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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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EMPIRE's Tina Davis (left) and Girl Connected's Lola Plaku at Conversations with the Pros at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto on March 28, 2025.
Courtesy of Girl Connected

EMPIRE's Tina Davis (left) and Girl Connected's Lola Plaku at Conversations with the Pros at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto on March 28, 2025.

Record Labels

EMPIRE President Tina Davis Gives Strategic Advice to Women in Music at Girl Connected's New Speaker Series

On Friday (March 28), the president of EMPIRE, the Bay Area-independent label and music company, came to Toronto for Conversation with the Pros offering tangible advice to the mentorship program's community. Davis also spoke to Billboard Canada about her impressive journey in the industry.

Girl Connected has launched a new series that connects the next generation of women in Canadian music with powerhouse executives for the global industry.

On Friday (March 28), Tina Davis, president of EMPIRE, sat down with Girl Connected founder and music industry veteran Lola Plaku at Toronto Metropolitan University for the first in-person Canadian edition of Conversations with the Pros (Billboard Canada was a supporting partner). The series brings in inspiring music industry figures from Girl Connected's international network to talk about their journeys and offer actionable information and advice to help the budding music professionals develop their skills and reach the next level of their careers.

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