andPOP » record label

Tim McGraw Sued For Breaching Label Contract

Christian Allaire — Tue, 17 May 2011 23:45:04 +0000

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Curb Records is suing country star Tim McGraw for a breach in his label contract, reports Billboard.

The record company alleges that McGraw recorded the album too early prior to its delivery “in a transparent tactic to attempt to fulfill his contractual recording commitment to Curb prematurely in breach of the recording agreement.”

Curb’s position in the suit is that McGraw’s recordings must be “topical and new” and that the artist had agreed that each new album would be recorded “no earlier than 12 months and no later than 18 months” following the delivery of the previous album.

The suit alleges McGraw began recording “Emotional Traffic” tracks “in 2008 or before,” prior to the allowable period under contract.

Curb has been the only label home for McGraw, who released his first album in April of 1993. In recent years, McGraw has been outspoken about his frustration with his label deal. Guess this is the nail in the coffin for him.

The suit seeks undisclosed damages and a sixth “option period” record, as well as “injunctive relief preventing him from agreeing to provide, or providing, his personal services as a recording artist for the benefit of parties other than Curb Records until he has fulfilled his duties and obligations under the Recording Agreement.”

I know he breached his contract, but what do they really care if he recorded it earlier than supposed to? As long as he produces good music, I think they should be fine with it.

Outkast’s Big Boi To Launch Kids Record Label With Daughter

Christian Allaire — Thu, 12 May 2011 22:22:24 +0000

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Outkast rapper Big Boi is launching a kids record label with his daughter, Billboard reports.

The rapper says he and his 16-year-old daughter, Jordan, have formed Purple Kidz, a new record label that will launch in the coming weeks. The label will feature younger artists but will target fans of all ages.

“My daughter just turned 16 years old, and you can see it on MTV’s ['My Super Sweet Sixteen'], where they get cars, and things that depreciate and just don’t mean nothing,” says Big Boi. “I wanted to give my child something that she can grow and build and nurture. So I gave her her own label.”

Big Boi, 36, says that Purple Kidz’ first signee is Gabbie Rae, a 12-year-old singing prodigy who has appeared on ‘The Tyra Banks Show.’

The rapper, who already heads the Purple Ribbon All-Stars hip-hop label, says that he and Jordan are the sole partners on the new imprint.

As for Big Boi’s solo career, he says that all is running smoothly as he continues working on the follow-up to last year’s ‘Sir Lucius Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty.’

“I had a conversation with Barry Weiss, and he was like, ‘Hey Big, great album,’ and he’s ready for the next album,” says Big Boi. “And he wants it ASAP. So, you know, everything’s good.”

I actually think gifting his daughter with a record label is a really sweet gesture. Sure, she is probably spoiled to death, but he seems to be implying hard work on her. She will have to maintain the label and nurture it, as opposed to her just being a singer or model or whatever. I’m guessing she has a huge passion for music, so this path will be a good one for her.

Glee’s Producer Starts Record Label

Christian Allaire — Sun, 08 May 2011 22:07:55 +0000

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Glee’s executive music producer Adam Anders is launching his own record label, reports Billboard.

The label, titled Anders Music Records, will first launch a self-titled debut album of singer/dancer/actor Shane Harper, who plays the recurring character Spencer Walsh on the Disney Channel sitcom ‘Good Luck Charlie.’

Also in the works are albums by Montana native Zac Poor and Texas singer/songwriter Ben Burgess.

“When you do a standard distribution deal, you are being boxed into one system,” Anders says. “By saying, ‘Let’s do everything in-house,’ we can make the decision as to when we need a major.”

Harper’s first single, ‘One Step Closer,’ was featured on ‘Good Luck Charlie’ in April. Radio Disney added the song to its playlist and Abercrombie & Fitch’s Hollister stores used the song and Harper’s image in promotional activities. Guess Anders took notice.

The single has now sold close to 3,000 digital tracks since its March 31 release, while the album has sold fewer than 1,000 units since its April 12 bow, according to Nielsen SoundScan. Harper is currently touring with YouTube star Greyson Chance and Cody Simpson, which wraps May 18.

“I don’t believe in putting out a single and then if it doesn’t hit, drop the artist,” Anders says. “We are here to develop artists — there is no timetable to getting it right.”

“I’m 35 and I tend to gravitate toward younger artists,” he says. “But if the singer is 30 and the music’s great, I’ll consider it.”

The man obviously knows music and has the power to launch his own label, so why not? I like his comment about not dropping artists due to low sales. It’s not always the artist’s fault and I think it’s unfair due to bad promotion or advertising. Hopefully he’ll bring back some integrity to the music business.

Lady Gaga Goes into Angry Rant

Samantha Lui — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:19:42 +0000

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Lady Gaga launched into an angry rant during a recent magazine interview over suggestions that she’s a “manufactured” pop act.

The superstar, who sat down for an interview with Britain’s NME magazine, reacted furiously when she was asked about her public persona and whether her wigs and costumes are all part of an elaborate act designed by her record label.

“Let me tell you something. If you f**king rip my hairbow and my wig off my f**king head, my shoes, my bra, every single thing on my body, and you throw me on a piano with a microphone, I will f**king make you cry,” she raged.

“I feel I have been probed endlessly about who the f**k I am. I have been quite open about it. And still nobody seems to have a clue.”

Gaga was also vocal about songwriters and producers who send her their work, not realizing that she writes her own songs.

“I’m not going to start churning out what you expect. If you want me to be a manufactured act, you can f**k off.”

You tell em’ Gaga! As elaborate your persona is, I don’t think even a record label could create anything as unique and eccentric as you have! Hatas’ gon’ hate!

Amy Winehouse Launches Lioness Records

Emma Renda — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:23:49 +0000

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Amy Winehouse is making headlines again, but this time it’s on her own terms and not that of her drug-addled alter ego.

Winehouse was outfitted with a new set of pearly whites this weekend, repairing that sly grin on the cover of Back to Black that deteriorated in the wake of her excessive substance abuse, according ot Perez Hilton.

Perhaps more noteworthy though, though it’s hard to tell when it comes to Winehouse news, is the record label she launch today.

According to NME, Winehouse’s Lioness Records is officially in business. The first release will be from none other than Dionne Bromfield, Winehouse’s 13-year-old goddaughter, called Introducing Dionne Bromfield. Winehouse told NME she named the label after a necklace her grandmother gave her, and the label’s format was inspired by legendary Motown and 2Tone Records.

NME has posted a video of Winehouse collaborating with her goddaughter, forecasting what could be a very promising debut album.

"The first time I heard Dionne sing, I couldn’t believe what I was hearing … such an amazing voice from such a young girl," Winehouse told NME. "I’m just so proud of her. I’m very lucky to have a record label. I’ve got all these people that I love, that are really talented – and Dionna is my number one."

Winehouse is beginning to turn things around in what looked last year like a potential career collapse. She split from her husband Blake Fielder-Civil, the man her family blamed for much of Winehouse’s public downfall.

After a reassuring guest spot with The Specials at V Fest in Chelmsford, rumours are once again whirling about a follow up to her smash major label debut. Confirmation can’t come soon enough.