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Roc-A-Fella Records has convinced a New York federal judge that Jay-Z’s first album shouldn’t be sold as an NFT — at least for the time being.
The label sued its co-founder Damon Dash on June 18, alleging he was trying to sell virtual ownership of the Reasonable Doubt copyrights. NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are effectively digital data that represents tangible items.
While Dash has disputed that he was trying to sell rights in the album, according to the complaint, investor platform SuperFarm made this announcement: “SuperFarm is proud to announce, in collaboration with Damon Dash, the auction of Damon‘s ownership of the copyright to Jay-Z’s first album Reasonable Doubt. This marks a new milestone in the history of NFT’s, entitling the new owner to future revenue generated by the unique asset.”
An auction had been set for June 23-25, according to the complaint, but it was canceled after Roc-A-Fella sent a warning letter to SuperFarm. The label was concerned Dash might still pursue a sale, so it asked the court to issue a temporary restraining order.
During a Tuesday morning hearing, U.S. District Court Judge John Cronan asked why monetary damages wouldn’t suffice. Alex Spiro, representing the record company, answered, “A lot of it has to do with the uniqueness added to the unique industry.”
Dash and his lawyers didn’t show up for hearing, but Spiro said they were served papers and had previously responded to a cease and desist. Dash’s side has also commented about the dispute in the media where they said they really wanted to sell shares in Roc-A-Fella.
Cronan said Jay-Z’s record label was likely to prevail on merits. He pointed to Jay-Z’s declaration that Roc-A-Fella owned copyright. He also nodded as precedent to the case where J.D. Salinger stopped an unauthorized sequel to Catcher in the Rye.
Specifically, the judge said the label was likely to prevail on claims of breach of fiduciary duty, conversion, and unjust enrichment. Roc-A-Fella won’t have to put up a bond, but it will have to continue to fight as the parties will next debate whether the TRO becomes a preliminary injunction.
This article was originally published by The Hollywood Reporter.
Olivia Rodrigo returned to her seat on the Billboard Hot 100 throne when she released “Good 4 U” ahead of her blockbuster debut album Sour.
“Good 4 U” finds Rodrigo sarcastically wishing her ex well after he moved on very quickly in the scorching anthem, which she pairs with an equally explosive music video that pays homage to the 2009 horror flick Jennifer’s Body.
Check out the lyrics and music video below.
Well good for you, I guess you moved on really easily
You found a new girl and it only took a couple weeks
Remember when you said that you wanted to give me the world
And good for you, I guess that you’ve been working on yourself
I guess that therapist I found for you, she really helped
Now you can be a better man for your brand new girl
Well good for you
You look happy and healthy, not me
If you ever cared to ask
Good for you
You’re doing great out there without me, baby
God, I wish that I could do that
I’ve lost my mind
I’ve spent the night
Crying on the floor of my bathroom
But you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it
But I guess good for you
Well good for you, I guess you’re getting everything you want
You bought a new car and your career’s really taking off
It’s like we never even happened, baby
What the f— is up with that?
And good for you, it’s like you never even met me
Remember when you swore to God I was the only
Person who ever got you
Well, screw that and screw you
You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do
Well good for you
You look happy and healthy, not me
If you ever cared to ask
Good for you
You’re doing great out there without me, baby
God, I wish that I could do that
I’ve lost my mind
I’ve spent the night
Crying on the floor of my bathroom
But you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it
But I guess good for you
Ah, ah
Maybe I’m too emotional
But your apathy’s like a wound in salt
Maybe I’m too emotional
Or maybe you never cared at all
Maybe I’m too emotional
Your apathy’s like a wound in salt
Maybe I’m too emotional
Or maybe you never cared at all
Well good for you
You look happy and healthy, not me
If you ever cared to ask
Good for you
You’re doing great out there without me, baby
Like a damn sociopath
I’ve lost my mind
I’ve spent the night
Crying on the floor of my bathroom
But you’re so unaffected, I really don’t get it
But I guess good for you
Well good for you, I guess you moved on really easily
Lyrics licensed & provided by LyricFind
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Olivia Rodrigo, Daniel Nigro
Olivia Rodrigo let fans know over the weekend that she’s officially a high school graduate — which shines a light on just how much the singer/songwriter has accomplished at such a young age, including two No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Drivers License” and “Good 4 U.” And she’s hardly alone in that youthful success.
There are dozens of other artists who were 18 years old or younger when they hit No. 1 on the Hot 100, and there are even five other examples of pop stars who topped it twice before they were graduation age, including Brenda Lee (“I’m Sorry” and “I Want to Be Wanted”) who was just 15 when she scored back-to-back chart-toppers.
