Latest news with #DefJamRecordings
Al Bawaba
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Justin Bieber and Scooter Braun's splint throws record label plans Into uncertainty
ALBAWABA - Justin Bieber split from Scooter Braun creates major uncertainty around his future music releases and plans. Scooter Braun, Justin Bieber's famous manager, and Bieber announced their split after working together for many years, which was essential in the commencement of Bieber's artistic career and his achievement of enormous success on a global scale. Justin is the latest celebrity to join Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and Morgan Wallen in managing their own careers. To realize his vision and aspirations for a new artistic phase, which he intends to create in his own unique style, he assembled a close-knit group consisting of friends and colleagues like himself. Justin Bieber Instagram profile Bieber's posting of a series of cryptic messages on Instagram, which prompted a number of his pals to express their concern for him, was the event that kicked off the debate. Poo Bear, a producer and songwriter who worked with Justin on hits such as "Where Are U Now" and "What Do You Mean," was one of the individuals who expressed their support for him by saying, "Whatever Justin is going through, I'm praying for him and hoping he's okay." Although Justin Bieber is under contract with Def Jam Recordings to record four more albums, the company is still waiting for a new album to be released because of the uncertainty that surrounds his artistic destiny. "He'll release his music when he feels comfortable," a source close to Justin Bieber was reported as saying by The Hollywood Reporter. This statement confirmed that Justin is now doing jam sessions at his house, away from the spotlight. While all is going on, the record label is eager to release a new album for Justin Bieber, particularly because the demand from the public is still high. On the other hand, insiders close to the label warn that things will continue to be tricky "until his issues with Scooter Braun are resolved."
Axios
18-03-2025
- Business
- Axios
Qualtrics' X4 Summit begins in Salt Lake City
Qualtrics' annual X4 Summit kicks off in Salt Lake City Tuesday. The intrigue: Over 6,000 people are expected to attend the three-day conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center, featuring speakers like Def Jam Recordings co-founder Rick Rubin and executives from Walmart, Hilton and KFC. What they're saying:"Our theme is about connections," Qualtrics chief marketing officer Lynn Girotto told Axios. "And we're finding in the era of AI that is more and more important than ever." The conference is set to attract business leaders in customer experience, HR, strategy and research, Girotto noted. Between the lines: Qualtrics, the Provo- and Seattle-headquartered tech company co-founded by sports tycoon Ryan Smith, has expanded its footprint in Utah's state agencies, the Salt Lake Tribune reported last year.
Telegraph
21-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
A billionaire pop star may be headlining Glastonbury – and it's not Taylor Swift
Is Rihanna heading to Worthy Farm? After years of speculation, the jigsaw pieces are falling into place for the Barbadian pop superstar to finally headline Glastonbury Festival, the world-famous music jamboree that takes place in Somerset over the last weekend of June. I hope she packs her, ahem, umbrella. Word has reached The Telegraph that the 37-year-old singer is planning a residency of up to six concerts at London's former Olympic Stadium in early July. Rihanna's opening shows at the now-renamed London Stadium, home to West Ham football club, are tentatively set to take place on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July with further possible shows earmarked for 8, 9, 11 and 12 July, according to a well-placed live music source. A second senior concert industry source said that Rihanna's promoters are 'holding' London Stadium, meaning that the shows are at the advanced planning stage. An announcement could come as soon as next week. The run of concerts – her first in almost a decade – would commence just five days after Glastonbury ends on June 29. It is, as Glasto-watchers' parlance goes, a whopping Glastonbury Shaped Hole – or GSH – in the singer's schedule. Forget Taylor Swift, another phenomenally successful and wealthy artist who's often been linked to a Glasto headline slot (Swift was due to perform in 2020 before the pandemic cancelled the festival). It looks like 2025 could be the year for a different pop behemoth to take the honours – Rihanna. The rumours may prove to be just that, but the likely London shows are just too convenient. If she plays, she'll join Neil Young as a headliner after the Canadian veteran was confirmed in early January. Rod Stewart has also been confirmed in the festival's Sunday afternoon Legends slot. The timing of the comeback works for another reason. Word of Rihanna's likely shows comes just days after