Xposition - December, 2018

Attention!!!

Hip-Hop rules 2019 Grammy Awards Nominees

Kendrick Lamar and Drake lead the Grammy Awards nominees with the two receiving 8 and 7 nods respectively. Lamar’s All the Stars with SZA is nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Rap Performance and Best Song Written for Visual Media, while the original soundtrack of the film, Black Panther wherein he is featured is nominated for Album of the Year. Drake’s God’s Plan is also nominated for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Rap Song while his Scorpion in nominated for Album of the Year. Cardi B and Childish Gambino have also garnered 5 nominations each.

Musicals lead the 2019 Golden Globe Nominations

The Golden Globe nominations were announced last week with the musicals leading the way. A Star is Born has 5 nods including Best Picture, Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy for Lady Gaga and Best Original Song for Shallow. Mary Poppins Returns has been nominated 4 times followed by Queen-biopic Bohemian Rhapsody with 2 nods. Shallow goes up against stiff competition like Black Panther’s All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar & SZA and Boy Erased’s Revelation by Troye Sivan.

Billboard releases its 2018 Year-End Lists

Billboard has released its most anticipated year-end lists for the US with Drake named as the Top Artist, Top Male Artist and claiming the biggest single of the year with God’s Plan. The biggest album of 2018 was Taylor Swift’s Reputation with her being named as Top Female Artist as well. Cardi B is the Top New Artist while Imagine Dragons topped the Artists – Duo/Group category and BTS was dubbed the Top Social Artist.  

Final Judgment in ‘Blurred Lines’ Suit 

US District Judge John Kronstadt delivered the final judgment in the Blurred Lines copyright lawsuit wherein Robin Thicke, Pharrell Williams and Williams’ publishing company, More Water From Nazareth Publishing Inc. was ordered to pay the Marvin Gaye estate over USD 4.9 million. The lawsuit which began in 2013 was filed by Gaye’s estate over copyright infringement of his 1977 hit Got to Give It Up. Gaye's family was also rewarded 50% of the song's future royalties.

Spotify Settles a USD 1.6 Billion Claim Over Songwriter’s Rights

Music streaming giant Spotify has settled a USD 1.6 billion claim over songwriter and publishing rights for an undisclosed amount. The lawsuit was filed in 2017 by Wixen Music Publishing over the alleged use of more than 10,000 songs without a license or compensation. Wixen looks after compositions of many high profile artists including Neil Young, Stevie Nicks, Rivers Cuomo and the late Tom Petty.

Ariana Grande breaks record with Thank U, Next video

Ariana Grande premiered the music video for her biggest hit to date, Thank U, Next, breaking the record for most-watched video in YouTube within 24 hours, achieving over 50.3 million views surpassing the views for BTS’ Idol. The video is inspired by iconic 2000s flicks Mean Girls, Legally Blonde, Bring It On and 13 Going On 30.

Artists face backlash over imminent performances in Saudi Arabia

The Black Eyed Peas, Enrique Iglesias, Jason Derulo, OneRepublic and David Guetta are to headline the Saudi Ad Diriyah E-Prix, an auto racing series and multi-day music festival. The Human Rights Foundation has called for the cancellation of their performances due to the human rights violations by Saudi Arabia and its crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Mary Poppins Returns with new tracks

The sequel to Walt Disney’s beloved musical-fantasy film is coming to cinemas this December after a lapse of 54 years. The soundtrack featuring 27 songs out of which 9 are brand new was released last week. Songs are performed by Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Ben Whishaw, Angela Lansbury and Dick Van Dyke.

Brexit Poses Threat to UK’s Music Industry

The recently formed Music4EU initiative in an open letter warned of how Brexit represented a significant threat to UK’s music industry. The letter was signed by over 550 industry representatives including musicians such as Annie Lennox, Paloma Faith, Chrissie Hynde and Nick Mason. Post-Brexit, the UK artists will find it more expensive to reach consumers and fans, and international markets will be harder to access. Moreover they will be unable to benefit from EU’s proposed copyright reforms.

Cher Announces Memoir and Biopic

Cher announced on Twitter that she will be releasing a memoir in 2020 which would be followed by a biopic. Prior to this, Cher released a collection of essays titled The First Time covering major events of her life in 1998.

Aretha Franklin Tribute Concert

A tribute concert for the late superstar has been announced to be held on 13 January 2019 by the Recording Academy, AEG Ehrlich Ventures and CBS titled Aretha! A GRAMMY Celebration For The Queen Of Soul. Performing songs from Franklin’s repertoire are Grammy winners Alessia Cara, Kelly Clarkson, Common, Celine Dion, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, John Legend, Patti LaBelle, and BeBe Winans as well as current Grammy nominees Brandi Carlile, H.E.R., Janelle Monáe, and SZA.

Shakira Charged With Tax Evasion

Colombian singer Shakira has been charged with tax evasion in Spain. The singer is alleged to have avoided Euros 14.5 million in tax by claiming she lived in the Bahamas, whereas she actually resided in Catalonia, Spain. It will be left to a judge now to decide if there is enough evidence for her to face trial.

Chris Brown Charged Over Exotic Pet Monkey 

The Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office has charged Chris Brown with two counts of owning a restricted species without a permit for his exotic pet capuchin monkey, Fiji. The maximum sentence for the offence is 6 months in jail. They had obtained a search warrant for his home, but he voluntarily agreed to hand over the monkey before his property was raided.

Chart News

In the US, Ariana Grande continued her reign into the month of December with Thank, U Next which was dethroned by Travis Scott’s Sicko Mode, but Grande returned with force and held on to the crown for the remainder of the month. During the month Meek Mill ft. Drake’s Going Bad and Andy Williams’ Christmas classic It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year entered the top 10.

In the UK, Grande continued her reign with Thank U, Next as well, although she missed out on the coveted Christmas No.1 which went to LadBaby’s comic version of Starship’s We Built this City. During the month Ava Max’s Sweet But Psycho, Mark Ronson ft. Miley Cyrus’ Nothing Breaks like a Heart, Ariana Grande’s Imagine and the X Factor UK winner Dalton Harris coronation single, a cover of Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s The Power of Love featuring James Arthur, all entered the top 10 during the month.

Other songs which became popular during the month were:

1.       Cardi B – Money

2.       Stephen Puth – Sexual vibe

3.       Marc E. Bassy ft. G-Eazy – Love her too

4.       Ariana Grande – Breathin’

5.       Alan Walker ft. Sofia Carson, K-391 & CORSAK – Different world

6.       Rita Ora – Falling to pieces

7.       Bebe Rexha – Knees

8.       Skylar Grey – Everything I need

9.       Post Malone & Swae Lee – Sunflower

10.   Gucci Mane, Bruno Mars & Kodak Black – Wake up in the sky 

Till the next beat...

At Ease!!!