Steven Victor, who was named Def Jam’s executive VP of A&R in October of 2017, has left the company to shift to a senior VP of A&R role at Universal Music Group, Def Jam’s parent company, that will see him focusing on his joint venture with UMG, Victor Victor Worldwide. That company, which has eight
Music
No one has ever accused Nicki Minaj of having much of a filter — not in person, and certainly not in new music such as her recent “Megatron” single. The rapper showed off her biting side on Monday night when she returned to her Beats 1 “Queen Radio” show with special guest Joe Budden and
Jay-Z and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell gathered with reporters for a press conference at Roc Nation’s offices on Wednesday to discuss their new partnership, which was revealed yesterday after news leaked. During the conference they revealed that they both have had conversations with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Coiin Kaepernick but declined to reveal any
August 14, 2019 8:09AM PT Former Sleater-Kinney drummer Janet Weiss has cancelled a tour with her bands Quasi and Slang after a “scary” car accident last weekend that left her with a broken leg and collar bone. Her recovery is expected to take two weeks. “Hey friends I have some bad news,” she wrote. “I
A$AP Rocky has been convicted of assault in Sweden and given a suspended sentence. He was not present in the Stockholm courtroom when the verdict was handed down. Two members of the rapper’s entourage, Bladimir Corniel and David Rispers, were also found guilty of assault by the court. A$AP Rocky will not have to serve
Universal’s “Last Christmas,” a seasonal romantic comedy underpinned by several of George Michael’s hits, will feature a previously unreleased song from the late singer in full at the end of the film, director Paul Feig said Wednesday. The movie, which will be released in November and dropped its first trailer Wednesday, stars Emilia Clarke, Emma
Need a few tips on how to navigate the modern music ecosystem? One option is a conversation with Sam Nelson Harris. As the frontman for alternative band X Ambassadors, Harris has seen three of his band’s songs hit the top 20 on the pop charts through high-profile placements in commercials (“Renegades,” which scored the 2015
In an interview published hours after news broke of his surprise music-and-social-justice deal with the NFL, Jay-Z said one of his goals in the deal is to create a platform where statements of protest from players like former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has essentially been drummed out of the N.F.L. for kneeling
In response to the sexual harassment allegations leveled by nine women against opera singer Placido Domingo, the Los Angeles Opera, where the singer has been General Director since 2003, offered a written statement sent by its Director of Communications. “We believe all employees and artists should be treated respectfully and feel safe and secure within their
The N.F.L., which has been lambasted with criticism over its treatment of Colin Kaepernick and other players kneeling during the national anthem, today made a major stride toward image rehabilitation when news broke that the organization has signed a deal with Jay-Z that will encompass entertainment and social justice efforts. According to the New York
Just hours after reports emerged that legendary opera singer Placido Domingo had pressured at least nine women for sexual favors by dangling prospects of work as reward, the Philadelphia Orchestra withdrew its invitation for the vocalist to appear with music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin in the season’s gala opening concert September 18. The gala’s date will
August 13, 2019 10:34AM PT The 2019 VMAs performer lineup is coming together with Camila Cabello, Shawn Mendes, Lil Nas X and J Balvin joining Taylor Swift, Lizzo, Bad Bunny and Rosalia, MTV announced today. Many of the performers also stand a chance to take home a Moonman at the show this year. Fresh off
The Americana Music Association has set Elvis Costello, Maria Muldaur, Delbert McClinton and the songwriting team of Felice and Boudleaux Bryant for its lifetime achievement honors at the org’s annual awards show Sept. 11 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Additionally, Mavis Staples, who won a lifetime achievement award in 2007 but was unable to
August 13, 2019 8:35AM PT Brooklyn-based indie band Big Thief announced today that “Two Hands,” their fourth album — and their second of 2019 — is slated for release on Oct. 11 on 4AD Records. The album is preceded by the song “Not,” which you can stream below. The announcement comes as a surprise, as
Aerosmith may be spending some extended time in Vegas these days, but don’t tell the band they’re playing it safe. Halfway through their new Vegas residency, “Aerosmith: Deuces Are Wild” (based on their 1994 single of the same name) the rockers say it’s been one of the most thrilling endeavors in their storied career thus
