Latest news with #A&R
South China Morning Post
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Who is Chris Janson's wife Kelly Janson? The ‘Buy Me a Boat' country music star says it was love at first sight, and penned ‘Holdin' Her' as a testament to their love
American musician Chris Janson has been with his wife Kelly Lynn for nearly two decades. The pair met at a Nashville bar in 2007 and tied the knot three years later, but the 'Buy Me a Boat' singer claims that he knew the moment he saw her that he was going to marry her. Chris Janson has been married to Kelly Lynn Janson since 2010. Photo: @thekellyjanson/Instagram Advertisement Janson has said that he celebrates his wife and their marriage everyday: 'Every day that I get to wake up beside Kelly feels like a celebration. We're partners in everything, and we're in love,' he said in a 2018 interview with The Tennessean. So what do we know about Kelly Janson – the woman who inspired his 2016 single 'Holdin' Her'? She used to work at a recording label Kelly Janson was a consultant for a recording label when she met Chris Janson. Photo: @thekellyjanson/Instagram When Kelly and Janson first crossed paths at that Nashville bar, she was a single mother of two working as an A&R consultant at a recording label. It was actually under the guise of pitching songs to her that Janson first approached Kelly, inviting her to his cabin to co-write songs. Her first meeting with Janson Chris Janson and Kelly Janson dated for three years before getting married in 2010. Photo: @thekellyjanson/Instagram While the 'Drunk Girls' crooner might have immediately pinpointed his future wife when he saw Kelly, little did he know that she was equally struck by Janson at first sight.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Diddy and Ex-Girlfriend Misa Hylton's Relationship Timeline
Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Misa Hylton welcomed one child before calling it quits decades ago. Diddy connected with Hylton in the early 1990s as they were at the start of their respective careers. Diddy started off as an intern at Uptown Records while Hylton was a budding stylist. As the pair began to make a name for themselves in the industry, Hylton became pregnant with her and Diddy's first child. In 1993, they welcomed son Justin Combs. Shortly after Justin's arrival, Diddy and Hylton split. After their breakup, Diddy moved on with Kim Porter, with whom he shared son Christian Combs and twins D'Lila and Jessie. (Diddy also adopted Porter's son Quincy Taylor Brown. Porter died in 2018.) Diddy also shares daughter Chance Combs with ex Sarah Chapman and daughter Love Combs with ex Dana Tran. Diddy's Family Guide: Meet the Rapper's Children and Their Mothers Hylton, for her part, was married to JoJo Brim from 1995 to 1999. They share son Niko and daughter Madison. While Hylton and Diddy began their families with other partners, the exes remained coparented Justin for years. Keep scrolling to relive their relationship timeline: 'We were dating at the time and he had just went from intern to A&R,' Hylton told BET in March 2023. 'He had a new position at Uptown Records and he was in charge of putting together the album musically but also for their look.' Hylton shared that she worked with Diddy as his assistant after she finished her school day. Diddy returned the favor by giving Hylton her first solo project: styling Jodeci for his 'Gotta Love' music video. She opted to put the musician in streetwear and changed how R&B musicians would style their looks in the future. The twosome welcomed Justin in December 1993. During a 2017 appearance on 'The Premium Pete Show' podcast, Hylton shared that she and Diddy broke up shortly after Justin's arrival because the music mogul wasn't ready to settle down as his career was starting to take off. The exes reunited to celebrate Justin's 16th birthday. Diddy organized a star-studded bash in New York City for the occasion. The trio posed for a family picture on the red carpet. Hylton attended Diddy's 50th birthday celebration in Los Angeles. The fashion designer raised eyebrows after she posted a series of cryptic posts after Justin was arrested for a DUI. (Justin was booked with a misdemeanor and released on a $5,000 bond.) 'I'm not protecting no one anymore, just my son 💯,' she wrote via her Instagram Story at the time. 'The statement 'a fish rots from the head down' means that, in addition to being a major contributing factor in a family or organization's success, leadership is also the root cause of its failure and demise. The Truth shall set you free.' When Diddy's homes were raided by homeland security, Justin and brother Christian were present for the investigation at their family's Los Angeles home. Hylton spoke out against law enforcement and claimed they executed 'overzealous and overtly militarized force.' '[The force] used against my sons Justin and Christian is deplorable. If these were the sons of a non-Black celebrity, they would not have been handled with the same aggression,' she wrote via Instagram alongside footage from the incident. 'The attempt to humiliate and terrorize these innocent young BLACK MEN is despicable!' As Diddy's legal troubles continued, a video of Diddy assaulting then-girlfriend Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura in 2016 surfaced. Hylton voiced her support for Cassie at the time. 'I am heartbroken that Cassie must relive the horror of her abuse, and my heart goes out to her. I know exactly how she feels, and through my empathy, it has triggered my own trauma,' Hylton wrote via Instagram. 'These young people were raised by women that want the best for them — we put God and education first and have always been united in our mutual effort to support their dreams. Two of the youngest do not have their mother here and it has been our duty to support them. Their father needs help and I am praying that he truly does the personal work and receives it.' On May 12, Hylton stepped out in New York City to attend the opening day of Diddy's sex trafficking and racketeering trial. The rap mogul faced charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution. Diddy pleaded not guilty to all charges and has denied the allegations against him. Hylton — who was using a walker during her public outing — was joined by her and Diddy's son, Justin Combs, at the hearing. After appearing publicly in court, Hylton took to social media to explain and defend her appearance. 'When I suffered my injury, I had chosen to heal privately but when my son said 'Mommy I need you' I was right there for him walker and all,' Hylton wrote via Instagram on May 17. 'I'm a MOTHER FIRST, FOR REAL and I am my son's strength and thats just what it is. Plain and Simple. Whoever doesn't understand that just simply isn't in alignment with me or anything that I'm about in life.'
