#interesting move by umg!

[dreamings-free]

In response, TikTok claims it has reached “'artist-first' agreements with every other label and publisher” and that “Universal's self-serving actions are not in the best interests of artists, songwriters and fans”

31st January 2024 By Surej Singh

Last night (January 30), Universal Music Group (UMG) published an open letter announcing its intention to withdraw music from artists signed to the publisher and label from short-form video platform TikTok, which has since responded in a statement of its own.

A short list of UMG artists whose music is expected to vanish from the platform is Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, Drake, Billie Eilish, Justin Bieber, Adele, Coldplay, J Balvin, Post Malone and Sophie Ellis-Bextor – whose 2001 track ‘Murder On The Dancefloor’ has gone particularly viral through TikTok following the release of Saltburn.

In its statement, UMG announced that its licensing agreement with TikTok expires today (January 31, 2024) and that negotiations to renew the contract have fallen short. According to Reuters, TikTok and UMG first reached an agreement in February 2021.

-> read the full article on nme.com

[chungledown-bimothy]

drake dropped a SECOND legal action in 24 hours oh my fucking god. it's defamation this time, which makes more sense, but it is very interesting that that's not where he started. it's been months, and he's just now calling bullshit?

it's not even kendrick he's going after it's UMG. i know very little about defamation laws, but that seems weird to me?

dude, just take the L and try to move on. no amount of litigation's gonna save your career. you're just making yourself look even more ridiculous.

[shegatsby]

I'm sorry but I have another idea for a story😅 please take your time to write it again and if you do it can I maybe be "♡🌸"-anon? I hope you had a really good time the last few days and weeks and that you're healthy! Same for anyone else reading this! Now onto the idea..

Hannibal and reader are already married and reader is a tattoo artist, one day when Hannibal comes home from work he sees reader sitting on the couch and sketching a tattoo, the tattoo is deer antlers(wink wink lol-) with vines around them, when he asks who the tattoo is for reader says that its for him and then they go on and on about why its fitting for Hannibal and he's just listening to her rambling before he stops them and asks if they could do a heart tattoo with the words Mischa, Readers name and the name of their child. (I know Mischa is from Hannibal Rising but I like to think that the movies are all connected to the show so.. yeah that would be amazing <3) Reader would say that they already thought of doing a design like that and they accidently slide the wrong way on the iPad and Hannibal sees a picture that says "Congratulions for a second child!" and idk, the rest is up to you!^^

Sorry that its so long again but its just super cite and yeah.. anyway, a good rest of the day to all of you! I hope all of you are healthy and stay/are safe! And I feel with everyone thats also a bit pissed at the situation with Tik Tok and UMG🥲

-♡🌸

A/N; Girll I haven't been writing Hannibal fics for a long time but here we go. Thank you for the request. xxx

You were preoccupied and didn't even heard the door. Soft yet determined steps approached you from the back and strong arms wrapped around you, you looked up to meet your husband's welcoming gaze, he he seemed tired because his work was consuming his hours more than usual. His hands were cold due to the fact that it was a harsh winter day in Baltimore, ''Hey.'' you said smiling, ''Hello dear.'' his voice softened. ''How long have you been sitting here and designing new drawings my love?''

You were self conscious about your designs before you could respond he added, ''Who is this for?''

His interest was piqued ''Do you like it?'' you asked testing the waters. Hannibal observed the design on the tablet, it was deer antlers with veins around them, ''Yes, I actually like it but you didn't answer my question dear.'' he replied with a questioning look in his maroon eyes, ''Its for you and I'm glad you liked it.''

He seemed confused, ''For me? Why do you think this dsign is suitable for me?'' he genuinely asked. You cleared your throat before speaking, ''In many cultures, the deer is a symbol of spiritual authority. During a deer's life the antlers fall off and grow again and the aniaml is also a symbol of regretion. In Christian imagination, the deer is a symbol of piety, devotion and of God taking care of his children: men.'' you explained, emphasising on the word ''children'' your eyes glowing with passion.

''And you my love,'' you held his hand, ''you are everything and more to us.'' you meant yourself and your daughter Mischa. As if the toddler had sensed that you were talking about her she started crying from her room. ''I'll get her.'' Hannibal said and kissed your temple gently. In moments he came back with Mischa in his arms, he was swaying her gently, ''Cna you also make something,'' he began and caught your attention, you admired the love he held in his eyes for you and your daughter and your hand went to your stomach without realizing, ''Mischa's name in a heart, maybe?'' he suggested, ''I already have.'' he was surprised that you already had thought about it, ''Can I see?''

