Hot Chip and Sleaford Mods Unite for War Child Benefit Single

U.K. groups Hot Chip and Sleaford Mods have combine their vastly-different musical styles to craft two songs as part of a benefit single for the War Child charity.

The two tracks – titled “Nom Nom Nom” and “Cat Burglar” – were recorded at the iconic Abbey Road Studios and have been pressed to 7″ vinyl, packaged with artwork from English artist David Shrigley.

All proceeds from the sale of the single will go to War Child, which works to improve the psychosocial wellbeing of children affected by conflict.

The collaboration came about as part of Abbey Road’s Lock-In series, which the studio says is “designed to illuminate the musical creative experience, offering a window into an otherwise closed process”. For its latest Lock-In, Londoners Hot Chip invited Nottingham duo Sleaford Mods into the studio for a collaboration which has since been nicknamed ‘Hot Mods’.

“Making these songs over the course of one day at Abbey Road was a great experience,” Hot Chip said of the pairing. “We arrived without a plan but quickly began working together in a harmonious way, with lots of improvisation and very little ego. We are very grateful to Sleaford Mods for joining us and very proud of the result.”

“On the day we went in cold and just handed ourselves over to it,” added Sleaford Mods’ Jason Williamson. “‘Nom Nom Nom’ is a lyrical continuation from our album UK GRIM over Andrew’s keyboard riff, built on by Hot Chip and finishing up with an excellent chorus from Alexis.

“’Cat Burglar’ is a weird prog rock meets B-52s jam that explores the narrow corridors of modern human experience.”

As Williamson indicated, Sleaford Mods last released an album by way of 2023’s UK Grim. The record became the highest-charting of their career, reaching No. 3 on the U.K. chart. Similarly, Hot Chip’s latest effort was 2022’s Freakout/Release, which peaked at No. 16 in their homeland.

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Handwritten Letter from John Lennon to Eric Clapton Heading to Auction

A handwritten letter which sees John Lennon pitching a new band to Eric Clapton is going under the auctioneer’s hammer.

The eight-page letter, which is dated Sept. 29, 1971, is a draft of the final version which was sent to Clapton that same year. Helmed by International Autograph Auctions Europe SL, the missive will go to auction on Dec. 5 for an expected sale of €100,000 – €150,000 (approximately $104,000 – $157,000), with bidding registrations open now.

The contents of the letter show the beginnings of what could have been an interesting chapter in the story of rock music, with Lennon asking Clapton to form a new band.

“You must know by now that Yoko and I rate your music and yourself very highly, always have,” the letter begins. As Lennon continues, he touches on Clapton’s then-current dark period, which was marred by heroin addiction and a retreat from public appearances.

“Eric, I know I can bring out something great, in fact greater in you that had been so far evident in your music,” Lennon adds. “I hope to bring out the same kind of greatness in all of us, which I know will happen if/when we get together.”

The letter ultimately pitches the idea of Clapton performing as part of the prospective band, which would have included previous Plastic Ono Band members Klaus Voorman, Jim Keltner, Nicky Hopkins, and Phil Spector. “And of course we had YOU!!! in mind as soon as we decided,” it continues.

By the time of the letter’s writing, Clapton had previously performed as part of the Plastic Ono Band, appearing as part of the iterations of the group that existed between September and December 1969.

“Please don’t be frightened, I understand paranoia, only too well,” Lennon adds to the expectedly-hesitant at the close of his letter. “I think it could only do good for you to work with people who love and respect you, and that’s from all of us.”

Ultimately, Clapton would turn down Lennon’s offer of joining the nascent band of “superstars”.

The draft of the letter also includes numerous corrections and edits, though it’s unknown what the final version that was sent to Clapton looked like. This isn’t the first time the letter has gone up for sale, however, with a 2012 auction expecting the item to sell for a total of $30,000.

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The Chills’ Frontman Martin Phillipps Honored with Posthumous Album

Months after the passing of New Zealand musician Martin Phillipps, the late frontman of the Chills is to be remembered with a newly-announced posthumous album.