her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, was found not guilty in a Los Angeles felony assault trial of firing a gun at a former friend. He had faced up to 24 years in prison if convicted of all the charges. The couple have two sons together. Rihanna's first tour since 2016's Anti World Tour would be a very big deal. Rock purists may grumble about a pop act headlining Glastonbury, should it happen. But Rihanna is one of the world's most successful recording artists, having sold an estimated 250 million records since she signed to Def Jam Recordings in the mid-Noughties. Her eclectic output takes in pop, R&B, dance music, hip hop, reggae and balladry and is bound together by one of modern music's most versatile and soulful voices. Rihanna's had 14 US number one singles – the most ever behind The Beatles, Mariah Carey and Elvis Presley. Tracks like Umbrella, featuring rapper Jay-Z, Only Girl (In the World), Diamonds and We Found Love, her EDM banger with DJ Calvin Harris, were worldwide mega hits. She has also duetted with Eminem, Coldplay and Drake, which leaves plenty of scope for special guests at any Pyramid Stage appearance. Above all this, Rihanna's a style icon and an actor, appearing in Ocean's 8 in 2018 and providing the voice of Smurfette in this summer's forthcoming Smurfs movie. She's also a wildly successful entrepreneur through her fashion, lingerie and cosmetics companies under the Fenty umbrella. In 2021, Forbes named Rihanna the wealthiest female musician in the world with a business empire estimated to be worth $1.7 billion, or £1.35 billion. (It took Swift until 2024 to become a billionaire, according to the same publication.) Which brings us to another, tantalising aspect of Rihanna's London summer sojourn. Her shows would come a month after archrival Beyoncé plays six concerts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, five miles to the north of West Ham's ground. It would be the mother of London music diva derbies, a clash of the pop titans to end all clashes. And, if Rihanna plays Glastonbury in addition to her six shows, she'd be one up on Beyoncé's six concerts at Spurs. Granted, Beyoncé has already headlined Glastonbury (in 2011) but Rihanna's tour would come with a definite sense of Beyoncé's limelight being challenged. Rihanna and Beyoncé have long been friendly competitors. Both are entertainment polymaths with vast business empires to their names. And they're halves of music power couples: Rihanna with Rocky and Beyoncé with Jay-Z. Their lives have overlapped. Jay-Z has always been a mentor to Rihanna, first at Def Jam, which he ran, and then at his own label Roc Nation, to which Rihanna later moved. As well as on Umbrella, Rihanna and Beyoncé's husband duetted on his 2009 track Run This Town and her 2011 song Talk That Talk. And what of Glastonbury? Securing Rihanna would be a coup. She doesn't need the money and she would bring an unforgettable show to the Vale of Avalon. As well as heritage acts like Paul McCartney and Elton John, the festival has opted for increasingly poppy headliners in recent years, with Dua Lipa, SZA and Billie Eilish topping the bill. Rumours that Rihanna was plotting a comeback tour and would possibly headline Glastonbury started circulating in 2023. Towards the end of that year stories also appeared that a new album – her ninth – was in the works, her first since album since 2016's Anti. Some reports suggested that she'd signed a multi-year contract with promoter Live Nation, said to be worth £32 million, although at the time Billboard quoted a source saying that the figure was 'made up' and that no tour had been confirmed. It is not known if Rihanna's London dates would form part of a larger world tour, although one source said these would be her only stadium shows anywhere in the world this year. Rihanna has an affinity with London, having lived in the capital between 2018 and 2020. She is thought to have rented a £32 million mansion in St John's Wood. It was only after fans spotted her carrying a Sainsbury's Bag for Life that she confirmed she had moved here. Meanwhile last year she was reportedly spotted at Red Bus recording studio in the capital, fuelling speculation that a comeback was on the cards. Rihanna's opening London date of Friday July 4 would coincide with one of the biggest music weekends of the year. Oasis will kick off their highly-anticipated reunion tour on the same night in Cardiff, while Lana Del Rey plays Wembley Stadium. Meanwhile, a reformed Black Sabbath will headline the Back to the Beginning festival – dubbed 'the heavy metal Live Aid' – in Birmingham the next day. Also performing that weekend in London's Hyde Park are Sabrina Carpenter and Noah Kahan, and Fontaines D.C. and Stereophonics in Finsbury Park. In recent years, Rihanna has largely stayed away from the limelight to bring up her young family. Not that having children has completely stopped her, though. When Rihanna performed at the Super Bowl half-time show in 2023 (a show arranged by Jay-Z's Roc Nation), she was pregnant with her second child with Rocky. She accidentally revealed her baby bump to 121 million people when the zip of her red jumpsuit failed to do up, she said after the show.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lyor Cohen Writes Open Letter to Kanye West: ‘You've Chosen a Path That Sows Discord'