You showed him the design you had made few weeks ago, ''And I also have other designs maybe you'll like them more.'' you said and moved to the gallery to show more and he made you pause, he held your hand, ''What is it?''

You got a picture of pregnancy test on your latest photos, 'you looked up to meet his gaze, hi clicked on the picture and saw that it was positive, ''Honey are you-'' he began but couldn't finish, ''Yes, yes I'm pregnant!'' you bolted to your feet and hugged your husband and daughter, Hannibal was holding Mischa with one hand and the other hand moved to your neck and kissed you passionately, you let him dominate the kiss. When you parted you were out of breath, ''I'm going to be a father.. again.'' his maroon eyes were glowing with love and warmth for you, Mischa and the new member of the Lecter family.

[rainbowdaisy13]

Wider theory ask here-all of the burning it down,eclipse imagery the heavy bearding. Someone on her mentioned thinking that Taylor might be “fighting” another Great War behind the scenes again. With the news today that her music is back on TikTok’s AND UMG signed that deal with Hype media and scooter AND this album fulfills the contract with UMG……. Do you think that there’s a record label split announcement coming or an announcement of Taylor doing her own record label. So many pap photos this last year were from Electric Lady Studios…. Idk I just have a weird feeling that there’s something going on behind the scenes with the mount of roses,exposure,deal with the NFL,the leaked emails with Scott swift,the weird paparazzi altercation in Australia etc in addition to the Eras Tour, even Karlies return to modeling,media acquisitions…. You need promotion for a new record label. The whole name of TTPD, department is usually a section of a buisness right? Idk just lots of interesting pieces.The last time I had this feeling it was the Lover era….

I would not be shocked by any major announcement she makes in terms of making her own big moves in the industry—we know she’s supposedly directing something?! That was such a weird little drop last year and then we hear nothing more. I agree she was purposely papped so much at Electric Lady it does seem intentional

Her using the word Chairman has always made me 😒 bc it also seems intentional vs President or CEO or Director which says to me that TTPD is more like an afterschool club or secret society Vs a business

Which now that I’m extrapolating maybe it’s more imagery about her moving away from TS the Business? 🧐

[sleepingswift85]

Just taking a moment to repeat what I said last night about how Twice’s comeback was put back a week from the 12/13th to the 6th of December. Why was it moved from the 12th when a new release was announced during Twice’s anniversary fanmeet?

Answer pretty easy: Republic Records a division of UMG likely requested a change to allow one of their artists to release on that’s. JYPs interest in the US market is critical for them.

Who would want the 13th of December slot? Who is on Republic Records and has a birthday on that day? And I’m all force Twice needing another billboard album number one before Miss Swift swoops in with probably the album that shocked us all then and will do so again. Clowning yes.

Calling it now?

Will it be Debutation?

I know one thing what happened here was STRATEGY. As they say it’s a theory… 🤣

[waitmyturtles]

I so wish I had some good analysis on UMG, because, gah, I really wanna like it! I mean: Nanon x Namtan x Milk x Drake x Sing! Come onnnnnnnnnn. Nanon and Milk in love, really? This must be good, right?

I’m caught up on the series now after my trip, and the show is just totally flat. Nanon’s acting, before Milk/Erng showed up, was fabulous — heartbroken, yearning. The mystery of the missing Erng was still out there. There was great attraction tension between Nanon and Namtan/Fahsai, especially when Fahsai discovered she had a rival in Erng. They were all a part of this mystery explorers club, and we were going to learn why they were all interested in the otherworldly, right?

Totally wrong. I dunno. At least in the club settings, these students almost seem like bored dilettantes, but that's a little too harsh. What I mean to say is: I am not convinced as to why any of them want to BE in this club. I'm not convinced that Fahsai is ACTUALLY INTERESTED in aliens, because no compelling reason or background has been given to it -- the only flashback background we're given is between Nanon/Mew and Erng.

