Where Are They Now?
Designer
In the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of hip hop, few artists manage to capture the attention and leave an indelible mark with just one breakout hit. However, in 2015, a young rapper Designer, hit the scene with his debut single "Panda" took the music industry by storm, But where is Designer now, and what has he been up to since his meteoric rise to fame?
BUSINESS
Taylor Swift Collabs with Ice Spice following Matt Healy’s Racist comments
Spotify Changes Subscription Prices
Article by Andrea McCoy
Article by Ryhan Brown
Fans were buzzing with excitement when they learned that Ice Spice, the first Black woman to feature on one of Taylor Swift's tracks, would be joining the reworked version of "Midnights." However, amidst the anticipation, some began questioning Swift's intentions. Earlier this year, Healy, who has been seen with Swift on multiple occasions, was embroiled in controversy for engaging in conduct that many deemed racist. Healy was caught laughing at and participating in jokes that mocked Ice Spice during a podcast appearance. Although neither Healy nor Swift have publicly confirmed their relationship, their outings together have made headlines, and Healy has been spotted during several performances of Swift's Eras Tour. With this background, some skeptics speculated that Swift's collaboration with Ice Spice was a calculated PR move, while others expressed disappointment in Swift's silence regarding the Healy situation.
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The inclusion of Ice Spice on "Midnights" undoubtedly brought immense joy to fans, who appreciated the representation and the breaking of barriers. However, the controversy surrounding Healy's behavior cast a shadow over Swift's choice of collaboration. Critics pointed out that Healy's actions earlier in the year were racist, raising doubts about Swift's motivations. The fact that Healy and Swift have been seen together and that their relationship has been a subject of media scrutiny only added fuel to the speculation. Videos capturing Healy's appearances during Swift's tour performances further fueled the belief that there was more than a professional connection between the two.
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While some were quick to dismiss the collaboration between Swift and Ice Spice as a mere PR stunt, others acknowledged the possibility that the collaboration had been planned long before the controversy surrounding Healy emerged. Nonetheless, many fans expressed their disappointment that Swift had not addressed the situation publicly. Swift's silence left some feeling uneasy, as it seemed to ignore the racist behavior exhibited by someone closely associated with her. The absence of any comments from Swift regarding the Healy controversy left fans longing for transparency and clarity, as they grappled with conflicting emotions surrounding the highly anticipated collaboration with Ice Spice.
In conclusion, while the news of Ice Spice featuring on Taylor Swift's track "Midnights" generated excitement among fans, it also sparked discussions and raised questions about Swift's motivations. The controversial behavior exhibited by Healy, who has been linked to Swift, added complexity to the situation. Some skeptics believed that the collaboration was a calculated PR move, while others considered it a pre-planned endeavor. Nevertheless, fans expressed disappointment over Swift's silence regarding the Healy situation, craving a more transparent and inclusive response from the pop superstar. As the release of "Midnights" draws near, the anticipation and concerns surrounding the collaboration continue to linger among Swift's dedicated fan base.
Diddy Business: How did he get here?
Article by Ryhan Brown
Sean John "Diddy" Combs has proven time and again that his influence goes far beyond his own successful hip-hop and R&B career. As a tastemaker and visionary, Diddy has a remarkable talent for identifying and nurturing talent, transforming promising artists into superstars. In the early days of his career, he played a pivotal role in launching the careers of Mary J. Blige and the Notorious B.I.G., putting them on the map and forever changing the music industry.
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In 1993, Diddy established Bad Boy Records in partnership with Arista Records, and it was through this venture that he discovered the then-unknown Christopher Wallace, later known as the Notorious B.I.G. This collaboration served as Diddy's golden ticket to showcase his exceptional talent to the world. Fast forward to the present day, Diddy continues his legacy of fostering talent with the recent launch of LOVE Records, a new record label. Last month, he announced an exciting one-album recording deal with Motown, solidifying his significant presence in the industry once again.
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Diddy's unwavering passion for music has been the driving force behind his accomplishments. With an impressive track record, he has earned a total of 13 Grammy nominations and secured three wins. Throughout his career, Diddy has released five solo albums, two of which have achieved platinum status. His undeniable talent as a producer and collaborator is evident through his work with notable artists such as Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Boyz II Men, Britney Spears, Ma$e, and Kanye West. Diddy's influence and contributions to the music industry have left an indelible mark, cementing his status as a true icon.