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
Vikk The Groove: Turning passion into power and purpose
Ntsako Victor Rankapula Vukeya, better known as Vikk The Groove, is not just a musician but a creative force exploring multiple art forms, including music, creative directing, and visual storytelling. With about a decade in the industry, Vikk has become a name people recognise and respect. Drawing inspiration from global icons like Drake, Brent Faiyaz, and local legend AKA, Vikk's mission goes beyond fame. ALSO READ: Thembisa comic to feature in Tembisawapopayi music video 'More than anything else, I want people to take my story and use it as proof that you can come from humble beginnings and still make it in life,' he said. 'Success to me means being able to look back and say you opened doors for others, and they paid that forward to the next generation.' His recent feature on the Skuta Baba remix marks another milestone. 'An A&R agent from Universal Music Africa who scouted for a DJ to feature on the come-up remix contracted me. My name kept coming up, and just like that, I was on it,' Vikk shared. He added that performing live remains one of the most fulfilling aspects of his career. ALSO READ: Con Amore School hosts musical workshop 'Seeing the smiles on people's faces when I am on stage, knowing I might inspire the next artist or helping someone forget their problems, is a powerful thing.' Vikk credits his unique sound and perspective to his diverse upbringing, having lived in the township, the suburbs, and rural areas. 'All those experiences shaped me. Reconnecting with my original producer, FKA Moses, for this latest track was special. We both have grown so much, and our growth inspired me to speak boldly on the record.' He remains grounded in his faith and is thankful for the journey. 'I always give it to God. I am blessed to have fun doing my job. That mindset, combined with feeding off the crowd's energy, helps me light up the stage.' Vikk also acknowledges the internet's transformative role in the music industry. 'The internet has done a great job opening doors for artists, making it easier to connect, collaborate and grow our brands. It created new revenue streams and marketing tools we did not have before.' ALSO READ: Local musician gives back through pad drive Looking ahead, Vikk focuses on expanding his brand and empowering others. 'If I could change anything, it would be to bring focus to the music business and financial literacy among artists. Right now, I have an event series in the works, a new TV show or radio opportunity on the horizon, and an EP by the end of the year.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warner Music Group Corp (WMG) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Growth Amidst ...
