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FYI

Music Biz Headlines: February 19, 2018

A Canadian hip-hop anthem turns 20 this year, and Drake's penchant for charity is praised. Also in the headlines are music broadcasts, Joni Mitchell, audio streaming and ticket scalping.

Music Biz Headlines: February 19, 2018

By Kerry Doole

'Northern Touch' at 20: An oral history of the most important rap collaboration in Canadian history

For the 20-year anniversary of its release, the artists and key contributors to the song reflect on its impact, "from the past to the present and the future," for an oral history of "Northern Touch." – q, Tom Powers


Broadcasting live gigs – platforms for music broadcasts reviewed

The platforms include Facebook Live, Periscope, YouTube, YouNow, ConcertWindow, StageIt, and Gigee. They are not all created equal – Chris Huff, Disc Maker Blog

How to be a responsible fan in the age of streaming

According to the data trackers at BuzzAngle Music, more than 99 percent of audio streaming is of the top 10 percent most-streamed tracks. Which means less than 1 percent of streams account for all other music – Damon Krukowski, Pitchfork

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Drake’s giveaways in ‘God’s Plan’ remind us there’s more than beats in his heart

The local rap titan’s new video makes something of a spectacle of charity, but it’s clearly a sincere part of who the superstar is  Vinay Menon, Toronto Star

David Crosby on Joni Mitchell: “She was stunningly good, right off the bat”

The story of Mitchell's rise to fame, as told by her biggest champions  Sam Richards, Uncut

Cracking down on scalpers: Google changes rules to curb deception in ticket sales

Resale sites must show more transparency according to new AdWords guidelines  Dave Brooks, Billboard

Kendrick Lamar's gripping 'Black Panther' soundtrack joins a tradition of black movie music

The new blockbuster proudly adheres to an established tradition of black movie music that stretches back decades — through "Boyz n the Hood" and "Waiting to Exhale" in the 1990s to "Purple Rain" and "Do the Right Thing" in the 1980s to "Super Fly" and "Shaft" in the 1970s  Mikael Wood, LA Times

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Coco Love Alcorn
Courtesy Photo

Coco Love Alcorn

FYI

Music News Digest: Music Community Rallies to Support Coco Love Alcorn Through Cancer Journey

Also this week: more trouble for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Toronto scene veteran Paul James turns 75 with a free hometown show at The Phoenix and a date is set for the first Canadian Blues Music Awards.

Canadian pop and jazz singer-songwriter and choir leader Coco Love Alcorn has just revealed that she is fighting an aggressive form of cancer. This will involve a long period of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and further surgery. Alcorn explains that "I have had to cancel all my touring, teaching, and performances for 2026 and my local choir is on hiatus till further notice. I also had 3 trips planned to BC this winter/spring to record my new album and that project is also on hold."

A GoFundMe campaign to assist her has been set up. Donate here. The rapid and generous response to her campaign reaffirms the peer respect she enjoys.

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