On the latest Billboard Pop Shop Podcast, Katie & Keith break down all these teenage hitmakers, including the very youngest 13-year-old (!) Hot 100 champs Little Stevie Wonder (“Fingertips – Pt 2″) and Donny Osmond (“Go Away Little Girl”). Listen below:
Also on the show, we’ve got chart news on Polo G, Migos, Bo Burnham, TWICE and Maroon 5 — and that’s just on the Billboard 200 albums chart! Plus, we have news about Taylor Swift announcing Red as her next re-recorded album and the Foo Fighters ushering in full-capacity live shows in both California and New York.
The Billboard Pop Shop Podcast is your one-stop shop for all things pop on Billboard’s weekly charts. You can always count on a lively discussion about the latest pop news, fun chart stats and stories, new music, and guest interviews with music stars and folks from the world of pop. Casual pop fans and chart junkies can hear Billboard’s deputy editor, digital, Katie Atkinson and senior director of Billboard charts Keith Caulfield every week on the podcast, which can be streamed on Billboard.com or downloaded in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast provider. (Click here to listen to the previous edition of the show on Billboard.com.)
Sometimes the experts can be wrong. Simon Cowell, with all his talent-spotting skills and countless hours observing performance and popular music, is proof of that.
On Tuesday night’s episode of America’s Got Talent, Cowell got it badly wrong.
Jimmie Herrod, a 30-year-old singer and online music tutor from Portland, Oregon, strolled to the stage, admitting a touch of nerves.
“I thought this would be the perfect time,” Herrod said of his decision to compete. “When opportunity presents itself you run towards it. I’m just excited to share what I have to offer.”
When Cowell heard that Herrod was planning to sing “Tomorrow” from Annie, the Brit sucked the energy out of the room. “That is my worst song in the world,” he explained. “You should do another song.” Ouch.
Herrod didn’t have another. He stuck to his guns and blew the judges away with his big-throated interpretation. He didn’t need another song.
With several theatrical peaks, Herrod’s “Tomorrow” was a huge hit with everyone in the room, including three of the four judges who stood to applaud.
“Wow wow wow. This isn’t my worst song anymore,” Cowell admitted, giving off the appearance of a man who’d been thunderstruck. “Unbelievable.”
Sofia Vergara was the only judge to not get out of her seat. “I must say, I didn’t like it that much,” she said, to a chorus of boos. It was all a set up. “I loved it,” she shouted as she slammed the golden buzzer.
Watch it all unfold below.
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It’s the last day to shop Amazon Prime Day deals, with deep discounts and special offers across Amazon.com until midnight June 22. We’ve spotted the lowest prices of the year on top-rated electronics, music gear and entertainment, all available exclusively for Amazon Prime members (get a 30-day free trial here).
What is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day is Amazon’s biggest shopping day of the year, with more than two million deals this year on top-rated tech toys, electronics, home goods, sneakers and clothing. Traditionally held in July (where it was known as “Christmas in July”), Prime Day 2021 is moved up a few weeks this year, taking place online at Amazon.com on June 21 and 22.
How to Shop Amazon Prime Day
In order to access all the Prime Day deals, you’ll need to be an Amazon Prime member. Don’t have Prime? Amazon is currently offering a 30-day free trial here. Get it now and use it to save big on Amazon Prime Day later this month.
What Are the Best Amazon Prime Day Deals?
We’ve rounded up some of the top Prime Day music and entertainment deals to shop right now. These deals are moving quickly so we recommend adding to cart to make sure you score what you want before items go out of stock. Keep refreshing this page too as we update it with the latest Prime Day music, tech and entertainment deals.
1. Apple AirPods Pro for $189 ($59 off)
Apple’s best-selling AirPods Pro are down to their lowest price ever on Prime Day. Regularly $249+, the AirPods Pro are discounted to just $187.99 right now. This deal gets you the famous white wireless earbuds with Active Noise Cancellation technology, plus a wireless charging case. Get the deal here.
2. Beats Studio3 Wireless Headphones for $199 (save $150)
Beats’ best-selling wireless headphones are a whopping $150 off for Prime Day. Six colors are on sale and it’s the cheapest price we’ve seen for these Studio headphones, which feature noise cancellation technology and 22 hours of battery life. Get the deal here.
3. Echo Dot for $24.99 (save $25)
If you don’t have an Echo Dot yet, this is your best time to get it. All of Amazon’s Alexa-enabled devices are on sale but the Echo Dot is the cheapest, at just $24. This deal gets you the Echo Dot speaker, which you pair with your phone to play music. You can also ask Alexa to check the weather, tell you the time, read you the news and more. Get the deal here.
4. JBL Tune True Wireless Earbuds for $69 ($30 off)
Get big sound and big bass from these tiny JBL earbuds. Each charge gets you five hours of playtime – get another 20 hours when you pop the buds into the included charging case. These are also some of the softest and most comfortable earbuds we’ve tested and the best pair of earbuds you can get under $100. Get the deal here.