The record, titled Spring Board: The Early Unrecorded Songs, will be released under the Chills moniker on Feb. 28, 2025 through Fire Records, and is in fact the product of many years of hard work from Phillipps himself.

Alongside his work as a member of the Chills, Phillipps had spent the final years of his life trawling through his archives, rediscovering many “easy songs and musings” which were revisited and revised ahead of being collected on Spring Board. Described as a “dedicated reimagining of his earlier unreleased songs that became his artistic farewell”, the record has received the blessing of his band, family and friends.

“The album seemed like an easy option,” Phillipps was quoted as saying. “All of the songs needed varying degrees of rewriting; a 60-year old man couldn’t just stick to the lyrics of those formative years. And some of the songs were just vague recollections, incomplete, only blossoming during recording.”

Alongside his Chills bandmates – including Oli Wilson, Erica Scally, Callum Hampton and Todd Knudson – the record also features appearances from appearances from Fur Patrol’s Julia Deans, Shona Laing, and Neil Finn of Crowded House and Split Enz fame.

Phillipps passed away unexpectedly in July at his home in Dunedin, on New Zealand’s south island. He had played what was called “an integral part” of the university town’s scene in the 1980s, and of Roger Shepherd‘s Flying Nun Records family, whose roster would include the Clean, the D4, Headless Chickens and Tall Dwarfs, Chris Knox, Straitjacket Fits and the Verlaines.

Following a lengthy hiatus, Philipps reactivated the Chills in 2013, with a number of new albums following, supported by a run of domestic and international tours. Their most recent LP, 2021’s Scatterbrain, would reach No. 4 on the New Zealand Albums Chart – their highest placing in close to 30 years.

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Flavor Flav Wants You to Remember Your Sober Friends This Holiday Season: Here Are 5 Non-Alcoholic Beverages to Shop

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Toasting to the holidays usually means throwing back a few adult beverages, but Flavor Flav wants you to remember your sober friends and family this holiday season.  

“Note for the upcoming holiday season, some of us are on a sobriety journey and mocktails or non-alcoholic beer options make a big difference,” Flav wrote on X on Tuesday (Nov. 26).

Flav, 65, celebrated four years of sobriety last month, and he’s not the only musician on a sober journey. Travis Barker, Demi Lovato, Stevie Nicks, Elton John, Ringo Starr and Jack Harlow are some of the celebrities who have spoken up about sobriety.

In the spirit of all things merry, we’ve rounded up five of the best non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy for the holidays, Dry January and beyond. See below for a list of mocktails, non-alcoholic beer and other zero-proof tonics.

Flavor Flavor Holiday Reminder on Non-Alcoholic Beers, Mocktails: Buy

De Soi Golden Hour

$17 $20 15% off

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Cheers to Golden Hour! This booze-free beverage features warm notes of citrus, lemongrass and leafy herbs.

Katy Perry and Morgan McLachlan co-created De Soi, a sparkling line of non-alcoholic apéritifs. The drink line includes Italian-style spritzes, rose, red wine alternatives and other beverages made with natural ingredients such as lemon balm and L-theanine derived from green tea, black currant, tart cherry, vanilla, citrus, crisp white grape gentian root and other botanicals known to “enhance focus and promote relaxation” according to the product description.  

Flavor Flavor Holiday Reminder on Non-Alcoholic Beers, Mocktails: Buy

Heineken 0.0 Non-Alcoholic

$10.49

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Non-alcoholic beer might be easier to find from well know brands such as Heineken.

The brand’s alcohol-free, Heineken Zero tastes surprisingly similar to the real thing (and only 69 calories). Samuel Adams, Budweiser and Corona are a few other popular brands that have released non-alcoholic beer.

Flavor Flavor Holiday Reminder on Non-Alcoholic Beers, Mocktails: Buy

The Alchemist’s Selection

$129 $144 10% off

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A little bit of everything! The Alchemist’s Selection has four, non-alcoholic elixirs channeling different moods. Livener is an energizing beverage, Social is a “floaty” herbal drink, Sharp is a non-alcoholic wine alternative and Nightcap is “calming, woody and mellow.”

