ASCAP ‘Women Behind the Music’ Honors Columbia’s Phylicia Fant, Motown’s Jamila Thomas, Attorney Alicia Ferriabough Taylor

Uma Thurman is opening up about an iconic role.

Amanda Seyfried has joined Tom Holland in the cast of the new Apple anthology series The Crowded Room.

William Earl Executives from TikTok, TheSoul Publishing, Roku, Hulu, and NBCUniversal join Variety President and Chief Media Analyst of Variety Intelligence Platform Andrew Wallenstein in the Variety Streaming Room for an exploration into how platforms are developing and producing content that will connect with modern audiences on a large universal scale. Victor Potrel, VP Platform Partnerships, TheSoul Publishing; Tedd Cittadine, Head of Content Partnerships, Roku; Reagan Feeney, SVP Live Content Programming and Partnerships, Hulu; Bryan Thoensen, Head of Content Partnerships, TikTok; and Val Boreland, EVP Content Acquisitions, NBCUniversal, sit down for a conversation about what is crucial in building popular content for modern viewership.  Find out what video categories — long-form, short-form, comedy, family-friendly and more — are widely engaging to audiences of all ages. Panelists will also talk about how mastering content curation and discovering strategies are important to break through in a competitive media landscape. The session will also explore how programmers are developing loyal audiences by extending the footprint of favorite IP and content brands across various channels and platforms. “As our video content has more social views than any other publishing studio in the world, TheSoul Publishing is thrilled to collaborate with Variety to spark a timely conversation around modern storytelling as audiences are continuing to stream their entertainment at massive levels,” said Victor Potrel, VP of Platform Partnerships, TheSoul Publishing.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorJustin Bieber’s Justice World Tour – launching February 18 in San Diego and spanning more than 90 dates in more than 20 countries — aims to bring “Justice In Action” to every corner of the globe.Bieber has teamed up with Propeller to reward his fans for taking action. Every night on the tour, Propeller will enable fans to enter to win a VIP ticket upgrade to watch the show from one of the best spots in the house; fans also will be able to enter to win a trip to meet Bieber in Paris at his Accor Arena show in 2023.More to the point, Bieber will be using his platform to raise awareness and inspire his fans to sign petitions, follow impactful organizations on social media, register to vote, volunteer their time, donate, and more in support of efforts to raise money for the Generosity Foundation, help transform the criminal justice system with REFORM Alliance, and fight climate change with NRDC.

Easy as can be! Bethenny Frankel is on a mission to up her glam game — and lucky for Us, she’s sharing all her tips, tricks and favorite products. 

His words. Bachelor in Paradise’s Riley Christian is breaking his silence after his split from Maurissa Gunn, and getting candid about adjusting to the major life change.

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Alison Hammond was told she was 'too famous' to return to her former job after appearing in Big Brother.

Eric Bailly told Anthony Martial’s Sevilla team-mates the striker “needed affection” after making the move from Manchester United.

A man who stabbed a 16-year-old in a random attack outside a tram station while drunk has been jailed for 10-years.

A mum of two has recalled the horrific moment her children were trapped inside their grandmother’s home as it burst into flames.

A nine-year project to build four skyscrapers - including one which is set to be the second tallest building in Manchester - has been given the green light.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe legendary New York studio Power Station at BerkleeNYC, formerly known as Avatar Studios and the Power Station, officially reopened on Wednesday with a reception showcasing its $15 million renovation, which includes high-end video capture, professional lighting, 360 cinematic virtual reality, and spatial audio and broadcast live streaming capabilities. Singers Cyndi Lauper and Nona Hendryx, both of whom recorded classic songs at the studio, attended the event.Over the years, Bruce Springsteen, David Bowie, Paul Simon, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Herbie Hancock, Bob Dylan and countless others recorded classic albums at the Power Station.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorShortly before he was scheduled to perform at the Rolling Loud hip-hop festival in New York on Thursday night, rapper Fetty Wap was arrested on drug charges and later indicted, along with five others, on a drug trafficking conspiracy charge.Federal prosecutors say the six men allegedly transported and distributed drugs, including heroin and fentanyl in Long Island, according to an indictment obtained by CNN Friday.While initial reports of the arrest seemed to reflect a minor drug charge, the arrest was apparently a sting; Fetty Wap had been scheduled to perform at the festival for months. The indictment, filed Sept.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe Rolling Loud festival makes its New York debut this weekend, with a powerful lineup that includes some of the biggest names in hip-hop. The bill is topped by \headliners 50 Cent (whose first major performance in many months takes place tonight), J.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorOlivia Rodrigo and the Weeknd lead the nominees for the American Music Awards with seven and six nods respectively, show producers MRC Live & Alternative and ABC today this morning. Bad Bunny, Doja Cat and Giveon are close behind with five.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn the decades after ABBA — one of the most popular and influential groups in the history of the world — announced their breakup in 1983, journalists grew so tired of receiving the same skeptical answers about the group reuniting that they largely stopped asking. Which made it all the more surprising in 2018 when the group’s co-founders, Bjorn Ulvaeus and Benny Andersson, confirmed that they had reunited with singers (and ex-wives) Agentha Falkskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad and recorded two new songs and were preparing some kind of virtual concert experience.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn its first post-IPO earnings report, Universal Music Group posted 17.4% year-over-year revenue growth in the third quarter of 2021, with recorded music subscription and streaming revenue up 15.2% and adjusted EBITDA up 20.7%.Lucian Grainge, UMG’s Chairman and CEO, said, “Our operational and financial performance this quarter – our first as an independent, publicly traded company – demonstrates both why UMG is the world’s most successful music company, as well as how our commitment to artists’ career development and fostering innovation promotes growth across the music ecosystem.”Revenue for the third quarter of 2021 was €2,153 billion (around $2.49 billion), up 16.1% compared to the third quarter of 2020, and