Lyor Cohen, the former president of Def Jam Recordings, has issued an open letter addressed to Kanye West. Cohen is currently YouTube's global head of music and the CEO of 300 Entertainment. West released his debut album, 'The College Dropout,' via Roc-A-Fella and Def Jam in 2004, the same year Cohen left his position as president of the label for Warner Music Group. More from Variety Kanye West Dropped from Talent Agency Following Antisemitic Behavior Kanye West Sued by Jewish Staffer After Texting 'Hail Hitler' Kanye West's Yeezy Website Down After Selling Swastika T-Shirt; Shopify Says West 'Violated Our Terms' Amid Backlash In his letter, Cohen pleads West to be 'more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate.' This follows West's ongoing tirade against Jewish people — this includes everything from the sale of a T-shirt with a swastika on it (and a Super Bowl advertisement for the webstore), to West calling himself a Nazi via X. Read Cohen's letter below: Dear Kanye, I am deeply disappointed and troubled by your recent actions involving the use of Nazi symbols and antisemitic rhetoric. Your words and actions are not only offensive but triggering to all decent people who recognize the horrors of the Holocaust and the suffering of millions. With antisemitism on the rise, your voice and influence carry a significant responsibility. I urge you to be more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate. Your talent and reach could be used to heal and inspire, to bridge divides and promote understanding. Instead, you've chosen a path that sows discord and perpetuates harmful stereotypes. The Jewish and Black experiences share a rich history of collaboration and mutual support, particularly in the music industry. From the early days of jazz and blues to the groundbreaking work of Motown and beyond, our communities have enriched each other through music and culture. I urge you to reflect on this shared legacy and use your platform to build upon the love and understanding that have always existed between our communities. Sincerely,Lyor Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
CBS News
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
Irv Gotti, hip-hop mogul who co-founded Murder, Inc., dead at 54
NEW YORK -- Irv Gotti, the famed hip-hop music executive from New York City, has died at the age of 54. Def Jam Recordings shared a message on social media late Wednesday night confirming his death, saying the label is "deeply saddened." "His contribution to Def Jam, as both an A&R executive and in partnership with Murder, Inc., helped pave the way for the next generation or artists and producers, a force that reshaped the soundscape of hip hop and R&B," the message read, in part. "His creative genius and unwavering dedication to the culture birthed countless hits, defining an era of music that continues to resonate with fans worldwide." By early Thursday morning, the post had more than 100 comments and thousands of likes from people sharing their regards. Among those paying tribute, Fat Joe posted a photo with the caption, "What a Genius, God bless you Irv, [thank you] for all you've done for Hip Hop. You changed my life and I will always love you RIP." Irv Gotti, the man behind Murder, Inc. Gotti, born Irving Domingo Lorenzo Jr. in Queens, got his start as a talent scout in the mid-1990s, bringing future superstars DMX and Jay-Z to Def Jam. He was an executive producer on DMX's debut album, and he co-founded the record label Murder, Inc., which helped launch the careers of Ja Rule and Ashanti. Shelley Wade, a radio host for 94.7 The Block, said Gotti's body of work continues to resonate with fans. "Ja rule, Ashanti, I mean, when I'm on air, those are not just the songs I'll be playing today in tribute to Irv Gotti, but those are songs we play every day," Wade said. Chuck Creekmur, who co-founded said Gotti cared deeply for the genre and the artists. "And he poured into the artists he dealt with. He poured into the music that he produced. And he created an empire from that. So I think that his legacy is really and truly a man who had really pushed very hard from humble beginnings in Hollis, Queens to the highest, highest echelons in music," Creekmur said. Gotti remains an inspiration to generations of hip-hop artists, including Amadeus, a multi-platinum producer and musician. "When you make and create timeless music and music that's from your heart and soul, that's not gimmicky, that's not something trendy. It lasts forever," Amadeus said. Gotti and his brother, Christopher, stood trial in the early 2000s over their ties to a known drug kingpin, but they were both cleared of the charges. The case was closely watched by some of the music industry's biggest stars, and Ja Rule called it a "war against hip-hop."
