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After a disastrous couple months, Hipgnosis Songs Fund (HSF) has agreed to a $1.402 billion takeover from rival Concord Chorus.
In a statement issued early Thursday (April 18) to the London Stock Exchange, the deal values each Hipgnosis share at £0.93, a premium of roughly one third the royalty fund’s shareprice at the close of trading on Wednesday.
“The board is pleased to announce and unanimously recommend this US$1.4 billion offer for Hipgnosis from Concord,” comments Robert Naylor, chairman of Hipgnosis. The acquisition, he continues, “represents an attractive opportunity for our shareholders to immediately realize their holding at a premium, mitigating the risks we see ahead to achieving a material improvement in the share price.”
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HSF has been in the doghouse since a failed investors continuation resolution in October 2023, and a partial catalog sale — effectively a vote of no confidence in both the previous board and the investment advisor, Hipgnosis Song Management.
Matters took another turn last month when HSF, which has amassed a catalog that includes stakes in songs by Neil Young, Justin Bieber, Journey, Lindsey Buckingham, Blondie, Justin Timberlake and many other artists and writers, cut the value of its portfolio by more than a quarter and told investors that it does not intend to recommence paying dividends “for the foreseeable future” as it focuses on paying down debts.
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Compiled by the board’s lead independent adviser, Shot Tower Capital, the report found that Hipgnosis Song Management, run by Hipgnosis founder and music manager Merck Mercuriadis, materially overstated the fund’s revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and supported catalog acquisitions with financial analysis that failed to meet “music industry standards.”
HSF itself overstated the scope of its music assets, the report noted, in disclosures to investors and regulators. And in a pitch last September to investors to sell some 29 catalogs to a sister Hipgnosis company, the fund included a better-than-could-be-expected post-deal valuation, the report found.
Following completion of the acquisition and a short transition period, reads a statement to the London Stock Exchange, it is expected that Concord will take over the management of Hipgnosis’ assets, adding to a business that, since 2015, has completed more than 100 transactions across recorded music, music publishing and theatricals, US$2.8 billion spending spree.
The Hipgnosis board, Naylor continues, is confident that Concord is the “right owner” to take on the Hipgnosis catalogue and manage it in the interests of composers and performers.
The offer has been unanimously recommended by its board and has the support of 29.38 per cent of their shareholders, comments Bob Valentine, CEO of Concord, controlled by investor Alchemy Copyrights. “We believe we are offering a fair price for Hipgnosis’ catalogues and music assets, giving its shareholders the opportunity to realize their investment at a significant premium to the prevailing share price in cash.”
Concord’s leadership identifies Hipgnosis’ assets as further means to grow its business and scale and leverage its operations.
Raye, Sting, Massive Attack, Kraftwerk, Janelle Monáe, and Duran Duran lead the lineup for the 2024 Montreux Jazz Festival, set for July 5 – 20 on the Lake Geneva shoreline.
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Organizers roll out the changes for this year’s 58th edition, including a fresh layout with a new main stage erected on top of the famous Swiss lake, and a return to the historic Casino, the setting of the classic Pink Floyd concert from 1970, and which was later razed and inspired Deep Purple’s “Smoke on the Water”.
Deep Purple will return to perform on the lake this year, joining a lineup that includes PJ Harvey, Smashing Pumpkins, Jungle, André 3000, Air, Tems, Tyla and many others.
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After a triumphant night at the 2024 Brit Awards, where she scooped a record six trophies, Raye will perform on the Lake Stage, doing so the same night as Janelle Monáe.
More than 40 years after forming in Birmingham, England, Rock Hall-inducted pop-rock legends Duran Duran will make their Montreux Jazz Festival debut this year, off the back of the Halloween-influenced 16th studio album Danse Macabre, which opened at No. 4 on the Official U.K. Chart in November 2023, for their 12th top 10 appearance.
Established in 1967 by late jazz connoisseur Claude Nobs, the festival has hosted many of the greats of contemporary music, from Prince to David Bowie, Nina Simone, Quincy Jones, Marvin Gaye, Elton John and others. Mathieu Jaton has directed the fest since 2013, the year Nobs passed away.
Nearly 250,000 spectators attend the event in a regular year, which continues to evolve and introduce audiences to styles and tunes well outside the broad world that is jazz, with a bill that also takes in pop, hip-hop, Afrobeats, trip-hop, classic rock, soul and funk.
The event paused in 2020 due to pandemic, returned in 2021 with a downsized format, and was back to its regular programming in 2022.