Three Spirit describes its process as “botanical alchemy” –  a focus on what goes inside the drinks versus what’s missing. Created by bartenders, Three Spirits’ award-winning, non-alcoholic beverages feature plant-based ingredients such as lion’s mane, damiana, Schisandra, lemon balm, California poppy, cacao, clary sage, valerian root, turmeric and guava leaf.

Flavor Flavor Holiday Reminder on Non-Alcoholic Beers, Mocktails: Buy

Recess Zero Proof Craft Mocktails, Alcohol Free Drinks (Happy Hour Sampler, 12oz, Pack of 12)

$41.88

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From lime margarita to a classic cosmo, island spritz and grapefruit paloma, Recess is taking care of happy.

Choose your mocktail! Recess offers a selection of classic mocktails made with natural ingredients to help you wind down.

Flavor Flavor Holiday Reminder on Non-Alcoholic Beers, Mocktails: Buy

Mingle Cocktails Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa (12 Pack)

$38.95

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Ready to Mingle? This citrusy mocktail makes a nice alternative to champagne.

Mingle Mocktails features all natural, plant-based, gluten-free ingredients and yummy concoctions such as Key Lime Margarita, Cranberry Cosmo, Blackberry Hibiscus Bellini, Cucumber Melon Mojito and Blood Orange Elderflower Mimosa.

Now that we have the drink menu covered, it’s time to start shopping for holiday gifts. Need some inspiration? Check out the Shop 100.

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Billy Corgan’s Stepmom Thinks Bill Burr Is His Half-Brother

Billy Corgan and Bill Burr sure look alike, don’t they? The Smashing Pumpkins star’s stepmother thinks that’s no coincidence.

During an appearance on Howie Mandel’s Howie Mandel Does Stuff podcast, Corgan shared a hilarious story after Mandel mistakenly put up an image of Burr behind him. Corgan explained that it’s not the first time someone has pointed out the resemblance. “About 10 years ago, one of my brothers was having a birthday party, and my stepmother was there, who was obviously married to my father. And my stepmother said to me, ‘Do you know who Bill Burr is?,’” the musician recalled. “Now at that point, I had never heard of Bill Burr; I didn’t know who he was. I didn’t know he was a comedian or anything. He could have been the guy down the street.”

He continued, “She said, ‘Well, he’s this comedian.’ And I think I even somehow called up a picture on the phone, and I kind of noticed right away, ‘Gee, he kind of looks like my father.’ Bill Burr looks more like my father than Bill Burr looks like me or I look like Bill Burr. So I said to my mother, ‘Why are you asking me this?’”

While Corgan initially thought that his stepmother was simply pointing out the resemblance, she went even further. “She goes, ‘I think it might be one of your father’s illegitimate children. Bill Burr might be one of the children that your father sired in his days being a traveling musician,’” he said. “This is a true story. I’m not making this up; there is no joke in this.”

While Corgan clarified that he didn’t think he and Burr are actually half-brothers, it’s funny to think about. Watch him recall the full story here.

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Signed: Royel Otis Heads to Capitol Via Label Partnership, Mass Appeal Enters Pakistan

Royel Otis, the Australian duo that recently earned its first Billboard Hot 100 entry with a viral cover of The Cranberries’ “Linger,” is now in the Capitol Records system after the band’s independent label, Ourness, struck a partnership with the U.S. label to supercharge the success of the duo worldwide. According to a press release, Royel Otis has racked up more than half a billion streams to date. Other successful tracks for the duo include “Sofa King” and a cover of Sophie Ellis-Bextor’s “Murder on the Dancefloor.”

Hip-hop label Mass Appeal Records, co-founded by Nas, moved into Pakistan with the signing of two of the country’s biggest stars — Talha Anjum and Umair — along with emerging artists JANI, Maanu and Blal Bloch. Mass Appeal’s entry into Pakistan follows its previous expansion into India, where it’s partnered with artists including DIVIE, AP Dhillon and Karan Aujla.

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R&B star Omarion partnered with Jeanine McLean and Jeff Robinson at MBK Entertainment, which has guided the careers of Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Elle Varner, SWV, Tyrese and more. According to a press release, the singer has “a bevy of projects in the pipeline” and is slated to co-headline The Millennium 2025 Tour also featuring artists including Trey Songz and Rick Ross.