And lord, the kid actors are out-acting Nanon and Milk. I'm way more convinced that the kid versions of Mew and Erng will get together! I don't know why, but it seems like Nanon and Milk are holding themselves back from some real emotion! Yes, we need to discover more about Milk and why she's been held captive by the aliens (and okay, maybe Mew has some hesitation about getting with someone who could freeze his ass, but ANYWAY) -- the script isn't allowing anyone to feel anything. It's this mismashy mix of comedy (ill-placed), emotion (not really going far), sexual tension (Fahsai is totally flat -- girl, just MAKE YOUR MOVES ON MEW!), bad camera work and cinematography (why those close-up shots of Mew and Kit, wth?), and just dumb dialogue (we didn't need that whole alien vs. monster thing in episode 5, my god!).

Add this to the lack of investment in GMMTV's SFX department (I'm looking at you, Midnight Museum), and there's a lot to complain about. I'm unfortunately invested in what will happen with this alien that's just showing up in public now (I guess they have fabulous eyelashes on other planets) that I'll watch this for a few more episodes. But I'm peeved that I spent my last two nights catching up with this instead of watching The Eighth Sense, which I'm going to binge ASAP. This was a huge wasted opportunity for Nanon and Milk to build something together, and Nanon was WAY WAY better in Midnight Museum (at least in the few episodes I peeped mid-series), so I know this is the script and not his acting. There was a lot of potential here for UMG, and I'm not holding out hope that it gets better -- but I always remain open to optimism.

[influencermagazineuk]

The current ongoing feud with Kendrick Lamar took an unexpected turn when Drake turned his back on the rapper, pointing the accusing finger now at Universal Music Group, claiming that the label was unfair to promote the rapper's latest diss track more than his music. The feud that has long festered between these hip-hop heavyweights has been complicated with claims that the label plays a behind-the-scenes role in escalating their rivalry. In an explosive legal filing recently obtained by The Independent, Drake alleges UMG secretly manipulated streaming algorithms to give Lamar's diss track preferential streaming, the offending line of which accuses Drake of being a "certified pedophile." Meanwhile, Drake claims the label has intentionally suppressed his music in favor of Lamar's. This makes for an especially charged battle between the two artists. Lunchbox LP, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons However, sources close to the situation indicate that Drake's frustration is not so much with Lamar's lyrics as it is with business practices allegedly questionable by the record label. According to one insider, "Drake is more upset about the way Universal Music Group has handled things behind closed doors, rather than Kendrick's latest diss." The same source suggests that Drake feels that he is being singled out by the label, which has reportedly leaned in favor of Lamar in recent months. Again, tensions between Drake and Kendrick Lamar are nothing new. The two have been trading insults at each other through their music for years, but a recently surfaced incident of streaming number manipulation over the federal holiday weekend added a different dimension to the rivalry, and one that hints there is more going on than just lyrical beef. In his pleading, Drake says that in several instances, UMG has made Lamar's own music an uneven playing field, resulting in him somewhat ahead of the other in terms of ranking and stream count. The rapper alleges that there were deliberate suppression of his tracks, so his frustration over how his recent releases lacked visibility and recognition. In the meantime, his rival's diss track, which flaunts direct insults towards Drake, has apparently gained millions of streams, fuelling his suspicions further. It has been escalating in the past few months, and both rappers have taken shots at each other publicly. Kendrick Lamar's latest diss track was creating a stir for its harsh lyrics, especially the line calling Drake a "certified pedophile," a reference to previous rumors about the rapper's personal life. While Drake has not directly responded to the accusation, his legal filings suggest that he views Lamar’s words as part of a broader scheme, with UMG allegedly working behind the scenes to stoke the flames of their rivalry. Long known for his calculated approach to both his music and his public persona, Drake is reflecting the wider trend in the music industry: artists feel beleaguered by record labels and corporate interests as much as they are by each other. With success more or less decided upon by streaming numbers, the pressure to remain visible and relevant has never been higher. Other allegations against UMG also come at an interesting time for the music industry, as increasing scrutiny is heaped upon business practice in the industry, particularly with regards to streamers and record labels and how they contribute to artists' success. With the rise of independent musicians and alternative distribution channels, the question of the role major labels play in artists' careers is increasingly being questioned by artists themselves. For Drake, the situation appears to be about something more than the music. Moreover, among other complaints, he vents frustration over the label's decision to sever ties with some of his allies, a move he believes is part of a broader strategy to support Lamar and suppress his influence in the industry. This, he claims, further complicated the dynamic between him and Kendrick Lamar to the point that the feud has been turned into a corporate game. It is not over yet; the continued saga of Drake and Kendrick Lamar. This is far from a simple clash of egos or lyrical battles. It's also a sort of reflection of the power play in place within the music industry, as the move by a record label can have rippling effects on an artist. While exactly how this legal saga plays out is anyone's guess, what is certain is that the battle between Drake and Lamar is now about much, much more than music. Read the full article

