Latest news with #musicbusiness
Bloomberg
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Bloomberg
A Big, Pending Case Unites and Divides the Music Industry Over Fraud in Streaming
Hello, hello. Welcome back to Soundbite. Yesterday I spent part of the day at a conversation about fraud in the music business. It was partially put together by Katherine C. Reilly, the former head of the complex frauds and cybercrime unit for the US Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. Previously, she helped bring the case against Michael Smith, who is accused of using generative artificial intelligence to make songs and drive streams to them to the tune of $10 million. The results of the case could set a major precedent in the streaming era. Smith's lawyers didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. During the conversation, Reilly gave some backstory on how the case came together, and the audience got a little heated over the current state of fraud prevention in the streaming world. We'll dive in. Also, my calendar is booking up pretty quickly, but if you'll be in New York next week for all the music industry and Tribeca happenings, let me know. I'd love to meet with some more people.
News24
27-05-2025
- Business
- News24
Ami Faku's music journey: From her sonic evolution to being business savvy
Ami Faku says the right team and separating logic from emotions is crucial in surviving the music business. She says the bond she creates collaborating with fellow artists is what shines through in her art. Ami is working on her next album and will be performing at the Sunset Music Series on 1 June. ________________________________________________________________________ From an Eastern Cape church girl to becoming the voice of amapiano's renaissance, Amandu 'Ami' Faku's creative talent speaks volumes. She has been a steady presence in South African music since being featured on chart-topping tracks like Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa's Abalele and Asibe Happy, whether she's songwriting or blending her melodic harmonies with the log beats and synths of arguably South Africa's most recognisable music export. Now with five years under her belt making hits and bagging awards, the 32-year-old artist is honing her craft, more intentional than ever about surrounding herself with the right people in her team and giving her audience what they want. Ami admittedly describes herself as 'very upfront' - whether it's putting her all in her music or making herself heard during our conversation over the rumbunctious personalities doing her hair at the salon. Learning the art of business and music The entertainment and subsequent music industry is no walk in the park, especially if one is surrounded by those who might not have your best interests at heart. It has been reported that Ami launched legal proceedings against her manager and his record label citing alleged lack of financial transparency and unpaid royalties. Steering clear from the subject, the musician instead gave TRUELOVE some insight into how she has grown regarding her approach to the technical and business side of music, while staying true to her passion and integrity. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ami Faku (@ami_faku) 'I've grown in terms of just knowing my weaknesses and strengths and not being afraid to ask questions. For instance, the business side of things is extremely important. And also knowing that being emotional is - when it comes to the business - it's not about that. So, separating the two, with the music you can be [emotional] but with business you have to use logic and sense.' Ami continues, 'So I've taken my part in every day trying to learn the business side of things. And knowing when to ask questions and what to ask. And also just having the right team is extremely important, especially for your business. So, understanding that has done a great number for me. Because I wasn't good at that, so I knew I wasn't, so I took my time to just work on that.' Trusting her instincts Ami's latest projects include soulful harmonies with artists like Nkosazana Daughter intertwined with expertly curated beats from producers like Black Coffee, MashBeatz and Karyendasoul. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ami Faku (@ami_faku) She is intentional about who she works with, explaining that building relationships, a connection and a bond with fellow creatives gives that art that much more meaning. Ami says, 'Connection is very important. Relationships are extremely important and that's what I prioritise. So, when you don't have that bond with people, it lacks in the art. So, for me, I've realised through just always working with people that, that's super important in just general, generally in everything you do in life.' Something new on the horizon Many are still waiting in the wings for another full album project from the musician since her 2019 release Imali, and Ami assures her supporters that it is well on the way. 'Because it's been too long,' she acknowledges. But for now, fans can look forward to seeing her at the Johannesburg edition of the Sunset Music Series, set to be held at Walter Sisulu National Botanical Garden on Sunday, 1 June 2025 alongside the Thugela Fairy, Sonini songstress Simmy. 'Mostly I'm looking forward to just performing with the full band,' Ami shares. 'That usually is not how I perform, so when I'm getting the opportunity to, that really makes me excited because then there's a connection that we all have, and we've played for over five years together, so it's gonna be a fun for us and as well for the audience.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sunset Music Series (@
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Geri Horner is still cashing it in from her Spice Girls days as she banks £860,000 in a year through girl group