Anthony Martini and Rich Barner‘s Gravel Road Music Group signed singer Willie Jones, known for blending country, hip-hop and soul. Jones has a forthcoming project slated for release early next year.

Warner Music Nashville and Warner Records signed Adrien Nunez to the roster. The Brooklyn native recently released his major label debut, “Apology Song,” which blends country, pop and hip-hop elements. He is managed by Dillon Goldberg at FNGRPRNT and booked by Braeden Rountree at WME. – Jessica Nicholson

Capitol Christian Music Group and Motown Gospel partnered with singer Annatoria to release her upcoming Christmas EP, Present Jesu. Additionally, Motown Gospel finalized a partnership with JJ Hairston‘s JamesTown Music, through which it will release a 25th-anniversary live recording of JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise — an album featuring reimagined versions of the choir’s songs.

Provident Entertainment added singer-songwriter Megan Danielle to its roster. The 2023 American Idol runner-up has released her label debut single “When I Found You.” Danielle is managed by Hsquared Management and booked through the Jeff Roberts Agency. – Jessica Nicholson

Big Machine Records signed Jack Wharff & The Tobacco Flatts, a group with Virginia origins that blends bluegrass, country and rock. The group, which features musicians Jack Wharff, Garrett Howell, Ryan Atchison and Evan Novoa, recently released its new single, “Picture Perfect.” Big Machine Records’ roster also includes Tim McGraw, Carly Pearce and Midland. – Jessica Nicholson

Cloakroom signed to Closed Casket, which will release the band’s new single, “Unbelonging,” with a full album coming next year. The group is booked by Geoff McGovern at Ground Control Touring.

YawnyBlew and amir. partnered with ALIBI Music to release their second album, Bouncy ‘n’ Pretty. The album follows their debut project, DREAMBIIG, a collection of songs crafted specifically for synch and licensing. YawnyBlew has enjoyed synch placements in Empire, Queer as Folk, Chucky and The Sex Lives of College Girls. amir. is a photographer and creative director who pivoted to the role of artist and producer during the pandemic.

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Chace Releases New ‘Tunnel Vision’ Single & Video

Chace’s brand-new single “Tunnel Vision” was officially released on Tuesday (Nov. 26), marking his first step into the spotlight as a pop artist and the culmination of two years of preparation.

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For Chace, this is not only an exploration of musical styles, but also a significant milestone in his career. Born in 1998 into a musical family in Jiangsu, China, Chace (Zhu Yihan) received professional training in jazz drums and piano from an early age, showcasing extraordinary talent in music. He began producing music at the age of 9 and signed with a Dutch record label at 16, launching his career as a professional musician.

In 2016, he made his debut at Belgium’s Tomorrowland and, in 2017, became the first Chinese artist to perform on Tomorrowland’s main stage, forever changing the presence of Chinese artists on the global music scene. Since then, he has continued to shine as a DJ and producer at top-tier international music festivals such as EDC, Ultra and Creamfields. In 2024, Chace became the first Chinese artist to sign with one of North America’s major record labels, BMG, further showcasing his ability to transcend genres and boundaries with “Tunnel Vision.”

“Tunnel Vision” is a nostalgic pop electronic track, a tribute to Chace’s musical idol Michael Jackson. The song evokes memories of the golden 1980s, blending distinct rhythms and melodies with an infectious dance groove. Its polished production highlights Chace’s exceptional skills as a producer.

The music video for “Tunnel Vision” is equally innovative, directed and edited by Chace himself. Filmed entirely using an iPhone, it tells an eccentric story set three minutes before a train’s arrival. With its narrative charm, action sequences and high-speed shots, the music video delivers a visually compelling experience, pushing creative boundaries and demonstrating Chace’s burgeoning talent as a filmmaker.

“Tunnel Vision” is now available worldwide, but this is just the beginning of Chace’s musical journey. With more exciting projects on the horizon, he is poised to bring fresh, innovative works to his global audience.

