Radio and Music Industry News

The Industry Dot Biz: Capitol Music Group (CMG) has signed a multi-year, worldwide agreement with the newly-formed Evolve Music Group (EMG) that establishes a partnership between the companies to create, market and promote a slate of releases overseen by EMG Chairman and CEO Rodney Jerkins and his executive team. The multi-Grammy Award-winning producer, songwriter and music executive will base Evolve's operations at CMG's iconic Capitol Records Tower in Hollywood. The announcement was made today by Jerkins and CMG Chairman and CEO Steve Barnett.Barnett commented, "Rodney is a highly-respected and multi-faceted talent; he's a great producer and songwriter, of course, but he also possesses a keen eye for talent and a great vision for what he wants to accomplish with Evolve. Everyone within CMG is excited about Rodney and his team joining our family, and we're all going to accomplish great things together."According to Jerkins, "I'm excited for this partnership, and am confident that Evolve Music Group will play a major role in the future of our industry. Steve Barnett is a great visionary and has incredible instincts for our business and culture. I'm looking forward to evolving musically and creatively here at Capitol."Initial Evolve artists include soul chanteuse Keta, R&B/Pop artist Evan Ross and YouTube sensation Sara Forsberg. The company will also sign and develop artists in the spiritual music genres through its Evolve Inspirational imprint that will be distributed through CMG's Nashville-based Capitol Christian Music Group. The first artists signed to Evolve Inspirational include Joy Enriquez and Tim Bowman, Jr.

J. Cole has announced actor, rapper, singer and songwriter Jaden Smith will join his highly anticipated North American KOD Tour as support, as well as Dreamville artist Earthgang and rapper Kill Edward. The new acts join previously announced special guest Young Thug for one of the can’t miss tours of the year, kicking off August 9 in Miami, FL.Produced by Live Nation, the tour will also make stops in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles and more, before wrapping in Boston, MA on October 10.

The Industry Dot Biz: Mega film, television and music star, T.I. joins media, music, fashion & entertainment mogul and philanthropist, Russell Simmons in a creative partnership with greenROKS, a youth oriented entertainment company. greenROKS is a multi-media platform fusing music, story-telling and technology while developing a brave new world of cool content that drives today's youth to be more conscious of relevant topics in the world. The partnership will launch this Spring, first, with a series including mobile gaming, music and other multimedia platforms.This marks one of the most unique, innovative collaborations in pop and youth culture, boasting an all-star team of executives with unparalleled expertise in gaming, technology, fashion, music, television, multi-media and pop culture. The greenROKS purpose is to develop nuanced projects, including mobile, video and animation that will engage and entertain, while educating youth on relevant health, environmental, social matters and family-focused issues.Simmons shares, digital media are the most important reference points for today's youth culture. We are excited to add T.I. to this partnership and believe he will complement our executive team perfectly." "Entertainment is what resonates quickest with youth, which today means online and mobile activities and it will continue to be the driving force to reach youth worldwide in the future. Technology andresonates with today's youth while inspiring and educating."T.I. also shares his excitement about the partnership, "To be able to team up with Russell, who has been a pioneer in youth culture for decades and greenROKS in creating groundbreaking, youth focused entertainment content was a no-brainer to me. This will allow young people to exercise their creative muscles by combining storytelling, music, math and science to enhance the user experience."Natalia Weissman, Co-Founder and Chief Creative Officer of greenROKS, shares the overall vision of their creative group. "Our team is hard at work producing and preparing to launch an incredible series of educational and entertaining properties." She adds, "We couldn't ask for better partners in Russell and T.I. who are both respected influencers of pop culture. We are truly only limited by our imagination."The greenROKS collective has found a way to organically engage and entertain, while also challenging youth culture on larger global issues. With an impressive string of projects and digital platforms slated for rollout this year, the multimedia company is atop of a coveted list of tech companies to watch.greenROKS is expected to announce several new technologies and entertainment projects for Spring 2014.

A rendering of the new location for HT’s Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation on Springdale Rd. at the Center for Social InnovationAUSTIN — Each...

The Industry Dot Biz: Timbaland and his new artist and Empire star,V. Bozeman sat down with Revolt TV to discuss his new project "Opera Noire." In the quick interview, Timbo and Bozeman express that music has lost its feeling. They want to bring pain, soul, and emotion back to music and reduce some of the computer generated sounds that dominate radio today. Do they have a point? Have artists abandoned soul music? Check out the clip and weigh-in.https://youtu.be/rp2YagKavGg

CD Baby is about to host it's first music conference and guess what? It's not $350; it's not $250; and to continue sounding like one of those crazy late night infomercials, it's only $49! It's also hosted in Chicago, which is a nice change of events. Chicago is a great city but not really known as a place where music conferences are the talk of the town. Although, Chicago does seem to be a hot bed for talented artists  right now. [...]