Total Revenue: Increased 1%. Recorded Music Revenue: Increased 1%. Music Publishing Revenue: Increased 3%. Subscription Streaming Growth: Increased 3%. Ad-Supported Streaming: Declined 3%. Physical Revenue: Increased 2%. Artist Services and Expanded Rights Revenue: Decreased 6%. Licensing Revenue: Increased 3%. Adjusted OIBDA: Decreased 1% with a margin of 20.4%. Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA Margin: Increased 10 basis points to 23%. Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA: Increased 5% with a margin of 27.4%. Operating Cash Flow: Increased to $69 million from a use of $31 million in the prior year quarter. Free Cash Flow: Increased to $33 million from a use of $57 million in the prior year quarter. Cash Balance: $637 million as of March 31. Total Debt: $4.3 billion, with net debt of $3.7 billion. Weighted Average Cost of Debt: 4.1%. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with WMG. Release Date: May 08, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Warner Music Group Corp (NASDAQ:WMG) reported a 1% increase in total revenue, with recorded music revenue growing by 1% and music publishing revenue by 3%. The company has a strong presence on global charts, with significant success in Spotify Global 200 and Billboard charts, indicating effective A&R investments. WMG is expanding its market share in high-growth regions such as MENA, Nigeria, and India, where monetization is shifting towards paid streaming. The company is actively investing in technology, exemplified by the launch of the WMG Pulse app, which provides artists with real-time insights from major DSPs and social media platforms. WMG is focusing on strategic M&A activities to enhance its market position, with plans to reinvest cost savings into high-quality music assets with high margins. WMG experienced a decrease in adjusted OIBDA by 1% and a decline in adjusted OIBDA margin by 50 basis points, primarily due to revenue mix. The company faced market share pressure in China and a tough year-over-year comparison in subscription streaming, impacting overall growth. Ad-supported streaming revenue declined by 3% due to a soft overall ad environment. Artist services and expanded rights revenue decreased by 6%, attributed to lower concert promotion revenue and ongoing weakness in the e-commerce business. The company anticipates challenges in subscription streaming growth to persist for the remainder of the fiscal year, resulting in lower growth than previously expected. Q: Given the challenging quarter and limited visibility, what confidence can you give investors about Warner Music's growth prospects? Also, how are you thinking about subscription streaming growth for the year? A: Robert Kyncl, CEO: We are excited about our strategy, which focuses on growing market share, increasing the value of music, and improving efficiency to reinvest in music and technology. Our investments in A&R are showing early signs of success, with significant chart presence and market share growth in new releases. We expect similar trends as in Q2 for the rest of the year. Q: Can you elaborate on your strategy to grow global market share, especially in emerging markets? Also, what happened in China regarding subscription streaming? A: Robert Kyncl, CEO: We have strong leadership in high-growth markets like Mexico and Brazil. In China, we expect the current trends to continue for the rest of the year. We have a new head of Asia starting soon to help drive growth in the region. Q: How should we think about the timing of benefits from DSP renewals? A: Robert Kyncl, CEO: While I can't go into specific details, the benefits from DSP renewals will take time to materialize. We are making progress, but there's still work to be done. Q: What changed in your expectations for high single-digit subscription growth? Was it mainly due to China, and how does the lighter release slate factor in? A: Robert Kyncl, CEO: Our results are impacted by tough comps, market pressure, a lighter release schedule, and weakness in China. The release slate can shift due to various creative reasons, affecting the volume of releases. Q: Can you discuss your investments in A&R and the outlook for margins? A: Robert Kyncl, CEO: We focus on capital allocation based on global value of local repertoire. Bryan Castellani, CFO: Margins were affected by lower streaming growth and increased investments in tech and A&R. We will provide more updates on margins in the next call. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Katy Perry Shares Excitement About Going to Space Ahead of Blue Origin Launch
Katy Perry is counting down the minutes before she heads into space later today. Late last night, the singer shared a behind-the-scenes video reflecting on her excitement about the experience. 'I've dreamt of going to space for 15 years and tomorrow that dream becomes a reality,' Perry wrote in the caption. 'The Taking Up Space Crew launches tomorrow morning at 7am CT and I am SO honored to be alongside 5 other incredible and inspiring women as we become the first ever all female flight space crew!' More from Rolling Stone Katy Perry's A&R Claims He's to Blame for Singer's Work With Dr. Luke on '143' Katy Perry Going to Space Next Month Katy Perry Proposes Rebecca Black Join Her for Lifetimes Tour (She Says Yes) In the clip, Perry showed off the capsule and her seat inside, which is emblazoned with 'K. Perry.' She also sang a few lines, noting that 'I gotta to sing in space.' Perry explained that while her instinct is to say she 'can't believe this is happening,' that's not the case. 'I do believe this because believing your dreams and saying that is actually how you make your dreams come true,' Perry said. Perry will be among the passengers on Jeff Bezos' space tourism company Blue Origin's spacecraft New Shepard. The all-female crew also includes broadcast journalist Gayle King, activist Amanda Nguyen, movie producer Kerianne Flynn, entertainment reporter (and Bezos' fiancée) Lauren Sánchez, and an aerospace engineer who previously worked at NASA, Aisha Bowe. The flight will be the New Shepard's 31st overall and 11th suborbital flight with humans aboard. Over the weekend, Perry told the Associated Press she hopes her experience inspires other. 'I am talking to myself every day and going, 'You're brave, you're bold, you are doing this for the next generation to inspire so many different people but especially young girls to go, 'I'll go to space in the future.' No limitations,' she said. She added, 'I'm really excited about the engineering of it all. I'm excited to learn more about STEM and just the math about what it takes to accomplish this type of thing.' Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
