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The Weeknd
Music Biz Headlines: L.A. Fires Impact Canadian Artists, TikTok and CBC Under Threat
Also featured in our weekly compendium of headlines: The Weeknd delays his album release date but celebrates a Billboard No. 1 placing, the Bonnaroo lineup is revealed, Drake drops his lawsuit against Universal Music and Spotify, Carrie Underwood honours Donald Trump and a cutting critique of Bono.
09 January
The ongoing devastation of the Los Angles area fires has had a huge impact on both Canadian and American musicians as well as on such showbiz events as The Grammys and Oscars, and is dominating music industry-themed headlines. Also in the news are heightened threats to TikTok and the CBC and legal issues for Nicki Minaj and disgraced Canadian rapper Tory Lanez.
The U.S. TikTok ban is Going Before the Supreme Court. What Does This Mean for Canada?
As the Supreme Court mulls over a potential TikTok ban in the U.S., experts weigh in on whether Canada could follow suit. – Andy Takagi, Toronto Star
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Canadian Trumpeter Jens Lindemann Leans on Music as He Loses Home in L.A. Wildfires
Jens Lindemann says his love of music will help carry him through the devastating loss of his family home in the Pacific Palisades wildfires. – David Friend, Canadian Press
Los Angeles Fires Displace Ottawa Rapper TwoTiime, Among Other Canadians
Ottawa rapper Khalid Omar, who performs under the name TwoTiime, was forced to evacuate his Calabasas condo as wildfires tore through the Los Angeles area this week, leaving the studio where he records in ruins. – Alex Nino Gheciu, Canadian Press
Drake Drops Legal Action Vs Universal Music and Spotify Over Kendrick Lamar's 'Not Like Us'
Drake has officially withdrawn his legal petition against Universal Music Group and Spotify, which accused the companies of a scheme to “artificially inflate” Kendrick Lamar’s diss track, Not Like Us. – Music Business Worldwide
The smash rules Billboard's 100-position retrospective. – Gary Trust, Billboard
The Weeknd Delays ‘Hurry Up Tomorrow’ Album & Cancels Rose Bowl Concert Amid LA Wildfires
The highly anticipated third act of the star's album trilogy had been slated to arrive Jan. 24. – Hannah Dailey, Billboard
Salish Sea Early Music Festival Announces 2025 Vancouver Lineup
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The event returns to Vancouver with an extensive early and classical music program spanning centuries of music history from 1525 to 1835. Salish Sea will feature internationally renowned performers and a variety of unique concert programs. – Vicki Duong, Georgia Straight
Megan Thee Stallion Is Granted a Restraining Order Against Canadian Rapper Tory Lanez
Megan Thee Stallion has been granted a five-year restraining order against incarcerated rapper Tory Lanez, with an expiration date of Jan. 9, 2030. Megan claims Lanez has been harassing her from behind bars as he serves a 10-year sentence stemming from a July 2020 incident where he shot at her feet. – Thania Garcia, Variety
Corus Touts Home and Flavour Network Launches as it Reports Q1 Profit Down
The chief executives of Corus Entertainment Inc. say they’re encouraged by responses to the launch of its two new lifestyle brands, but acknowledge “fluctuations” in audience levels could still lie ahead after it lost the content rights for Food Network and HGTV. – Sammy Hudes, Canadian Press
With Conservatives Promising to ‘Defund,’ Could the Next Election Kill the CBC?
The CBC’s current role, its prospects for reform and its very existence are set to become election issues in the coming campaign. – CP
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Eric Volmers' Roundup of 2024 Calgary and Area Music
Here are my picks of some of the best music from the city and surrounding area. – Calgary Herald
Q + A: Clark Bryan on Saying Goodbye to Aeolian Hall
Aeolian Hall is looking for a new leader after the retirement of the longtime visionary behind the iconic east London music and arts venue. – London Free Press
International
Bonnaroo 2025 Headliners: Tyler, the Creator, Olivia Rodrigo, Luke Combs, and Hozier
Vampire Weekend, MJ Lenderman, Mannequin Pussy, Queens of the Stone Age, GloRilla, Beabadoobee, Tyla, Modest Mouse, and more will perform at the June festival in Manchester, Tennessee. – Pitchfork Universal Music Group Cancels its Traditional Array of Grammy Week Activities
The largest music rightsholder in the world has announced it has canceled "all of our Grammy-related events" for 2025, including its annual after-Grammy party. Universal says it is canceling these shindigs in order to "redirect resources that would have been used for these events to assist those affected by the [Los Angeles] wildfires." – Music Business Worldwide
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FireAid, a benefit concert for the victims of the ongoing California wildfires, is set to take place on Jan. 30 in Los Angeles. – Richie Assaly, Toronto Star
Beyoncé Delays Announcement Amid LA Wildfire Crisis
"I continue to pray for healing and rebuilding for the families suffering from trauma and loss," Beyoncé wrote. JessicaLynch, – Billboard
The platform transformed everyday users into influencers and made entrepreneurs rich via its Shop feature. – Jason Parham, Wired
Nicki Minaj Accused of Assault, Battery by Former Assistant
Nicki Minaj is being sued by a former employee who alleges that the rapper assaulted him after a Pink Friday 2 World Tour concert in April. Brandon Garrett, Minaj’s day-to-day manager at the time, also accused her of intentional infliction of emotional distress. –Washington Post
Bono: The Narcissistic, Rockin’ Mascot of a Brutal System
As Ireland’s smarmy rock star basks in his own greatness, having been awarded the Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden, it’s worth reflecting upon his seedy place in global politics. – Paste
Carrie Underwood, Village People to Perform at Donald Trump’s Inauguration
Country music star Carrie Underwood will perform “America the Beautiful” at Donald Trump’s inauguration next week and the 1970s hitmakers Village People will perform at two inaugural events. – Michelle Price, Associated Press
‘The Speakers are the Crown Jewels’: The Rise of Britain’s Listening Bars
Music on high-end sound systems takes centre stage in these Japanese-inspired spaces for audiophiles. – The Guardian
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UK Festivals Face ‘Really Tough’ Year Due to Fewer Headline Acts and Rising Costs
Stars must now be booked so far in advance for events that organisers can only guess who will sell tickets in two years’ time. –The Observer
Mobile Games Giant Supercell Backs Music Startup NextBeat
Mobile title Beatstar has been one of the music-gaming success stories of the past decade. It launched in 2021 by startup Space Ape Games, now being fully acquired by mobile gaming giant Supercell. Space Ape founders are spinning out a new company, NextBeat, which will be the new home for Beatstar and its Countrystar sister game.” – MusicAlly
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