The general ticket onsale starts Friday, April 19 at montreuxjazzfestival.com.
With two wins each, Cub Sport, Jem Cassar-Daley and Bluey composer Joff Bush were the standouts at the 2024 Queensland Music Awards, presented Wednesday, April 17 at Fortitude Music Hall in Brisbane.
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Homegrown electro-pop act Cub Sport nabbed album of the year for their ARIA No. 1 collection Jesus At The Gay Bar, and the electronic award for “Songs About It.”
“This is very unexpected,” drummer Dan Puusaari said from the dais as Cub Sport collected best album honors. “We’ve been a band for 13 years, won our first QMA 12 years ago, it’s very cool to still be up here, still making music. It’s a massive privilege. This is the fifth record we’ve made. To be acknowledged like this is really cool.”
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Jem Cassar-Daley snagged the pop award and song of the year, the QMAs’ top honor, both for “King of Disappointment.”
With the song of the year award, Cassar-Daley, daughter of homegrown country great Troy Cassar-Daley, scores a prime piece of real estate – a plaque on the Walk of Fame in the city’s Brunswick Street Mall.
As she accepted her trophy, Cassar-Daley thanked “every single one of you in this room for inspiring me to pursue music, even during COVID when everything had locked down and we’d all lost gigs.”
Composer Joff Bush won the children’s music award for “Dance Mode” and music for screen award for “Cricket,” both written for the popular animated series Bluey.
Also, country veteran James Blundell was honored with the lifetime achievement award, recognition of a decades-long career during which he has recorded 14 studio albums, won nine CMAA Golden Guitars, and earned induction into the CMAA Role of Renown and the CMC Hall of Fame.
“It is an acknowledgement of survival,” he said of his latest award, which he celebrated with members of his family. “I say to all the young artists I work with that longevity is a major part of the equation. You can be fabulous for a nanosecond but to sustain a career, well you’ve got to be a bit more interesting (laughs). Now I have never claimed or intended to be an interesting artist, but I have lived very honestly and very much in the public eye. So, I am very grateful to receive this award.”
Other winners included Busby Marou (blues/roots award), DZ Deathrays (heavy award), Tia Gostelow (Indigenous award), and Sahara Beck (soul/funk/RnB category).
“We are massively proud Queenslanders, and we’re inspired by the young fellas coming through. And of course, all the old fellas too,” remarked Thomas Busby, one-half of Rockhampton roots act Busby Marou. The “beauty of making music,” he added, is that you “make friends all along the way, then you keep them.”
The 2024 Queensland Music Awards are produced by QMusic, which is supported by the Queensland government. Guests in the room included Queensland premier Steven Miles.
2024 Queensland Music Awards winners:
Major Awards
Song Of The Year
Jem Cassar-Daley – ‘King Of Disappointment’
Album Of The Year
Cub Sport – Jesus At The Gay Bar
Lifetime Achievement Award
James Blundell
Scholarships
2023 Billy Thorpe Scholarship
Lottie Mcleod
2023 Carol Lloyd Award
Jo Davie
Dennis “Mop” Conlon Scholarship
Kristal West
2023 Grant Mclennan Fellowship
Georgia Potter
Dalwood-Wylie Foundation Scholarship
Ethan Roberts
Category Awards
Blues | Roots Award
Busby Marou – ‘Conversation’
Children’s Music Award
Joff Bush – ‘Dance Mode’ (Bluey)
Contemporary Classical & Music For Stage
Karin Schaupp – ‘Cybernylon’
Country Award
Tori Forsyth – ‘Sometimes’
Electronic Award
Cub Sport – ‘Songs About It’
Folk Award
Minor Gold – ‘Cannonball’
Heavy Award
Dz Deathrays – ‘My Mind Is Eating Me Alive’
Hip Hop Award
Ozi Jarel – ‘Uptown’
Indigenous Award
Tia Gostelow – ‘Spring To Life’
Jazz Award
Andrew Butt Trio – ‘Le Baiser Salé’
Music For Screen
Joff Bush – ‘Cricket’ (Bluey)
Pop Award
Jem Cassar-Daley – ‘King Of Disappointment’
Rock Award
Felony. – ‘Everyone I Like Wants To Kill Themselves’
Soul | Funk | Rnb Award
Sahara Beck – ‘Compromise’
World Award
Taitu’uga – ‘Falealili Manusamoa’
Youth (Ages 10 – 17) Award
Parker – ‘Sofa Bed’
Regional | Regional Award
Lt – ‘Act Your Age’
Video Award
Luis Campbell, Adam Hasa & Julian Panetta – ‘Make It So Easy’ By Jordan Briton Feat. Juno
Export Award
Skin On Skin
Highest Selling Single
Fisher & Kita Alexander – ‘Atmosphere’
Highest Selling Album
Brad Cox – Acres
Venues + Festival Of The Year Awards
People’s Choice Award Metro Venue Of The Year
The Fortitude Music Hall
People’s Choice Award Regional Venue Of The Year
Kings Beach Tavern
People’s Choice Award Festival Of The Year Nominees
Gympie Music Muster
Accessible Venue Of The Year
Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct
Trailblazing Indigenous artist Bart Willoughby is the recipient of the 2024 Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
The prestigious honor will be presented at the 2024 APRA Music Awards, to be held May 1 at ICC Sydney, on Gadigal land.