Spotify follows behind other music providers by changing the prices of their premium subscription plans. In the UK the subscriptions will rise by £1 a month to £10.99 for an individual plan, £14.99 for a premium duo plan and £17.99 for a family plan. The price of a student plan remains unchanged at £5.99.
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The US prices have also been changed from $9.99 to $10.99 (£8.57) for those with an individual plan. The premium duo service will increase from $12.99 to $14.99, the family plan from $15.99 to $16.99, and the student plan from $4.99 to $5.99. Spotify reported that 36 million newly monthly active users joined between the months of April and June. Taking their total users to 551 million and of that there are a total of 220 million who pay for subscriptions. Spotify's chief executive Daniel Ek said the company had a "very strong quarter", although its share price dropped by more than 11% after it revealed its results.
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Spotify also spoke about a new feature they developed for the Spotify app. Spotify unveiled its "AI DJ", which it billed as a personalized "DJ in your pocket" that would deliver "a curated line-up of music alongside commentary". When it comes to the reason for the change in prices has been dabatable since Spotify changed their prices in 2021. Spotify says their prices increase due to the advancements and the staff continuously delivering a lot of value to their customers. Apple Music, Peacock, Netflix, Max, and Paramount+ have also recently raised subscription prices. The new Spotify Premium cost matches the monthly plans of competitors Apple Music and Amazon Music.
The company will continue to offer a free plan that includes advertising.
Take off’s mother sues bowling alley where Migos member was killed
Article by Ryhan Brown
Titania Davenport, the mother of Migos musician Takeoff, has taken legal action against the establishment responsible for her son's untimely death. Seven months after the rapper was fatally shot in a Houston bowling alley, Davenport has filed a claim for negligence. In a lawsuit filed on June 7, she named the owners of the bowling alley's real estate and several linked LLCs as defendants. The lawsuit argues that despite prior knowledge of the private party where Takeoff was shot, the defendants failed to provide adequate security for the event.
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According to the lawsuit, the defendants neglected their duty to maintain a safe premises by failing to exercise ordinary care. The facility had been booked by the J. Prince family, a renowned music entrepreneur, for an "after hours" celebration with the potential attendance of notable artists, athletes, and public figures. Tragically, in the early hours of November 1, 2022, Takeoff lost his life at the downtown Houston event. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire, causing panic among attendees who fled the area. Quality Control Music, Takeoff's record company, revealed that he was struck in the head or neck by a "stray bullet." Despite pleas for help captured on video, Takeoff succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
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The lawsuit filed by Titania Davenport serves as an attempt to hold the responsible parties accountable for the tragic loss of her son. By alleging negligence and inadequate security measures, she seeks justice for the preventable incident that cut short Takeoff's promising career and life. As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen how this case will impact the event industry and the importance of ensuring the safety of attendees at private gatherings and venues.
THE WEEKND SIGNS PUBLISHING PACT WITH UNIVERSAL
Article by Ryhan Brown
UMG (Universal Music Group) has made headlines with its recent extensive and long-term collaboration with global superstar artist, The Weeknd. The deal encompasses various aspects of The Weeknd's music career, including the management of his songwriter catalog and all future works by Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). This agreement comes as a new long-term arrangement following the expiration of The Weeknd's previous engagement with Kobalt, which had managed his publishing rights for several years.
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In addition to the publishing aspect, this massive deal further solidifies the relationship between The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, and UMG Republic Records. Republic Records has served as his label partner since 2012 and will continue to be so under this agreement. The Weeknd retains the recording copyright through his own company, The Weeknd XO Inc. (aka XO), which he operates alongside his longtime friend and manager, Wassim "SAL" Slaiby. These XO recordings are distributed and marketed by Republic Records, a partnership that has been thriving for approximately a decade.
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The Weeknd's collaboration with UMG demonstrates the company's commitment to nurturing and supporting exceptional talent in the music industry. With UMPG managing his songwriter catalog and Republic Records continuing as his label partner, The Weeknd's artistic endeavors are set to reach new heights. This deal marks an exciting chapter in his career and promises an exciting future filled with innovative music and creative projects for fans worldwide.