Geri Horner is still profiting from her years as Ginger Spice, almost three decades after she quit the Spice Girls in 1998. The singer, 52, has several profitable business ventures alongside her husband Christian Horner, including a race horse company, real estate investments and as a children's author. However, even without those incomes, the pop star is still sitting pretty, as new accounts filings reveal she made more than £860,000 last year though her former band. Geri's company, Wonderful Productions, was set up to receive income from the Spice Girls, and according to the latest published accounts, has reported an £862,312 profit for the 12 months up to August 2024. This takes the accumulated earnings held by the mum-of-two in the business to a staggering £2.16 million. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The singer, 52, has several profitable business ventures alongside her husband Christian Horner (seen together last year), including a race horse company, real estate investments and as a children's author Geri created Wonderful Productions in 1997 - originally under the name Firecracker Productions Limited - at the height of the Spice Girls' fame and channels earnings from her career in music and other commercial deals. She later set up Falcon Queen Productions in May 2021 to provide 'business support activities', of which she is the director and sole employee and controls via Wonderful Productions, which owns all the shares. Despite the enduring love of the 90s girl group however, the business has seen its finances go up and down over the years. MailOnline revealed in February last year that it was a very different story for Geri, with accounts for Wonderful Productions showing she made a loss in 2023 of £77,994. While Falcon Queen Limited also made losses of £75,521 and plunged £276,000 into the red. However, the year prior had seen Geri enjoy a £762,240 payout from the company, while in 2020 she paid herself more than £1 million and in 2019 the business was worth £3 million. It comes after it was revealed that her already staggering wealth was only getting bigger, after her horseracing empire enjoyed a bumper year. Geri and husband Christian, 51, set up their racehorse owning company, OMBI, back in 2021, with the musician and the Red Bull F1 team principal splitting ownership evenly. And in September, the latest published accounts were revealed to show that after a £600,000 spending spree in 2023, the business' earnings were tripled. The documents revealed that the couple forked out £137,000 on biological assets, £280,000 on buildings and £187,000 on motor vehicles to take assets held to just under £1million. Their investment was seen to have paid off, as OMBI made a profit, with retained earnings after bills climbing to £220,000 from £69,000 the year before. Geri and Christian own a number of race horses, which they have all renamed with titles from tracks from Geri's solo career, including Look at Mee, Lift Me Up, Mi Chico Latino and It's Raining Men. All of the couple's horses run under the 'GHR' banner, which stands for Geri Horner Racing. The pair also finished work in 2023 on a 14-horse stable, which includes two foaling stalls, at their Oxfordshire home - despite sparking complaints from their neighbours. Speaking about his love for horse racing, Christin told the The Telegraph it was 'just a bit of fun' and admitted it was 'bit of escapism away from the madness of F1'. He added: 'We don't really know what we're doing but it's exciting. It's something Geri and I both get a kick out of and something we enjoy as a family.' Geri is also working to take her Rosie Frost trilogy to the big screen, after turning to writing in 2007 and publishing of children's and young adult novels. Last month, The Sun reported she is in talks with film bosses about a movie adaptation of her books, as a consultant. An insider said: 'Geri has had meetings with film bosses over the past month and there have been serious discussions about bringing her book trilogy to the big screen. 'They see real promise in the stories and believe a movie adaptation is a real possibility. 'If a deal is struck, Geri would act as a consultant, she won't be involved in the actual making of the movies as she's happy to leave that to the experts - but it's certainly an exciting time for her.'
News24
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News24
5 minutes with Gigi Lamayne: hustle, heat and hip hop
When we last caught up with her, she was pursuing her MBA. Now, the multi-talented rapper, also a businesswoman, sits down with TRUELOVE for an intimate catch up session. Studying has helped her with the language and structure to articulate the madness that is the music business. 'I think choosing the MBA route was my Beyoncé 'Let me upgrade you.' Before, I was moving on instinct and passion, now I move with strategy. I see beyond the beat; I see contracts, market gaps, IP value and brand scalability,' she shares excitedly. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gigi LaMayne (@gigi_lamayne) READ MORE | Style Crush | Gigi LaMayne's daring and eclectic taste in fashion She balances her public voice with your personal evolution through reading, healing, praying and learning. While she has learned that evolution doesn't need to be loud to be powerful, her public voice still stands as Gigi the trailblazer, the mouthpiece and the movement. On her influencing journey, she believes artistry doesn't stop on the stage and rather also extends to the screen. 'The same phone I use to record voice notes is the same phone I use to inspire, sell and connect. We're not just rappers anymore, we're content creators, trendsetters and cultural investors.' As someone who is re-entering the music scene after a pause, she wants her legacy to scream 'she did it all and she brought people with her'. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tinashe Peter Dlodlo (@jg_v_fotography) 'Artistically, I'm leaning into vulnerability and innovation, I want bars that hug you and beats that slap you awake,' she shares. She wants to be remembered as the artist who makes you think, laugh, dance and go get that degree. 'My music is a megaphone for the misfits, the misunderstood and the mighty. I talk about mental health, identity, inequality—real stuff. But I do it with rhythm and bite.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gigi LaMayne (@gigi_lamayne) She continues being the unfiltered, educated, 'hood and holy Black girl' shaping the hip hop narrative in South Africa. 'Yes, we exist! In a world that wants quick hits, I want timeless messages. My music isn't just trending, it's transforming!' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gigi LaMayne (@gigi_lamayne)