Willoughby was a founding member and the driving force behind No Fixed Address, Australia’s first and arguably most influential First Nations reggae-rock band, and the first Aboriginal band to sign a major label deal.
The group’s 1981 protest song “We Have Survived” continues to resonate and is preserved in the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.
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Willoughby’s “fusion of reggae with traditional Indigenous influences is a testament to the richness and diversity of Australia’s original cultural identity,” reads a statement from the PRO. “His illustrious career has garnered numerous accolades, yet his influence transcends music, encompassing roles as a cultural ambassador, a master storyteller, a nurturing mentor, and a steadfast advocate for truth within Indigenous communities nationwide.”
The Ted Albert Award is one of the Australian music industry’s highest decorations, and is decided by the APRA board of writer and publisher directors.
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Previous recipients include the late Mushroom Group chairman Michael Gudinski, Paul Kelly, The Seekers, Cold Chisel, former Alberts CEO Fifa Riccobono and last year’s honoree, Colin Hay of Men at Work.
“I am very proud to receive the Ted Albert Award for my services to Australian music,” comments Willoughby, a Kokatha and Mirning man. “The best advice I received as a young musician was from Aunty Leila Rankin at CASM whilst I was preoccupied practising; she kindly opened the door and forced me out telling me ‘I’ll learn my craft on the road, it’s been a Long Road.’”
Ahead of this year’s APRAs, Taylor Swift and co-writer Jack Antonoff win most performed international work for “Anti-Hero,” her hit lead single from her chart-topping 10th studio album Midnights. “Anti-Hero” wins from a shortlist that included songs by Ed Sheeran, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, and David Guetta.As previously reported, Sarah Aarons leads the pack heading into 2024 APRAs, with Troye Sivan, Budjerah, Ainslie Wills, Styalz Fuego, Amy Shark, The Kid LAROI, James Johnston and MAY-A close behind.
Established in 1982, the Australasian Performing Right Association’s annual songwriters’ ceremony is one of the Australian music industry’s most treasured events, a worthy counterpart to Britain’s Ivor Novello Awards.
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A reporter caught Donald Trump dozing off during his Manhattan “hush money” trial again, and social media was quick to poke fun at him.Former president Donald Trump was back in the Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday (April 16) for the jury selection in his “hush money” trial involving adult film star Stormy Daniels. But the proceedings seemed to have a different toll on Trump, as a reporter in the courtroom observed him falling asleep. Frank G. Runyeon, who is covering the trial for the legal analysis website Law360, detailed the septuagenarian’s slumber in steps in a post on X, formerly Twitter.
“Trump’s head slowly dropped, his eyes closed. It jerked back upward,” Runyeon wrote. “He adjusts himself. Then, his head droops again. He straightens up, leaning back. His head [droops] for a third time, he shakes his shoulders. Eyes closed still. His head drops. Finally, he pops his eyes open.” Other reporters present in the courtroom also noticed Trump’s nodding off, which some noted lasted a minute or more.
The moment caught on like wildfire on social media, with the hashtag #SleepyDonald rising in the trending categories. Alina Habba, one of Trump’s lawyers and a frequent spokesperson, dismissed the idea as a “remarkable story at best,” before adding: “There were a tremendous amount of emotions being heard yesterday. I wasn’t there so I can’t comment on that. I find that to be a ridiculous thought though.” Trump himself has bragged that he doesn’t need a lot of sleep in the past. Maggie Haberman of the New York Times also pointed it out, also noting that he dozed off in court on Monday (April 15).
Trump’s sleepiness was still a hot topic on the court’s off day on Wednesday (April 17), with one expert stating to The Daily Beast that the significance of the trial as he is the presumptive Republican nominee for the 2024 presidential election is weighing on him. “Anyone that is on the campaign trail and fighting all these indictments against him might not be sleeping well,” said Dr. Chris Winter, a sleep expert and advisor to Mattress Firm.
