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Steven Van Zandt Praises Educators While Being Honored by American Federation of Teachers

The American Federation of Teachers presented Steven Van Zandt with its Making a Difference award on Saturday (July 10). The award, which was presented virtually during the AFT’s TEACH summer educational issues conference, recognizes the rock musician’s “years of work promoting and appreciating the work of educators.” In a taped acceptance speech to the audience […]

Jamie Lynn Spears Penning Memoir Scheduled for Release in Early 2022

Jamie Lynn Spears is getting ready to tell her story. On Friday (July 9), Spears’ publisher confirmed to Billboard that the 30-year-old actress is currently working on an as-yet untitled memoir, scheduled for release in January 2022. “Jamie Lynn’s book has been in development over the past 12 months and will allow the world to […]

Universal Music Publishing China Hosts All-Female Writing Camp with She Is The Music

After hosting an all-female songwriter camp in Beijing with global non-profit She is the Music in June, Universal Music Publishing (UMP) China hopes the initiative serves as the blueprint for future writer gatherings under its Untapped 2021 banner. The mission of the Untapped series, according to Joe Fang, who assumed the post of managing director […]

Copyright Office Recommends MLC’s Distribution of Pre-2021 Unmatched Royalties Not Occur for 5 Years

In a key comment on one of the most controversial issues regarding the Mechanical Licensing Collective, the U.S. Copyright Office issued regulations and best practices which included the guideline that the initial distribution of unmatched mechanical royalties by market share not occur for at least five years—not the minimum three-year period as stated in the […]

Songwriter J.R. Rotem’s Catalog Acquired by Swiss Investment Entity MusicBird AG

On Thursday (July 8), Switzerland-based investment entity MusicBird AG announced the acquisition of songwriter Jonathan “J.R.” Rotem’s catalog. Best known for penning a laundry list of radio hits from the 2000s and early 2010s, Rotem is the hitmaker behind songs like “Beautiful Girls” by Sean Kingston; “Whatcha Say” and “In My Head” by Jason Derulo; […]

From Beyoncé to Justin Bieber, Here Are Ed Sheeran’s 8 Best Collaborations

Singer-songwriter-producer Ed Sheeran certainly isn’t stingy with his talent. In addition to his many collaborative efforts, he just co-wrote BTS’ new happy-go-lucky track “Permission to Dance,” which was released on Friday (July 9). Sheeran’s Billboard 200-topping album No.6 Collaborations Project lined him up with pop singers from Justin Bieber to Taylor Swift, rappers from Travis Scott to Cardi B, and fellow […]