August 13, 2019 7:33AM PT Khalid announced last week that he is planning a benefit concert for victims of the recent mass shooting in his hometown of El Paso, and today he provided details: The show, which will feature the Grammy-nominated singer and special guests, will take place Sept. 1 at the Don Haskins Center
Nearly a year after the passage of the Music Modernization Act, the Recording Academy will unite music creators and members of Congress in their hometowns in an effort to continue the momentum for music creator protections as a part of the Academy’s 6th annual District Advocate Day. Taking place on Oct. 2, 2019, members of
Placido Domingo, widely regarded as one of the greatest opera singers of all time, has been accused of sexual harassment by nine women. The women — eight singers and a dancer — claim that over decades, the Spanish-born singer, now 78, “tried to pressure women into sexual relationships by dangling jobs and then sometimes punishing
The site of the original Woodstock festival, which is now Bethel Woods Center for the Arts, was deemed too small for the ill-fated 50th anniversary festival, which went down in flames last month after many weeks of confusion and many millions of dollars spent. But now, with original Woodstock veterans Santana and John Fogerty as
New York-listed Tencent Music Entertainment (TME) share prices have dropped following the Monday release of the company’s unaudited second-quarter financial report — despite a 31% year-on-year growth in revenue. China’s TME is owned by the broader, Hong Kong-listed Chinese conglomerate Tencent Holdings. The music company is currently in negotiations with French media giant Vivendi for
August 12, 2019 7:43PM PT Actor-model Josh Kloss, who starred in Katy Perry’s “Teenage Dream” music video in 2010, has accused the singer of exposing him at a roller skating rink. Writing on Instagram, Kloss described his interaction with Perry: “It was Johny Wujek’s birthday party at moonlight roller way. And when I saw her,
It’s already August, but according to Megan Thee Stallion, “hot girl summer” — the social media-fueled movement that’s been hashtagged so much, even fast food chains have jumped in — is far from over. “We’ve extended the summer, honestly. We’re gonna drive it until October. Don’t even trip,” the rapper and self-designated “hot girl coach”
Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta announced today that Clay Hunnicutt has been named General Manager of the Big Machine Records imprint. He succeeds Jim Weatherson, who will remain with the company during the transition and then act as consultant and “synergy agent.” According to the announcement, Hunnicutt will oversee the imprint’s roster of artists including Reba McEntire,
August 12, 2019 1:00PM PT The eighth annual Camp Flog Gnaw Carnival is set for Dodger Stadium on Nov. 9 and 10. The year’s lineup includes festival founder Tyler the Creator, Solange, YG, FKA twigs, Juice WRLD, and BROCKHAMPTON along with one unannounced headliner. Also on the bill are newcomers Clairo, DaBaby, Omar Apollo, Dominic
Drag City Records, the label that released most of singer, songwriter and poet David Berman’s recordings as a leader of the Silver Jews and Purple Mountains, has posted a long, moving eulogy to the artist, who committed suicide at his home in Brooklyn, N.Y. on Wednesday. He was 52. Berman was due to start a
On Saturday afternoon in West Hollywood, LGBTQ artists, songwriters and assorted industry execs gathered for the second annual Out to Brunch networking event at Cecconi’s, and this crowd was more representative of the rainbow flag than 2018’s inaugural get-together. “Someone wrote: ‘This looks like an underground Trump dinner, except everyone’s gay,’ ” recalled Lucas Keller,
There was something familiar in the air this year at San Francisco’s Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival. The event has taken place at the city’s idyllic Golden Gate Park each of the last 12 Augusts — but this year’s festivities marked a notable first: Following in the footsteps of Mendocino’s Northern Nights festival in
Rapper, producer and songwriter Missy Elliott will receive MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award on Aug. 26 at the 2019 VMAs, Variety has learned exclusively, where she will perform live at the awards show for the first time in 16 years. “Missy’s impact on the music landscape is indelible,” said Bruce Gillmer, MTV International co-brand
Taylor Swift capped off her Teen Choice Icon Award acceptance speech by saying the fourth single from her forthcoming album — the title track, “Lover” — will drop on Friday, a week ahead of the full-length’s release date of August 23. On Monday morning SiriusXM announced that on release day, Swift will “exclusively perform stripped down versions
August 12, 2019 6:35AM PT In the wake of the recent mass shootings in Dayton, El Paso and Gilroy, Lady Gaga announced Friday that she will “fully fund” classroom projects in the cities, posting on Facebook that she will work with her Born This Way Foundation and in partnership with DonorsChoose.org for the projects. “My heart goes out