Music Biz Headlines: Chappell Roan's Call To Action for the Music Industry, Kendrick Lamar Sets a Super Bowl Record
Also in the news this week: Drake's onstage references to Kendrick after the Super Bowl, Grammys ratings fall, Black Canadians who shaped jazz.
Headlines this week have definitely been dominated by Kendrick Lamar's polarizing Super Bowl show. Chappell Roan's Grammy speech also arouses controversy, heavy metal pioneers Black Sabbath reunite, a Prince documentary stalls and a salute to Canadian black music luminaries.
Canadian Music Headlines
Drake Makes Subtle ‘Knife Talk’ Lyric Change Following Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Performance
It looks like the 6 God heard about Lamar's halftime show from down in Australia. – Billboard
Jonas Brothers Blow Fans’ Minds With Surprise Pop-In At ‘Camp Rock’ Trivia Night in Toronto: Watch
The siblings were looking for a break after a hard day of filming on their upcoming Christmas movie. – Billboard
Black Canadians Who Shaped the World of Jazz
In honour of Black History Month in February, we take a look at 20th century Black musicians, vocalists and entertainers who have left their mark in the world of jazz. Immerse yourself in the music of Oliver Jones, Eleanor Collins, Charlie Biddle and more. – JazzFM
In 2015, Theo Tams was working as a butcher in Toronto when someone recognized him. Tams wasn’t in the witness protection program or anything, but being identified on that day was not a particularly comfortable experience for the former Idol star. – Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald
Speaking at an Ottawa conference for the film and TV industry, Marie-Philippe Bouchard, the new president and chief executive officer, said she fears the breakdown of Canada’s media ecosystem in the face of competition from foreign streaming platforms. – Marie Woolf, Canadian Press
Saskatoon City Council Approves $500K for Bid to Host National Music Awards Event
Specific details of the event can't yet be publicly reported due to confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. – Brody Langager, Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
Iron & Wine, Waxahatchee, The Sheepdogs Headline 65th Edition of Mariposa Folk Festival in 2025
Canada's longest-running folk/roots summer festival has just announced the full lineup of performers for this year's edition, running July 4-6 in Orillia, Ontario. – Kerry Doole, Billboard Canada
Kaytranada, Tiësto, Zedd Will Get The Party Going At FVDED Music Festival 2025
The B.C. dance festival returns this summer after a sold-out edition last year. Mavis Staples and Alabama Shakes also share upcoming Canadian dates, and the Canada Black Music Archives announces Black History Month programming. – Rosie Long Decter, Billboard Canada
International Music Headlines
Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl Halftime Show Is Now the Most-Watched of All Time
Kendrick Lamar's Super Bowl LIX Halftime Show had 133.5 million viewers, drawing a larger audience than the Super Bowl itself and Michael Jackson's legendary 1993 halftime show performance. – Heran Mamo, Billboard
The "Hot to Go" singer was joined by Noah Kahan and Charli XCX in donating $25,000 each to health care support for developing artists. – Billboard
Despite Beyoncé, Sabrina Carpenter and Kendrick Lamar, Ratings for the Grammys Fall
Ratings for the Grammy Awards dipped from last year, despite the tension of whether Beyoncé would win album of the year and a surprise appearance by The Weeknd. Sunday night’s broadcast on CBS was seen by 15.4 million viewers according to Nielsen. That represents a decline from 2024, which was seen by 16.9 million. – Associated Press
Spotify, Warner Music Group Sign New Multi-Year Distribution Deal
Spotify and Warner Music Group, which owns labels behind artists such as Ed Sheeran and Dua Lipa, signed a new multi-year deal for recording and publishing music. Under the deal, Spotify will have a direct license from WMG’s music publishing arm Warner Chappell Music, which has a catalog of over 1 million copyrights in the U.S. and several other countries. –Reuters
U.S. Copyright Office Launches Inquiry Into Performing Rights Orgs
The United States Copyright Office (USCO) has launched an inquiry in an effort to answer “questions related to the increase in the number of PROs and the licensing revenue distribution practices of PROs.” – Daniel Tencer, Music Business Worldwide
Prince Estate Blocks Release of Netflix Documentary by Oscar-winning Director Ezra Edelman
Nine-hour film will not be seen, after ‘mutual agreement’ between estate and Netflix, with estate announcing plans for its own film. – Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian
Original Black Sabbath Lineup to Reunite for First Time in 20 Years at One-off Concert in England
The original lineup of heavy metal legends Black Sabbath, including Ozzy Osbourne, will play together for the first time in 20 years at a one-off concert on July 5 in Birmingham, England. The band pioneered heavy metal music in the early 1970s with hits such as War Pigs, Paranoid and Iron Man. – Reuters
Going For a Song: Investors Flee to K-pop as Safe Haven Amid Trump’s Tariff War
Shares in South Korea’s entertainment groups soar as steel tariffs combine with a Blackpink world tour and BTS revival to supercharge their appeal. – Jason McCurry, The Guardian
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Faces New Sexual Assault Lawsuits as he Awaits Trial
Combs denies wrongdoing alleged in three new lawsuits filed against rapper and mogul, including claim he ‘effectively imprisoned’ male adult entertainer. – The Guardian
New York Dolls’ David Johansen Is Being Treated for Stage 4 Brain Cancer
Johansen was diagnosed with cancer a decade ago and has kept the diagnosis private until now. Five years ago the cancer progressed to the brain. Sweet Relief has announced a fundraiser to help pay his medical bills. – Paul Cashmere, Noise11
