Kanye West has reached an agreement in principle to buy the social media platform Parler, The New York Times reports, citing a news release from Parler’s parent company, Parlement Technologies. The platform, which arose in the wake of Trumpism, brands itself as a free-speech haven, railing against censorship on mainstream social media. West’s Twitter and…
Kanye West’s Instagram account has been restricted for policy violations, the Hollywood Reporter reports. Meta, the social media platform’s parent company, restricts user’s accounts for repeated policy violations—preventing them from posting, commenting, or sending messages—but did not specify which content from West’s account was removed. Pitchfork has reached out to representatives for Meta and Kanye…
The Recording Industry Association of America released its 2021 year-end revenue statistics, reporting that overall revenue for recorded music had reached a record $15 billion, bolstered by the continued growth of streaming and vinyl sales. This year’s streaming revenues—paid subscriptions, ad-supported streaming services, digital and customized radio, Facebook and digital fitness app licensing, and for…
New York Mayor Eric Adams has announced changes to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. Beginning Monday (March 7), indoor settings including music venues, restaurants, movie theaters, and bars, will no longer be required to check for proof of vaccination before customers enter. Adams clarified that businesses “will still have the flexibility to require proof of vaccination or masking…
Live Nation has announced that it will no longer promote concerts or conduct any business in Russia, NPR reports. “Live Nation joins the world in strongly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” reads the company’s statement. “We will not promote shows in Russia, and we will not do business with Russia. We’re in the process of…
Beach House’s new album Once Twice Melody is No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Album Sales chart this week, Billboard reports. Of the 20,300 copies the band sold in the first week, over 70% of those came from vinyl sales. Once Twice Melody features 18 new songs, which were rolled out across multi-song “chapters” over the…
Spotify CEO and co-founder Daniel Ek has addressed the company’s handling of the ongoing controversy surrounding Joe Rogan and his Spotify-exclusive podcast, The New York Times reports. “In general, what I would say is, it’s too early to know what the impact may be,” Ek reportedly said during an earnings call on Wednesday, February 2….
David Crosby and Stephen Stills are joining their former bandmates Graham Nash and Neil Young in requesting the removal of their music from Spotify. “We support Neil and we agree with him that there is dangerous disinformation being aired on Spotify’s Joe Rogan podcast,” the members of Crosby, Stills & Nash said in a statement. “While we always value alternate points of view,…
Bob Dylan has sold the master rights to his entire recorded music catalog to Sony Music Entertainment, the company has announced. The deal also includes “the rights to multiple future releases.” Billboard estimates that Dylan’s master rights are worth over $200 million. In a statement, Dylan said, “Columbia Records and [Sony Music Group Chairman] Rob…
Warner Chappell Music has acquired the global music publishing rights to David Bowie’s song catalog. WCM and the estate of David Bowie announced the news earlier today (January 3). According to a report by Variety, the catalog was purchased for “upwards of $250 million.” The deal has been in the works for several months, and…
