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BILLBOARD CANADA FYI
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Stephen Lovekin/WWD/PMC
Kanye West
FYI
Music Biz Headlines: Kanye West Banned From Entering U.K., Alessia Cara's AI Anxiety
Also this week: Lady Gaga, Goo Goo Dolls cancel Canadian shows, Rush reflect on upcoming tour and Celine Dion extends Paris residency.
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This week, the ever-controversial Kanye West (Ye) is at the centre of a political storm as his antisemitic past sees him banned from entering the U.K., a move that has seen the cancellation of the Wireless Festival he was set to headline.
Elsewhere, American musicians unions defend Bruce Springsteen against Trump insults, Pershing Square seeks to buy UMG for over $60 billion and more music biz headlines of the week from Canada and beyond.
Canadian Music Biz Headlines
‘It's a Little Scary’: Alessia Cara Speaks Out After AI-Generated Song Appears on YouTube
Celebrating the release of her first-ever live album, Love or Lack Thereof, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter shares the importance of human-created art in Canada’s music landscape. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
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Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson of Rush Talk About Jitters Ahead of Reunion Tour
The band, with a new drummer and keyboardist, will play four shows in Toronto in August. – David Friend, Toronto Star
Goo Goo Dolls Cancel Remaining Canadian Tour Dates Following John Rzeznik’s Pneumonia Diagnosis
The ‘90s rock band were set to play shows in Ottawa, Laval, Halifax and Moncton. This follows previous cancellations in Sault Ste. Marie, Oshawa and Hamilton, due to the frontman’s illness. – Heather Taylor-Singh, Billboard Canada
She had to cancel her third of three Mayhem Ball stops at Bell Centre due to an ongoing respiratory infection. – Katie Atkinson, Billboard
Cirkut Won Both Grammy & Juno Awards for Producer of the Year: Who Else Has Done That?
Just two other producers have doubled up — and just one other has done it in the same calendar year. – Paul Grein, Billboard Canada
How Did Justin Bieber Play a Concert in L.A. Before Coachella (And What Is a Radius Clause)?
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Experts weigh in on how the star was able to perform at the Roxy on Sunday despite Coachella's strict ban on playing local shows leading up to the festival. – Ariel King, Billboard
Dan Levy Teams Up With Canadian Musician Peaches for Score on Netflix’s ‘Big Mistakes’
Dan Levy is ready to grab the attention of Netflix audiences with his first original scripted series since “Schitt’s Creek” and he’s combining his comedy prowess with the avant-garde sounds of Canadian electroclash musician Peaches for the score. – Craig Macrae, Canadian Press
Drake Appeal in ‘Not Like Us’ Case Slammed by Legal Scholars: ‘It Is Dangerous’
As Drake appeals his case, law professors say he can't sue over a fight he picked himself: "Consent is an absolute defense to defamation." – Bill Donahue, Billboard
Paul Anka on Health, Songwriting and Why He Stays Out of Politics
Here, the famed singer-songwriter shares his thoughts about staying young and the secrets of show business. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
APEM Summit: Talking About AI to Protect Music Creators
Multiple generations of music industry professionals gathered for the 10th edition of the Music Tech Summit hosted by the Association des professionnels de l’édition musicale (APEM), at Montréal’s Centre PHI. Artists, publishers, managers, and content creators mingled and discussed the growing role of AI in making music. – Thalia Chaput, SOCAN Words & Music
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$6M Campaign Kickstarts Dreams of Upgraded Arts Venue in Strathroy, Ontario
The renovations, designed in partnership with a London architectural firm, will include a theatre of 200-plus seats. – Ryan Goodison, Postmedia
From Song to Stream: A Guide to Music Revenue Streams in Canada
Understanding music revenue streams is key to making sure creators are properly paid for their work. In Canada’s music ecosystem, a single song can generate several types of royalties across different revenue streams, each tied to aspects of copyright. – CMRRA The Pulse
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International Music Biz Headlines
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Bids to Buy UMG For Over $60 Billion
The non-binding offer proposes moving UMG's headquarters and stock listing to the United States. – Elizabeth Dilts Marshall, Billboard
Following Ye (Kanye West)'s U.K. Travel Ban, London’s Wireless Festival Is Officially Canceled
The event had been due to take place at Finsbury Park in July but aroused major controversy. – Thomas Smith, Billboard
Ye Attempts a Comeback With Sold-Out L.A.-Area Concert, Support From Lauryn Hill
“I want to thank y’all for sticking by me all these years. Through the hard times, through the low times,” he told the crowd. – Ryan Pearson, AP
Celine Dion Adds Six More Dates to Paris Residency Run
The additional shows at the Paris La Défense Arena will take place in September and October. – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Eurovision Song Contest is Expanding With an Asian Edition Later This Year
The music spectacle Eurovision is holding its first Asian edition in Bangkok later this year. – Associated Press
The president called the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame legend a "bad and very boring singer" while accusing Springsteen of having "Trump Derangement Syndrome" in a post on Tuesday (April 2). – Gil Kaufman, Billboard
Country Music Sensation Charley Crockett is a Texan, and Don't You Forget It
Charley Crockett draws on the romanticism of the Wild, Wild West for his songs and persona. A new documentary, A Cowboy in London, follows his visit to the U.K. and three sold-out shows at Hoxton Hall. – Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail
Charli xcx Management Clarifies Sky Ferreira Claims About ‘Wuthering Heights’ Credits
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After Sky Ferreira alleged her old demos were used on Charli xcx's Wuthering Heights album without credit, Charli's management team is sharing a statement on the situation.– Lyndsey Havens, Billboard
Rolling Stones Next Album Expected To Be Titled Foreign Tongues
The Rolling Stones are preparing for the release of their twenty-fifth and final studio album, expected to be titled Foreign Tongues, following a cryptic teaser campaign across London. – Noise11
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