Music Biz Headlines: The Weeknd's 'Hurry Up Tomorrow' Movie Falls Flat with Critics, Drake Addresses the 'Drake Curse'

This has been another week in which Drake has made headlines on multiple fronts. He shared a petition calling for the release of fellow rapper Tory Lanez, joked about Justin Bieber while referencing the infamous 'Drake curse' in sports, and his ongoing battle with Universal Music Group has attracted the attention of legal scholars.

Also this week, The Weeknd's Hurry Up Tomorrow movie is not performing as hoped, Donald Trump takes aim at The Boss, and new inductions into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame.

Find all those stories and more in this week's roundup of music business headlines.

Canadian Music Biz Headlines of the Week

Megan Thee Stallion's Lawyer Denies Claims of New Evidence in Tory Lanez Shooting Case

The nonprofit organization Unite the People held a press conference yesterday with new claims that Kelsey Harris' bodyguard overheard her say that she fired the gun, not Lanez. – Stefano Rebuli, Billboard Canada

Drake Tells Tory Lanez ‘Come Home Soon’ After Prison Stabbing

Drake shared a Change.org petition urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to pardon the fellow Toronto MC. – Heran Mamo, Billboard

Drake’s Lawsuit Over Kendrick Lamar’s ‘Not Like Us’ Is ‘Dangerous,’ Legal Scholars Warn

Law professors are sounding the alarm bell on Drake's high-profile lawsuit against UMG, citing the controversial practice of rap lyrics in criminal cases. – Bill Donahue, Billboard

Here’s What Drake Has to Say About the Dreaded ‘Drake Curse’ in Sports

The OVO boss joked about there being a "Bieber Curse" after the Toronto Maple Leafs were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Playoffs on Sunday. – Michael Saponara, Billboard

‘Men Run Away From Vulnerability’: The Weeknd on Blinding Success, Panic Attacks and Why The Idol was ‘Half-baked’

Abel Tesfaye is arguably the world’s biggest pop star – so why is he thinking of wrapping up The Weeknd? As he releases soul-baring film Hurry Up Tomorrow, he charts his path through drugs, heartbreak and abandonment. – Ben Beaumont-Thomas, The Guardian

Earned It? Not This Time — The Weeknd’s ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Falls Flat in Theatres

The movie was ravaged by reviewers and audiences alike, marking the latest acting misstep — and that's putting it mildly — for one of music's best-selling superstars. – Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter

'It's a Lovely Payoff': Glass Tiger, Sum 41 Among the Six Artists Inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame

At the National Music Centre on Thursday evening prior to the Canadian Music Hall of Fame Induction ceremony, the first of six inductees to hit the red carpet was singer-songwriter Dan Hill. – Eric Volmers, Calgary Herald

How a Cancer Diagnosis Helped Sum 41 Guitarist Dave Baksh Bring the Band’s Final Tour into Perspective

Sum 41 guitarist Dave Baksh was diagnosed with testicular cancer in 2022, just as the band was gearing up for its first post-pandemic tour. – Graham Isador, Globe & Mail

Documentary Highlights Political-punk History of Vancouver band D.O.A.

The journey of Joey Keithley from fronting hardcore punk legends to winning a city councillor’s seat in Burnaby in 2018 is the focus of American director Scott Crawford’s documentary Something Better Change. screening for Q&A. – Stuart Derdeyn , Vancouver Province

How Vancouver's Indie Recording Studios are Staying Busy in the Digital Age

Monarch Studios opened in 2012. It has since recorded some of Canada’s biggest names in indie rock, like Hey Ocean!, Said The Whale, the Matinee, and many more. – Nathan Caddell, Georgia Straight

First Week of Trial in Killing of Pat Stay Wraps up

Adam Joseph Drake's trial in Nova Scotia Supreme Court in Dartmouth on a charge of second-degree murder in the September 2022 stabbing of noted rap artist Pat Stay is scheduled to run until next month. – Ian Fairclough, Saltwire

International Music Biz Headlines of the Week

A Trump Trifecta as he Slams Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Supreme Court on Same Day

In separate Truth Social posts on May 16, the president criticized both Bruce Springsteen and Taylor Swift, who are not only vocal critics but openly supported his Democratic presidential opponent, Kamala Harris. – Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY

Americans Are Paying $300-Plus or Going Into Debt for Concert Tickets, Studies Show

New studies found concert goers grew comfortable spending hundreds in 2024 and, as ticket prices continue to balloon, they say they're willing to shell out more this year. – Elizabeth Marshall, Billboard

Elton John Slams U.K. Government AI Policy

Elton John has slammed Britain's Labour government for its approach to artificial intelligence (AI) and copyright law. – Noise 11

HYBE Reportedly Eyeing Expansion Into India

Could a local acquisition be its route into the emerging market? – Music Business Worldwide

‘He Left an Incredible Mark’: How a Festival Organizer’s Murder Galvanized Venice’s Underground Music Scene

At 26, Venezia Hardcore co-founder Giacomo Gobbato was killed while protecting a stranger on the streets of Venice – a death that’s become a rallying cry for a city in crisis. – The Guardian

Lord Buffalo Drummer ‘Forcibly Removed’ From Plane and Detained by Border Patrol

This action forced the band to cancel its European tour. – Jem Aswad, Variety

Cassie Ventura Concludes Testimony in Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Sex-Trafficking Trial

First week of testimony heard singer talk about in-patient treatment center she went to to ‘help me with my trauma.’ – The Guardian

Chris Brown Freed on $6.7 Million Bail in London Ahead of Tour

The musician, who was arrested May 15, is due to kick off Breezy Bowl XX in June. – Anna Chan, Billboard