5. Bose QuietComfort Noise-Cancelling Headphones for $249 ($100 off)
One of the top-rated headphones online, the Bose QuietComforts have a 4.7-star rating (out of five) from almost 50,000 reviews. They deliver exceptional audio quality, with ergonomic ear pads and up to 20 hours of battery life. Regularly $349.99+, they’re on sale for $100 off. Get the deal here.
6. Apple Watch 6 for $349 ($79 off)
Amazon has a number of Apple Watch Prime Day deals, but the best one is on the all-new Apple Watch 6. The Series 6 is still selling for its regular price of $429+ on Apple.com, but this Amazon Prime Day deal gets you the watch for just $349.99 — a $79 discount. Use the watch to track your fitness, sleep, heart rate and even blood oxygen level. You can also take calls and check messages from your wrist, while built-in GPS is great for runners and hikers. Get the deal here.
Want a cheaper Apple Watch Prime Day deal? The Apple Watch Series 3 is on sale right now for $199 — a $30 discount. Multiple colors are available. Get the deal here.
7. Sony HT-S350 Soundbar With Wireless Subwoofer for $198 ($82 off)
If you’re looking for a Prime Day soundbar deal, this is the one to get. This deal gets you a Sony soundbar and a wireless subwoofer that’s great for playing music or for amplifying your movies and TV shows. Built-in technology really brings out the bass, while “voice enhancement” helps to make dialogue more clear. Not sure where to start? Choose between seven pre-set settings depending on what you’re listening to or watching: Auto Sound, Cinema, Music, Game, News, Sports, and Standard Audio Mode. Get the deal here.
8. Fire HD 10 Tablet for $79.99 ($70 off)
The brand new model of Amazon’s tablet features a 1080p full HD display that is 10% brighter than previous releases, with more than 2 million pixels. The thin and light 10-inch screen is easy to travel with, and the tablet comes in four different colors. Get the deal here.
Prime Members can exclusively enjoy three months of the Disney streaming bundle – which includes Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu – with purchase of a Fire TV Stick (3rd gen), Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Cube, or qualifying Fire Tablet (Fire 7, Fire HD 8, all-new Fire HD 10). See the deals here.
9. Sony Extra Bass Waterproof Speakers for $79 ($20 off)
Get big bass and big sound from this Sony portable speaker, which is perfect to take with you to the beach, pool, park or campsite. A single charge gets you 12 hours of battery life, while the shock-proof and waterproof design holds up to all weather conditions. Everything pairs easily for your phone too for smooth, crisp music. Get the deal here.
10. Insignia 43-inch Smart 4K Fire TV for $219.99 ($100 off)
Connect any HD antenna (here’s one with a Prime Day deal) to watch live TV or stream movies and shows from Disney+, Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, Hulu and more streaming services from this 4K Ultra HD smart TV. It’s also compatible with Alexa. Get the deal here.
11. Fast & Furious Eight-Movie DVD Collection for $19.99 ($39.99 off)
With F9: The Fast Saga set to release on Friday (June 25), now is the perfect time to catch up on the rest of the Fast & Furious series, starring Vin Diesel, John Cena and more. The box set is available in DVD, 4K, Blu-Ray and Prime Video. Get the deal here, and check out the rest of the Prime Day box set deals here.
12. DR. J Professional Mini Projector Outdoor Movie Projector for $98.99 ($19.80 off)
Ready for an outdoor movie night? This mini projector supports 1080 resolutions, and comes with an 100″ Portable Projector Screen in the package. The DR.J projector is compatible with TV Box, ChromeBook, PCs, laptops, tablets, Blue-ray DVD players, SD cards, USB flash drives and smartphones. Get the deal here.
13. Wockoder Wireless Portable Turntable With Speakers for $49.99 ($12 off)
While there are plenty of turntable deals this Prime Day, Wockodor’s vintage style LP player is the best. The wireless turntable has three listening speeds (33-1/3, 45 and 78 RPM) and is capable of playing three record sizes (7”, 10” and 12”) for the ultimate, versatile listening experience. The turntable base is also equipped with a spring to provide shock absorption and improve sound quality. Get the deal here.
14. Daybetter Smart RGB LED Strip Lights for $16.78 ($11.21 off)
This 50-foot Bluetooth LED strip lights support both APP and 24Keys IR remote control, which allows users to change lights color easily and set the perfect mood in any room. The LED lights also have a bulit-in microphone and can sync to music. Get the deal here.
15. Urbanears Alby Wireless Earbuds Just $49.99 (save $20)
A great AirPods alternative, these true wireless earbuds deliver big sound from a small package. Get up to 15 hours of playtime with the included charging case. The set comes with three sizes of ear tips too so you find the best fit. Choose from three other colors if white isn’t your thing. Get the deal here.