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Marilyn Manson Drops Defamation Lawsuit Against Evan Rachel Wood

Marilyn Manson has dropped his defamation lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood and agreed to pay her $327,000 in legal fees, according to legal documents obtained by Billboard, officially ending a case that the shock rocker first lodged against his former girlfriend more than two and a half years ago.

Filed in March 2022, the lawsuit accused Wood of conspiring with another woman, Ashley Gore, to falsely portray Manson (real name Brian Warner) as a “rapist and abuser” in the public eye. Both women appeared in the 2022 documentary Phoenix Rising, in which Wood detailed her accusations of sexual abuse against the singer. The lawsuit claimed that both women “secretly recruited, coordinated, and pressured prospective accusers to emerge simultaneously with allegations of rape and abuse against Manson, and brazenly claim that it took 10 or more years to ‘realize’ their consensual relationships with Warner were supposedly abusive.”

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But Manson’s lawsuit suffered a major blow in May 2023 after a judge largely sided with Wood in her move to have it thrown out by invoking California’s anti-SLAPP statute, which makes it easier for judges to dismiss cases that threaten free speech. In that ruling, the judge struck down much of Manson’s case after finding that the rocker had not shown he would ultimately be able to prove many of his accusations against Wood. Manson had appealed that decision this past August.

“Marilyn Manson — whose real name is Brian Warner — filed a lawsuit against Ms. Wood as a publicity stunt to try to undermine the credibility of his many accusers and revive his faltering career,” Wood’s lawyer Michael J. Kump said in a statement sent to Billboard. “But his attempt to silence and intimidate Ms. Wood failed. As the trial court correctly found, Warner’s claims were meritless. Warner’s decision to finally abandon his lawsuit and pay Ms. Wood her full fee award of almost $327,000 only confirms as much.”

In his own statement, Manson’s attorney Howard King said, “After 4 years of fighting a battle where he was able to tell the truth, Brian is pleased to dismiss his still-pending claims and appeal in order to close the door on this chapter of his life.”

The public battle between Manson and Wood kicked off in February 2021, when Wood claimed in an Instagram post that Manson “started grooming me when I was a teenager and horrifically abused me for years.” In addition to Wood’s accusations, Manson has been hit with multiple sexual misconduct lawsuits over the last several years from women including former assistant Ashley Walters, model Ashley Morgan Smithline, Game of Thrones actress Esme Bianco and two Jane Doe accusers.

The majority of these cases are no longer active. In May 2022, a judge dismissed Walters’ lawsuit, citing the statute of limitations. Manson subsequently settled with both Bianco and one of the Jane Doe accusers, while Smithline recanted her allegations and claimed that Wood and others had “manipulated” her into bringing them.

Manson has denied all of the allegations against him.

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U2 Have Been Making ‘Sci-Fi Irish Folk Music’ With Brian Eno

U2’s next album could be something of another sonic left turn, if comments from founding guitarist The Edge are to be believed.

The veteran guitarist spoke to BBC Radio 2‘s Jo Whiley on Monday (Nov. 25) to discuss the recent release of How to Re-Assemble an Atomic Bomb, a 20th anniversary collection of unreleased tracks and rarities from the band’s 2004 album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.

During the discussion, The Edge turned his attention to recent creative endeavors from the Irish outfit, explaining that he and frontman Bono and had recently in the studio with ambient pioneer (and previous collaborator) Brian Eno, working on some “crazy new music”.

“Bono and I are working on some crazy kind of sci-fi Irish folk music,” he explained. “Which could end up becoming a part of the new U2 album. We’re not sure yet, we’ll see.”

“Part of our kind of process is to go so widely away from, off track, and the sort of the process of bringing things back on track is kind of how you get sort of unique sounding music.”

Adding that “a bunch [of] beautiful, Irish musicians” could also be involved in the process, the guitarist’s comments indicate a vast change in the band’s sound when compared to what has come recently. Their latest album of new material, Songs of Experience, arrived in 2017, with 2023’s Songs of Surrender arriving as a follow-up despite consisting of new recordings of previously-released songs.

However, in 2023, Bono explained that a “noisy, uncompromising, unreasonable” rock album would be their next project, ostensibly replacing the apparently-shelved Songs of Ascent, which had been teased for more than a decade.

