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FYI

Music Biz Headlines, Jan. 22, 2018

Swedish music has been dominating global charts, and the Grammys recognise that hip-hop is here to stay. Also in today's look at the headlines, John Mann, Lindi Ortega, Justin Timberlake, rising Toronto stars, Andre Ethier, Lee Ann Womack, the Beatles, The Black Eyed Peas, protest music, and Sass Jordan.

Music Biz Headlines, Jan. 22, 2018

By Kerry Doole

Sweden makes music: How diversity, education and tech propel Swedish artists onto the world stage

Sweden may be a small country but its artistic community has been a dominating force on the Billboard charts for decades, and the national government is investing more money in providing the same global resources to the smaller, local acts who need it most –  Cherie Hu, Billboard


Grammys finally admit hip-hop is here to stay

The genre rules the top categories, including Record, Album and Song of the Year –  Lorraine Ali, LA Times

Toronto musicians to watch in 2018: indie edition

By our slippery definition, the genre includes everything from synth ballads to sunny psych rock to lo-fi R&B gong punk. Here are six bands to keep an eye on – Richard Trapunski, NOW

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Forget About Tomorrow puts John Mann’s spirit on the stage

The former Deadly Snakes member finds he had things to say in his 20s and now in his 40s, but not in between – Ben Rayner, Toronto Star

The creative integrity of Lindi Ortega

The country music siren has found her place in the world of music. It might not have all the trappings of stardom, but its comfort level can’t be beat  – Jeff DeDekker, Regina Leader-Post

Let's hear it for the banned

The once infamously shunned Barenaked Ladies are now Canadian Music Hall of Fame-bound  – David Friend, CP

Justin Timberlake made peace with Janet Jackson after Nipplegate scandal at Super Bowl 

Justin Timberlake was involved in the biggest controversy in Super Bowl halftime history, but he returns for the show this year – Peter Sblendorio, NY Daily News

Pop-punk bassist accused of $27M fraud scheme

Former Ataris member Michael Davenport was indicted in December for allegedly defrauding 100,000 people in every US state over a period of seven years  – npr.org

All along, Waxahatchee 

Katie Crutchfield, maker of one of last year’s best records, is taking that buzz and going home  – Tara Thorne, The Coast

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Lee Ann Womack wants to remind us what country music is about

The 51-year-old Grammy winner and 2001 Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year returns to her Texan roots on her fine new album. She plays The Horseshoe in Toronto on Jan. 24 – Nick Krewen, Toronto Star

The Black Eyed Peas return to their radical roots

A dark and poignant new track focuses on gun control, prison reform and institutional racism  –  August Brown, LA Times

Victory for live music as venues are given protection from future Bristol city centre flats

The agent of change principle will come into law meaning developers must properly soundproof new properties  –  Patrick Daly, Bristol Post

Stop children, what’s that sound?: Trump-wave protest music

A new generation of American songwriters answer the call for musical dissidence  – Dean Van Nguyen, Irish Times

Sass Jordan reimagines her past in Racine Revisited

'I got to pretend that I was a kid, recording a record the way I would have loved to have recorded a record back then'  – Bill Brownstein, Montreal Gazette

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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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