[madampoewrites]

⎘ INTO THE SOFIA-VERSE :

(edit inspo from the lovely @soungodly)

ABOUT SOFIA:

Sofia Louise Carter (professionally known as Sabrina Carpenter) was born on September 13, 2001, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Dahlia and Brian Carter. She is the younger cousin of Vivian Lombardi; Sofia’s mother is the little sister of Helen Lombardi. Her parents are law officials; her mother is an assistant district attorney and her father is a criminal defense attorney. Despite her parents’ judicial background, Sofia’s talents and interests in the arts would dictate the future she’d soon pursue.

Sofia would start uploading singing covers onto YouTube. She’d soon transition to acting, a small role in Law & Order: SVU. In 2013, she’d secure a reoccurring role in the Disney Channel series, Girl Meets World. In 2014, she’d release her debut single, Can’t Blame a Girl for Trying, which was co-written by Meghan Trainor. April 2015 saw the release of her debut studio album, Eyes Wide Open. During this time, her family would move to Manhattan due to job opportunities her parents were offered. Between 2016 - 2022, Sofia released four studio albums; displaying her genre versatility and singing capabilities.

In 2021, she’d sign with UMG’s Island Records and soon released her record label debut, Skin. The song would debut at number 48 on the Billboard Hot 100, being her first entry on the chart. July 2022 would see the release of her fifth studio album, Emails I Can't Send. Emails… debuted and peaked at number 23 on the Billboard 200, making it her highest entry on the chart to date. In June 2023, it was announced that Sofia would be the opening act for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour for a number of its Latin American, Australian and Singaporean dates throughout 2023 and 2024.

On April 11, 2024, Carpenter released the single Espresso. Espresso topped the Billboard Global 200 and peaked at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Released on June 6, 2024, the second single from the album, Please Please Please, became her second global chart-topper and her first US number-one single. With these songs, she became the first female artist to hold the number one and two positions on the UK singles chart for three weeks in a row.

When she’s not in the studio or on-set, she often travels between New York and California, visiting her cousin, Vivian. May of 2024, Sofia graduated from NYU with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music, specifically Jazz Theory.

INFLUENCES:

Sofia names R&B and soul as genres that influence her the most. Growing up, Sofia was exposed to 70s and 80s vinyl and grew an extreme liking to Gwen Guthrie, Chaka Khan, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston and Etta James. In 2011, she’d perform Etta James’ Something’s Got a Hold on Me at the Gold Mango Audience Festival in China. She can play the guitar and is a self-taught Jazz and Soul pianist.

DISCLAIMER ⚠︎︎: This a purely fictional and semi-original portrayal of Sabrina Carpenter. Black, female writer. 21+ This is NOT a lewd or DTF account, so do not approach with sexual advances; you will be ignored! MDNI.

[yessadirichards]

Songs by Taylor Swift, Drake and more starting to disappear from TikTok

NEW YORK

TikTok may look (or sound) a little different when you scroll through the app going forward.

Earlier this week, Universal Music Group — which represents big-name artists like Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny and Drake — said that it would no longer allow its music on TikTok following the Wednesday expiration of a licensing deal between the two companies.

Now, the takedown of UMG-related music has begun, ByteDance-owned TikTok confirmed to The Associated Press. As of early Thursday, a vast roster of popular songs had disappeared from the social media platform's library.

The complete removal of UMG-licensed music might not be immediate — but chances are, avid TikTokers are already seeing the effects. Here's a rundown of where things stand.

The songs getting pulled from TikTok are those that are licensed by UMG — which carries an enormous reach across the music industry and, consequently, our digital diet today.

“Universal Music Group is literally the largest record label... in the history of the music industry,” said Andrew Mall, an associate professor of music at Northeastern University. An “uncountable number of tracks and sounds” would be impacted on TikTok, he added, significantly limiting options for creators.