The Best Non-Tech Amazon Prime Day Deals
Looking for non-electronics Amazon Prime Day deals? Expect the biggest discounts on shoes, bags and clothing from the retailer’s in-house fashion brands, and top names like Levi’s. This year’s Prime Day deals also include sales on Nike and Adidas sneakers. The Adidas Prime Day deals have sneakers and running shoes starting at just $40 right now.
Amazon’s music streaming service is also offering a huge Prime Day Deal: Prime members can get Amazon Music Unlimited free for four months, with unlimited access to more than 70 million songs ad-free and millions of podcast episodes. In addition, with the purchase of select Amazon Echo devices, Prime members new to Amazon Music Unlimited can get six months free.
Looking for e-books? Amazon’s early Prime Day deal gets you discounts on select Kindle books, including top musician biographies and memoirs.
Prefer audiobooks? Amazon’s Prime Day Audible deal gets you 50% off the first four months of Audible Premium Plus, at $6.95 a month. Membership includes hundreds of new releases and best sellers, plus unlimited listening to thousands of select Originals, audiobooks, podcasts, and more.
See all the current Prime Day deals on Amazon.com and sign-up for a 30-day free trial here to Amazon Prime to get instant access to even more offers online.
A Black farmer with ties to doing business in Florida will be at the head of the line for a long-awaited batch of medical-marijuana licenses in an application process that … Click to Continue »
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The Small Business Administration (SBA) has ramped up its efforts to award Shuttered Venue Operators Grants (SVOG) program funds to independent venue owners and promoters who lost the majority of their income in 2020. As of midday Monday (June 21), 1,445 applicants have received award notices for funds from the federal relief program that was signed into law on Dec. 27.
In the last week alone, the SBA has sent out roughly 1,000 notices of awards — more than double the amount the administration provided in the 26 days since it began sending out award notices on May 26.
Of those awards, so far live venue operators and promoters have received 677 grants; performing arts organizations and talent representatives have received 232 and 186, respectively. According to the SBA, at least 5,004 live music venues and promoters have applied for a grant, which means roughly 13.5% have received award notices. In recent weeks, the SVOG program within the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance has brought on the team that quickly rolled out the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which opened in May.
Among the program’s award recipients so far are promoter Nederlander Concerts, which received $10 million; festival producer Danny Wimmer Presents, which received $9.4 million; and Colorado agency Madison House, which received $1.8 million. Southern California venue owner Lance Sterling of Sterling Venue Ventures received an award notice of more than $7 million on Friday — three days after his Canyon Club venue in Agoura Hills hosted a Foo Fighters underplay.
“I get nervous for people to see that [we were awarded $7 million] because they don’t know that I owe $11.8 million,” he says. “Even with that award sounding so big, each venue is a million dollars more than that in debt.” Sterling adds that he has not yet received the money in his bank account.
Among the venues on the list of awardees that Billboard contacted, none were able to confirm that they have received the SVOG funds. According to Sterling, the SBA told him the “first payment” would arrive in July or August.
“I think [the SBA] is trying to under promise and over deliver because I think what happened was they over promised and obviously we’re getting beaten up,” says Sterling, referencing a myriad delays that have slowed the federal grants’ distribution. The SBA took nearly four months to open applications for the grants and when it finally launched on April 8 the portal crashed. Venues had to wait another 18 days before it relaunched. It took an additional month before award notices began rolling out on May 26 and the SBA missed its two-week deadline to provide grants to Priority 1 businesses or those who lost 90% or more of their revenue in 2020.
Dalton Gerlach, owner of the Lodge Room in Los Angeles, tells Billboard that the venue’s $1.65 million award notice also came in on Friday, which also marked the day the L.A. establishment reopened with a show from Mndsgn.
“We haven’t gotten the money, but since April I’ve been like, ‘Gosh, is this really gonna happen?’” says Gerlach. “At this point, I can’t say anything poorly about the SBA. It looks like it worked.”
The list of awards also includes $9.5 million for Nashville’s Outback Presents, $2.4 million for Dallas’ Kessler Entertainment Group, $8 million for Seattle Theatre Group and $10 million for Madison’s NS2.
While Billboard has not been able to confirm funds in accounts for this latest round of recipients, there are venues that have their money. The Palace Theatre in Albany, New York, was one of the first venues to receive an approval notice on May 27, only one day after SBA Administrator Isabell Guzman testified before Congress that awards were rolling out. According to Palace Theatre director of finance Julia Elbaum, the venue received the funds in its account on June 4 — eight days after receiving its award notification.
“I’ll believe it when I see it, but [I’m] so relieved of course,” adds Gerlach. “It’s really just like some wind in the sails to be like, ‘Okay.’”
Additional reporting by Chris Eggersten.
