Stormzy at the V Festival in Chelmsford, England, in August. Credit Samir Hussein/Redferns, via Getty Images In England, few musicians have a higher profile than the grime star Stormzy: Adele recently acknowledged him from the stage during a performance; he vocally supported the Labour politician Jeremy Corbyn; and it was national news when a neighbor…
From Robbing to a Record Deal: The Tee Grizzley Story
Ever since Prohibition, Detroit has been overrun with violence. In the 1920s, the Purple Gang held such a bloody reign over the bootleg circuit, even Al Capone chose to make peace instead of trying to expand into their territory from Chicago. In 1943, after 20,000 White workers walked off the job at a plant manufacturing parts for bombers and…
Spotify’s Troy Carter Concedes Artists Aren’t Being Paid Enough By Streaming Services
Troy Carter, Spotify’s global head of creator services, conceded in his keynote interview today’ at the Music Biz Convention, that artists aren’t being paid enough by streaming services. In a follow-up comment, however, he successfully evaded assigning blame to Spotify or any other streaming service or labels by saying, “We need to reconfigure the value…
How Logic’s Digital Pop-Up Store Helped Set a Universal Music Group Sales Record
It’s no surprise that Def Jam rapper Logiccaters directly to his fans. In the two weeks leading up to his second studio album The Incredible True Story, released in November 2015, the Gaithersburg, Md., native shelled out well over $100,000 of his own money to rent a tour bus, driver and documentary team to chronicle a trek…
Interview: Zaytoven Talks Working With Jay Z, Piano Nights With Gucci Mane, and His Debut Album
NPR’s “Tiny Desk Concert” series has given us plenty of moments to revel in. T-Pain singing live without Auto-Tune. This transcendent performance by Noname. And Gucci Mane rapping his trap house anthems with Zaytoven backing him up with a piano. The stripped down performance is a hot trend in hip-hop. We’ve seen Migos create orchestral versions of their biggest hits,…
Mario Maglieri, Sunset Strip Impresario of Whisky a Go Go and Rainbow Bar Fame, Dies at 93
The Los Angeles music community is mourning the death of Rainbow Bar and Grill owner Mario Maglieri, who died May 4 at 93 years old. The Sunset Strip nightlife impresario also co-founded the Whisky a Go Go, which changed its marquee on Thursday night to a tribute: “Rest in Peace Mario Maglieri King of the Sunset Strip 1924 –…
Watch Lil Uzi Vert’s Jump Into the Crowd at 2017 Rolling Loud Festival
All My Friends Are Dead ⚰️Push Me To The Edge @liluzivert @arsenic #liluzivert #rollingloud #xotourlife A post shared by 1633 (@sixteenthirtythree) on May 7, 2017 at 6:56pm PDT Lil Uzi Vert pulled a wild stunt while performing at the 2017 Rolling Loud Festival Sunday night (May 7). The Philly rapper was doing his hit song…
L.A. Reid Out at Epic Records
L.A. Reid is out as chairman/CEO of Epic Records after nearly six years at the helm of the Sony-owned label, Billboardhas confirmed. The move comes just weeks after former Columbia Records chief Rob Stringer assumed his new role as CEO of Sony Music Entertainment in April. Reid has overseen a successful run in recent years at Epic, with back-to-back…
Jay Z Signs 10-Year $200 Million Deal With Live Nation
Jay Z might be keeping his fans on their toes when it comes to his musical releases, but while they’re awaiting a new album, the veteran rapper has signed another epic contract. The Magna Carta Holy Grail MC has teamed up with Live Nation to announce their new touring partnership, a 10-year deal reportedly worth a whopping…
My Favorite Room: Alex Da Kid moves into the living room when it’s time to get creative
Producer Alex Da Kid’s songs for Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Dr. Dre have lit up nightclubs around the world. But to create the thumping chart-toppers, the British hit maker turns to the tranquillity of his Hollywood Hills living room. The 1,000-square-foot space has “a good energy,” said the 34-year-old, whose real name is Alexander Grant. “A lot of…