TikTok users signing on Thursday will see that they are no longer able to search for many popular songs — including music from Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo and more — under the “sounds” tab.

In addition to users no longer having the option of adding these songs to next dance craze and other trending content, past videos featuring UMG-licensed music will also be scrubbed. According to a UMG spokesperson, whether these existing videos are muted or taken down entirely will be up to TikTok.

Artists will also not be able to post the audio of their UMG-licensed songs on TikTok. If the music has a UMG license, it should be muted, the spokesperson said — noting the company will protect its copyrights.

Tour clips of artists could also be affected, if those songs are represented by UMG, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. This can become tricky if there are multiple songwriters, as recordings from other labels could also be affected, the person added.

Complete removal will likely be a process, so it may take a few days for TikTokers see the full effects. It's also important to note that music licensing is a complicated business and artists often have different songs that move through different labels. While a singer's UGM tracks will be removed, songs licensed exclusively with other music giants (like Warner and Sony-owned labels, for example) shouldn't be impacted.

The expiration of licensing between UMG and TikTok arrived after the two companies were unable to reach a new agreement — and soon shared heated exchanges.

In a Tuesday letter addressed to artists and songwriters, UMG said that it had been pressing TikTok on three issues: “appropriate compensation for our artists and songwriters, protecting human artists from the harmful effects of AI, and online safety for TikTok’s users.”

UMG said that TikTok proposed paying its artists and songwriters at a rate that’s a fraction of the rate that other major social platforms pay, adding that TikTok makes up only about 1% of its total revenue. The music giant also took issue with TikTok's promotion of AI music creation — which UMG says poses risks to human artists — and the platform's record with what it says is hate speech, bigotry, bullying and harassment.

TikTok pushed back against claims by UMG, saying that it has reached “artist-first” agreements with every other label and publisher.

“It is sad and disappointing that Universal Music Group has put their own greed above the interests of their artists and songwriters,” TikTok said.

Despite the licensing deal's expiration, experts note that we're still a moment of negotiation between UMG and TikTok — and it probably won't last forever.

“We’ve seen this movie before. It’s a wonderful, theatrical stand-off between two very major corporations... who are wanting to assert their authority on the landscape,” said former president of UMG's Virgin EMI Records Ted Cockle, who now runs music advisory company called Mussel Music Management.

Users will likely find ways to adjust in the meantime, Cockle added, but he and others doubt that such a standoff will last long — noting that a partnership between UMG and TikTok is significantly beneficial to both parties. Historically speaking, Mall said, gaps for other licensing agreements in the 21st century's digital era have typically lasted just a day to up to a few months.

There will also likely be added pressure from TikTok creators, artists and their fans.

“This is a platform that’s really important for artists,” said Alexandra J. Roberts, a professor of law and media at Northeastern University. “It might not affect established artists as much, but some of them are going to lose revenue streams. And I think we’re going to see frustrated fans, right? Users who don’t understand or are angry about the fact that they can’t use or access or engage with some artists' work.”

Representatives for several artists with UMG-licensed music — including Taylor Swift, Bad Bunny, SZA, Drake, Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish — did not immediately respond to The Associated Press’ requests for comment.

Mall stressed the overall consequences of pulling music from social media platforms like TikTok — particularly for younger developing artists. In this situation, UMG’s revenue mostly comes from well-known artists who will probably be “just fine” if their music is no longer on TikTok, he said, but “smaller labels, smaller artists (couldn’t) afford to do something like this.”

Content creators and marketing experts are already preparing to pivot as needed. Jessica Henig, founder and CEO of music marketing firm Unlocked Branding who is works on campaigns involving UMG-licensed music, said it's not ideal, but that her team has grown accustom to working through delays across the social media landscape.

Still, Henig, who previously headed influencer marketing at Virgin EMI, said time will tell.

“If this is going to be a longevity thing, then we might have a different conversation," she said.

TikTok’s standoff with Universal isn’t the first time a recording label has gone head-to-head with a social media company over licensing terms. In late 2008, Warner Music Group pulled all of its music from YouTube, saying the payments it received from the video-sharing site did not fairly compensate the label, its artists or songwriters. Warner agreed to return songs and music videos months later after reaching a new deal with YouTube.