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn an understated, very Swedish way, ABBA co-founder and CISAC president Bjorn Ulvaeus is apoplectic.We’re talking about the soaring value of song catalogs — a boom that has seen Bob Dylan sell his catalog for nearly $400 million, and Hipgnosis Songs spending more than $2 billion on acquisitions in just over three years, with another billion-plus on tap. And yet throughout the industry, the songwriter is at the proverbial bottom of the financial totem pole.“It’s immoral!,” Ulvaeus exclaims.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorGlobal royalties collections for music creators dropped 10.7% during 2020 due to the pandemic, declining by nearly €1 billion (approximately $1.16 billion) to a pre-2017 level of €8.12 billion (approximately $9.3 billion), according to the 2020 Global Collections Report published Wednesday by CISAC, the International Confederation of Societies of Authors and Composers.The collections were a setback after years of consecutive growth — including an 8% boost in 2019 to €9.17 billion— but under the daunting circumstances of the pandemic, which saw collections from live entertainment, bars, restaurants and other establishments plummet precipitously, most parties agree that the loss could have been a lot worse.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorTravis Scott has unveiled the lineup for his third annual Astroworld Festival, taking place in his Houston hometown on Nov. 5-6, and like the rapper himself, it’s far-reaching and full of surprises, ranging from Lil Baby and SZA to Bad Bunny and Tame Impala to Earth Wind & Fire.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorAs the hearing that may determine the end of her conservatorship approaches, Britney Spears took to Instagram late Monday to air some grievances about the way she has been treated by her family.“This message is to my family … for hurting me deeper than you’ll ever know,” beneath a photo of a mini typewriter.In the post, she speaks of the disappointment of being blown off by “people you love,” and after leading with a reference to the “mini typewriter” pictured in the post, closes with a reference to Camila Cabello’s recent’ “Tiny Desk” concert on NPR.A post shared by Britney Spears (@britneyspears)“I found my mini typewriter !!!,” she writes.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorThe estate of legendary R&B singer Luther Vandross has struck a wide-ranging partnership with Primary Wave Music that sees the company acquiring a stake in the late artist’s publishing, master recording income stream, and name and likeness rights. The company will continue a long-term partnership with the estate to manage all assets.Sources tell Variety the deal is in the $40 million range.Like so many other classic soul singers, Vandross launched his career playing “Amateur Night” at the legendary Apollo Theatre in Harlem while he was in high school.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIn the five years since his death from cancer in January 2016, David Bowie’s estate has kept fans captivated with an extensive, tastefully curated series of reissues that have presented a vast amount of material in a non-overwhelming manner. Happily, that same approach is evident in the “Bowie 75” pop-up stores (so named for his 75th birthday in January of next year), which opened in London and New York on Monday.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorVeteran artist manager Laura Haber has announced the launch of Little Lion Management, which sees her continuing to work with longtime clients First Aid Kit, Tove Lo, and Yeah Yeah Yeahs. The firm is “focused on a holistic, bespoke, and personally supportive approach to each client’s individual career and personal goals,” according to the announcement.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorEd Sheeran has given fans a preview of each song on his forthcoming album, “=” (Equals) via 14 YouTube Shorts ahead of its official release this Friday.According to the announcement, the 14 Shorts “encapsulate the very personal journey of Sheeran’s album – four-years-in-the-making – with each one bringing to life the intimate and everyday moments that are reflected in the songs.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorWarner Records has named Karen Kwak executive vice president and head of A&R, joining the company on Nov. 1 and reporting to co-chairman & CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorMoon Kissed are an all-female New York trio whose music is equal parts pop, indie and attitude. It’s an angle they hit you with, straight off the bat and in no uncertain terms, on their sophomore album’s lead-off track, “Bubblegum,” which has a gritty synth-pop sound, an indelible hook and, well, “I know your tiny ego’s bruised/ Don’t try to blame me” singer Khaya Cohen sweetly snarls.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorEven though they now share management, a collaboration between the Weeknd and dance-music titans Swedish House Mafia didn’t seem obvious or even that natural of a fit.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorIann Dior, 070 Shake, Alessia Cara, G-Eazy, Tori Kelly, Alesso & Danna Paola, A7S, Kiana Lede, X Ambassadors and more are featured on the soundtrack to ‘Blade Runner: Black Lotus,’ which drops Nov. 5 on ASG/10:22PM/Def Jam Recordings.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorGrammy-nominated songwriter Ali Tamposi and artist-music industry vet Tamar Kaprelian have launched a new digital education video and podcast series “Song Start,” which is available on Spotify for Artists’ recently launched Noteable platform today — check it out here.The series debuts with ten video episodes with artists including John Legend, Camila Cabello, Charli XCX, and Phoebe Bridgers (pictured above), and ten corresponding podcast episodes explore and explain into the topics of Songwriting, Production, Business, Music & Mindset, featuring singers Sam Smith and Hayley Williams and producer-songwriter Take a Day Trip.Introducing #SongStart from @noteable and @song__start ✍️

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorBeyonce has been keeping a low musical profile over the past few months, but she’s breaking cover with a new song, “Be Alive,” featured in the new trailer for “King Richard,” the Will Smith-starring biopic on the rise of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams from the perspective of their father, Richard (played by Smith).The song, which plays throughout the second half of the trailer, is an orchestra-laden anthem, with a powerful vocal by Beyonce.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorRapper-entrepreneur A$AP Ferg has joined the management roster at Jay-Z’s Roc Nation. The Harlem-born member of the hip-hop collective A$AP Mob — who will go by just Ferg for his non-A$AP efforts — has been in the studio over the past couple of months, and fans can expect a new song from him produced by the Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) on October 29th.