LiveXLive And Afro Nation Launch Exclusive Content And Distribution Partnership

LiveXLive and Afro Nation bring African artists to a global audience with August livestream of festival headlined by Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy

LiveXLive Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: LIVX) ("LiveXLive"), a global digital media company focused on live entertainment, today announced that it has partnered with festival organizer Afro Nation. A global content and distribution agreement which grants LiveXLive exclusive livestreaming, video, video-on-demand, virtual reality, mobile, theatrical, and television rights, the partnership launches with a livestream of the debut Afro Nation festival, taking place August 1st through 4th on the beaches of Algarve, Portugal.Afro Nation was created by Adesegun Adeosun Jr. (also known as SMADE), and his partner, Obi Asika, to bring African culture to a worldwide audience and unify Africans in the diaspora. More than 90% of the artists performing at the festival are African. Headlined by Wizkid, Davido, and Burna Boy, the inaugural Afro Nation festival sold out in less than 36 hours."One of our key aims is to create more live platforms where artists of African origin have an opportunity to headline and take centre stage," Asika said. "Afrobeats, Reggae and Dancehall are made for the sunshine, so it's fitting Afro Nation has found its home on the beaches of Portugal. We strive to deliver world class production, facilities, service & entertainment to our customers.""Partnering with Afro Nation to distribute this amazing music and content globally aligns perfectly with LiveXLive's central goal of connecting people and cultures through music," said Robert Ellin, Chairman and CEO of LiveXLive. "As a live social music platform, LiveXLive brings music fans all over the world together, and we're thrilled that we can be a part of the Afro Nation mission."In addition to performances, artist interviews, and backstage exclusives, LiveXLive will stream on-the-ground content that captures the spirit and the culture of the festival. The livestream can be viewed between August 1st and 4th on LiveXLive apps and websites, as well as on streaming partners including Twitch, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter; the schedule will be announced prior to the start of the festival on www.livexlive.com and on LiveXLive's social handles and apps.A next generation live social music platform, LiveXLive has globally livestreamed premiere music festivals from all over the world, producing in excess of 360 hours of original content that features more than 440 artists since May 2018. In addition, the company has developed a slate of original programming that includes more than 300 pieces of short-form content comprised of live performances, podcasts, artist interviews, lifestyle segments, and show pilots.

Netflix’s rousing period epic will open the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday, September 6 Photo

Credit: Courtesy of Netflix TORONTO — TIFF announced today that the World Premiere of Outlaw King , David Mackenzie’s anticipated period drama chronicling the rise of 14th-century Scottish hero Robert the Bruce, will be the Opening Night Gala Presentation for the 43rd Toronto International Film Festival ® on Thursday, September 6, at Roy Thomson Hall.This epic David-versus-Goliath tale reunites award-winning director David Mackenzie ( Starred Up , Young Adam) with his Hell or High Water actor Chris Pine, who takes on the starring role of the legendary Scottish king who leads a band of outlaws to reclaim the throne from the clutches of the English crown and its army. The film also stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Florence Pugh, and Billy Howle. “TIFF’s Opening Night Film, Outlaw King , tells a powerful story that is rich in drama, excitement, romance, and adventure,” said Piers Handling, Director & CEO of TIFF. "Audiences are promised a thrilling journey back in time, as David Mackenzie masterfully unwraps history with taut dramatic flare and brings to life the true story of Scottish hero Robert the Bruce. Gripping performances led by Chris Pine and Aaron Taylor-Johnson make this a classic, entertaining, and action-packed Festival opener." “Thank you, TIFF, for welcoming our film into the world. The Festival is the perfect launch pad for our realistic epic, and we are delighted to be the first Scottish film ever to open Toronto,” said director David Mackenzie. “I cannot imagine a better place to have our World Premiere. Scotland and Canada’s histories are bound together, forged in the crucible of the struggles of history, bringing this day an affinity and sensibility that I hope will translate to a profound, visceral, and riotously entertaining experience. We have an amazing cast and crew working at the top of their game, and we are really looking forward to spreading some Scottish goodwill on the great city of Toronto.”Outlaw King follows the untold, true story of Robert the Bruce, who transforms from defeated nobleman to outlaw hero during the oppressive occupation of medieval Scotland by Edward I of England. Despite grave consequences, Robert seizes the Scottish crown and rallies an impassioned group of men to fight back against the mighty army of the tyrannical King and his volatile son, the Prince of Wales. Filmed in Scotland, the project was made with the full support of Creative Scotland and the Scottish government. The film opens in select theatres and launches globally on Netflix November 9, 2018.The 43rd Toronto International Film Festival runs from September 6 to 16, 2018. For film synopses, cast lists, images, and more information, see tiff.net/galas. Festival tickets go on sale September 3 at 10am (TIFF Member pre-sale September 1 from 10am to 4pm). Buy tickets online at tiff.net, by phone at 416.599.TIFF or 1.888.599.8433, or in person at a box office. See box office locations and hours at tiff.net/tickets