[andronicmusicblog]

Skrillex says the next big music-sharing app after TikTok will be whatever accessible to the younger generations

Skrillex recently shared his thoughts on the future of music-sharing apps, specifically TikTok, which recently saw all of Universal Music Group's music removed from its platform. In an interview with Complex at the Grammys, the American DJ and music producer talked about the platform's impact on skyrocketing emerging artists to success. He noted that the landscape of music is constantly evolving, and the new stuff that youths are making is what's driving the change. This is similar to what happened with SoundCloud, which became popular because it was easy for people to use.

It is unclear what will happen to TikTok following UMG's decision to remove all of its music from the platform. The move came after the record label accused TikTok of attempting to “bully” them into accepting a deal that was worth less than the previous one and below fair market value. This is likely to have a direct impact on TikTok user satisfaction, as UMG represents some of the biggest artists on the planet, including Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and BTS.

Many artists, like Grammy-nominated Noah Kahan, are concerned that they can no longer share new music on the app that made them famous. Responding to UMG's announcement, TikTok expressed its disappointment, saying that the label had put its own greed above the interests of its artists and songwriters. The company also highlighted that the platform, with well over a billion users, serves as a free promotion and discovery vehicle for their talent.

[saintlaurentproblems]

This move by UMG might actually have a positive effect on charts. No more TikTok songs we're bringing the *real* hits back

This could be interesting

[eggmcmuffsyr]

how AI powered tools will change the revenue models for artists

The article explores discussions between Google and Universal Music Group regarding a potential collaboration to license artists' voices for AI-generated music. The objective is for users to employ AI to create new songs with musicians' voices and melodies, with Google compensating UMG through licensing fees. The talks are still in the early stages, and artists would be given the choice to participate. Another major player, Warner Music, is reportedly engaged in similar discussions with Google about an AI music tool.

Here are some key takeaways and its impact

Ownership and Reputational Challenges:The emergence of audio deepfakes has triggered concerns about ownership and potential harm to artists' reputations in the music industry. The article references a previous incident involving an AI-generated song featuring Drake and The Weeknd, which faced copyright infringement issues. UMG strongly criticized the deepfake, emphasizing the responsibility of platforms to prevent harm to artists

Legalizing AI-Generated Music: The proposed collaboration aims to establish a legal framework for incorporating artists' voices into AI-generated music. This could potentially address copyright concerns and offer fans a legitimate way to create music. However, uncertainties linger about how such arrangements would safeguard artists' reputations and whether they would derive financial benefits through licensing fees.

Artists' Perspectives:The article underscores that certain artists, including Drake, have expressed reservations about AI being used to replicate their voices without consent. Conversely, some artists like Grimes see generative AI as an opportunity to collaborate with fans, permitting the use of their voices and sharing royalties.

Ethical Considerations:Despite potential legal resolutions through licensing agreements, ethical dilemmas persist. The article draws parallels with other industries, such as literature and film, where AI-generated content raises ethical questions. It mentions the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which involves a proposal to use AI-generated likenesses, as another illustration.

Potential Impact:

If the discussions between Google and UMG succeed, it could establish a precedent for the legitimate use of AI-generated music, offering a structured approach to licensing and compensating artists.

The move reflects the industry's need to adapt to evolving technologies, but it introduces challenges related to ethics, reputation management, and the financial interests of artists.

The involvement and protection of artists will be pivotal in determining the success and acceptance of such agreements within the music industry.

In summary, while the potential collaboration addresses legal concerns associated with AI-generated music, it introduces fresh complexities related to ethics, artist reputation, and financial considerations. Industry stakeholders are likely to closely monitor how such collaborations navigate technological innovation while respecting artists' rights and ethical considerations.

[septembersghost]

collider. com/taylor-swift-eras-tour-film-studios/ "Furthermore, both parties have agreed to allow cinemas to showcase the film for a duration of up to 26 weeks, setting the stage for substantial financial gains for both parties involved..." Up to 6 months/end of April? Hmm, I wonder if she'd release WW sooner if tix have sold out. Maybe a discount to countries not on tour stop? Will other UMG artists follow suit- Drake, Post M., Jonas Bros, Olivia R, Billie E., Morgan W.? Some on tour now.

it's such a power move, and of course taylor has the resources, support, and business savvy (herself and her parents) to pull it off, likely in a way many artists couldn't do just because of her unique position in how her everything is structured for her. that said, it will be so interesting to see if this shakes things up and n.the industry or sets a precedent for any other artists thinking about following suit and who have the ability to bypass the studios.