“I don’t think the world is waiting on the next U2 album,” Bono told Mojo. “I think we have to give them a reason to be interested in it. I just want to write great tunes because that’s where U2 started – with big choruses, clear ideas. And let’s go back there, but do it with some petrol and some matches.”

Elsewhere in his discussion with the BBC, The Edge also turned his attention to the return of drummer Larry Mullen Jr., who missed U2’s 40-date residency at Sphere in Las Vegas from 2023 to 2024 while recovering from surgery.

“We’re at that great phase where we don’t have to overthink it, we’re just making music and loving that process,” The Edge noted. “And then we’ll figure out where things belong afterwards so there’s a couple of different projects.

“Definitely U2, with Larry which is wonderful, we’ve got him in the studio,” he continues. “He’s good, he’s taking it easy but he’s back in the saddle on the drums still doing some recording with us and so we’ll be doing a bit more of that before the end of the year.”

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Dan Rosen Expands Role to President, Records And Publishing, Australasia at Warner Music Group

Warner Music Group’s Australasian head has expanded his role, the company has announced.

Dan Rosen, who currently serves as President of Warner Music Australasia, has now expanded his role to encompass Warner Chappell Music, lengthening his job title to President, Records And Publishing, Australasia.

Per a press release, the move underscores WMG’s commitment to creating a “new, all-encompassing home for artists and songwriters in Australasia” while still preserving each division’s distinct identities.

As part of his expanded role, Rosen will report to both Guy Moot, Co-Chair and CEO of Warner Chappell Music, and Simon Robson, President of EMEA, Recorded Music, WMG, who is currently also overseeing the recorded music business in APAC.

Rosen, who himself began in the music industry on the artistic side as a founding member of the band Second Dan, is described by WMG as an “executive with an outstanding skillset, flexible approach and natural curiosity”. Alongside his intimate knowledge of the publishing business, his newly expanded role will see him growing Warner Chappell Music Australasia’s business as he fosters “a new level of collaboration between the two divisions, and create new opportunities for both artists and songwriters”.

“I am incredibly excited to take on this expanded role and it is a privilege to passionately and innovatively serve our incredible roster of recording artists and songwriters,” Rosen said of his expanded position. “We are building a truly unique creative powerhouse for the music community in Australasia, by fostering an environment where artists and songwriters are celebrated and empowered to elevate their work to new heights both locally and globally.

“The rosters of songwriters at Warner Chappell Music is exceptional, and I look forward to expanding its repertoire and reach across Australasia, positioning it for exciting new growth and opportunities.”

Outside of music, Rosen is also a qualified lawyer and policy expert who previously served as a senior advisor to the Australian Government and pursued post-graduate studies on a Fulbright Scholarship at New York University. Returning to Australia in 2010, Dan served as CEO of the Australian recording industry’s peak bodies ARIA and PPCA.

Taking on the role of Warner Music Australasia President in 2021, his tenure at the company has resulted in significant growth in its domestic and international revenues. Alongside deals with names such as Brad Cox and James Johnson, and championing the careers of Budjerah, Kita Alexander and Oliver Cronin, Rosen has also showcases his dedication to breaking international acts such as Benson Boone, Charli XCX, Fred again.. and Teddy Swims within the region.

His work as a prominent industry figure has also seen Rosen named on Billboard’s prestigious International Power Players List for three consecutively across 2022, 2023, and 2024.

“Dan’s passion for music, his deep understanding of the industry and his experience across law, policy and artist advocacy, as well as his career as a songwriter, give him a unique skill set to lead both strong, distinctive divisions of recorded music and publishing,” Moot added in a statement.

“The Australasian music industry is both dynamic and diverse, and over the last few years we’ve worked hard to grow a frontline roster from scratch – I’m delighted Dan will be building on this with his holistic vision for the region.”

“Dan has been an exceptional leader for Warner Music Australasia, constantly pushing the envelope and championing the careers of artists and songwriters,” echoed Robson. “This expanded role will enable him to strengthen our entire proposition in the region and set a new standard for how we serve the creative community.”

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