Records has exemplified the finest in archival reissues. The label has just announced that it will be closing its doors after a whopping 612 releases. — Joe Marchese, The Second Disc
Primavera Sound 2020 lineup: Pavement, Strokes, Tyler, Bikini Kill, Bauhaus, more
The European festival takes place from June 3-7 and also features Massive Attack, Lana Del Rey, Young Thug, the National, Kacey Musgraves, Iggy Pop, Beck, and more. — Pitchfork
Bruce Springsteen’s son Sam becomes a New Jersey firefighter
Bruce Springsteen and Patti Scialfa, his wife and longtime bandmate, looked on and clapped as their youngest son joined the newest members of the city’s Fire Department, according to TV news coverage of the ceremony. — Jonny Diaz, The New York Times
Midas touch: how to create the perfect James Bond song
Shirley Bassey set the template – now Billie Eilish will create the theme for No Time to Die. Are these sultry anthems, usually sung by women, actually subverting 007? — Dave Simpson, The Guardian