[berlinini]

Zayn did 0 promo for his last 2 albums. His label didn’t support him at all. He has moved to a new label. It is good that it looks like he has their support. UMG is the label on which Niall and Liam are.

I think his music will do really well. I think his fanbase is big and eager. They have been waiting for new music. He is talented so we know it’s going to be good no matter what. Hopefully with a push from the label he gets things like radioplay and play listing that is all that matters at the end of the day as we have seen. That was the difference between his first album and his subsequent two.

The cynical side of me says, both Liam and Zayn are on the same label and are going to be releasing new music, of course their label is looking for synergies.

Yeah, jokes apart about the 1D baiting, I think Zayn has a very good position with the GP. He's still a household name from leaving 1D, his first singles which were major hits and also just being famous in general (Gigi helped). People know who Zayn is. He has a solild fanbase for his solo stuff and since he's doing a genre of music that none of the 1D guys are doing + he's crazy talented, I feel like a few singles that are well marketed and get radio plays will allow him to 'make a comeback'. That's if that's what he wants obviously.

But all signs points to a new beginning that's more active and of course any new label will want him to succeed and bring in some money. If they put all the stops, they will have him on the big promo circuit because I think there is a general interest for him (once again, if he's willing to do it).

The question remains if he's ever going to perform live again - because wihtout that, there are clear limits to his career growing, knowing that touring is one of the most profitable venue for musicians.

[mirabella96]

UMG ep 8

I am not sure if am like WHY WOULD YOU BRING THIS ALIEN HOME or ohhhhhh he adopted the alien

So the story od Apollo astronauts is really moving and I really like the conversation the characters are having, BUT it's not a metaphor for love triangle XD

This series is no subtle at all

YOU ARE LYING YOU MADE MEW CRY I CANNOT BELIEVE

Oh finally sth really interesting!

[waitmyturtles]

Quick notes on two Sunday dramas:

1) The End of the World, With You, episode 7: we’re almost at the finish line, Ritsu had a few revelations, he showed off an INSANE EIGHT-PACK, DID I COUNT CORRECTLY, Masumi and Ritsu are back together. I really liked the middle episodes of this series, but for some reason, TEOTWWY isn’t carrying me through to the end. I just don’t know why this show didn’t gel for me. That being said: I was moved by the ending of this episode, of Masumi seeing Madoka’s altar, and watching the notion of death become a reality in that instant. 

Okay, I take a little of this back: I WAS also moved by the river scene, of Masumi admitting he would have never done anything like that before, taking a river bath in the middle of the day. And seeing Ritsu so moved by Masumi’s admission -- and seeing the flashbacks of what Ritsu felt towards Masumi after college. (Although I thought the post-breakup scenes of Masumi were overblown.)

I might be missing this series for what it has to offer simply by reading too much into it. I’m going to watch the final episode next week and take it down a notch by just WATCHING IT, rather than looking for the hallmarks of what I’ve seen from Miki Koichiro in the past. 

2) UMG, episode 1: I’m watching this for Nanon and Milk (let’s see...Manon? Minon? Nilk?) Two 10-year old kids, Mew (Nanon) and Erng (Milk) are best friends, with Mew in love with Erng. Erng disappears mysteriously in a forest and is assumed dead. Ten years later, Mew joins a college club that investigates paranormal activity, and inadvertently joins the investigation of the missing Erng. The show has Namtan Tipnaree, who I don’t know yet, but is DARLING in her role as a gal who’s interested in aliens and wants to help Mew in his search for Erng. She cute. 

I’d be watching Midnight Museum instead, but I don’t do ghosts and related scary shit. I’m also committed to trying to mix up my shows from QL-land (especially as I’m on the Old GMMTV Challenge journey -- my head needs a break from the historical watches). UMG is only 10 episodes, so this will hopefully be an easy watch, and I’m absolutely loving a) the way it’s filmed -- it’s giving a little Jojo/Dirty Laundry at the moment, and b) Drake as Mew’s friend has me cracking the hell up. Luv you, Korn. It’s cute, light, whatever -- we’ll see about it!