We’ve collected some of the more colorful responses to Trump’s snoozing moment on social media below.
1. Ron Filipkowski
2. Jon Cooper
3. TruthHurts
4. Victoria Brownworth
5. Ron Waxman
6. Marc A Caputo
7. Santa Claus, CEO
8. Janey Vee
9. We The Sheeple
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It’s starting to seem like today’s celebrities are learning the hard way that when you deal with women (well, anyone) you meet off of Instagram or OnlyFans, it’s not necessarily going to be a one-and-done affair. Kai Cenat has become the latest student of how cold the game can get when you play around with the wrong one, but he’s not taking it lying down (at least not like he did at one point with her).
According to Vibe, the world-famous social media influencer is allegedly being extorted by an OnlyFans model, Layla Red, who is looking for a bigger payday in exchange for her secrecy pertaining to their sexual encounter. Apparently, Red has been asking Cenat to cough up $5,000 (on top of the $5,000 he’d allegedly already paid her) or she’d go public with their “relationship.” To show that she wasn’t playing, the OF content creator “leaked” a picture of a naked Kai sleeping in her bed after one of their “baby-making sessions.”
Trying to avoid looking like a simp to his millions of fans, Cenat went on the offensive and refuted the notion that he came out of pocket for $5,000.
Per Vibe:
However, Cenat went live on Sunday night (April 14) debunking the OF content creator’s claims and threatening to take her to court due to her breaking a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that she supposedly signed.
He also shared a transcript of his Apple Pay transactions, showing proof that he never paid her five stacks for sex, but only $50 for her Uber ride.
In response, Red also shared a screen recording of her own which apparently shows a message from Cenat sending over $5k via Apple Pay.
After Red tried to drop her receipts, Kai Cenat went digital age petty on the model and informed everyone that he purchased her name domain so that any time someone Google’s her name, they’ll be directed to “all of her lies,” instead of her OF link, Vibe reports.
That’s pretty damn clever.
Continuing to fight for his good name, Cenat continued to troll Red on his Live and let viewers witness just how messy things can get when you try to come for him and his money. That man really seems unbothered by the situation. Just sayin’.
Check out the posts below, and let us know your thoughts on the situation in the comments section.
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It seems G. Dep is looking to resurrect his music career. He says he is looking to reconnect with Diddy despite his pending legal issues.
As reported by HipHopDX the Harlem, New York, native was recently released after serving over 10 years in prison for a robbery-turned murder. In December 2023, his 15-years to life sentence was commuted by Governor Kathy Hochul and he was released earlier this month. Now, as a free man he has conducted multiple interviews with various media outlets. Recently, he spoke to Fox 5 New York about his plans post prison and recording new music.
He also made it clear that the public shouldn’t be so quick to condemn Diddy when it comes to his ongoing legal issues. “I’m like, ‘When? When did that happen?’” G. Dep said. “We were in the studio for months on end with each other. So I don’t know where this is coming from. People should give people the benefit of the doubt. If somebody just saying that you did something, you know people can say anything.” He then went on to directly address the Bad Boy Entertainment executive saying “[I] got a lot of songs, bro. I’m looking for you so we can get some type of musical situation going.”
You can watch the G. Dep interview below.
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Just three months after he last commanded Billboard’s Latin Airplay chart, Bad Bunny is back in charge as his single “Perro Negro,” with Feid, jumps 2-1 to rule the April 20-dated ranking. It’s Bad Bunny’s 25th No. 1 and Feid’s sixth.
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On the overall Latin Airplay ranking, “Perro Negro” moves ahead of Eladio Carrión’s “TQMQA,” after accruing 9 million audience impressions in the U.S., a 5% gain, in the week ending April 11, according to Luminate. As “Perro Negro” trades places with “TQMQA,” the latter falls to No. 2, after one week in charge, with 8.8 million impressions, that’s an 8% dip from the previous week.
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“Perro Negro” earns the gold medal for its first week and joins 13 other songs that hit No. 1 in 2024. Notably, only three out of those rulers secured two weeks or more atop (including Maluma and Carin León’s “Según Quién” which ruled for four weeks between 2023-24) while the other 10 rulers passed on the crown after only one week in charge. Here’s the updated look at those 2024 champs:
Title, Artist, Weeks at No. 1“Según Quién,” Maluma & Carin León, four“Bubalu,” Feid & Rema, two“Monaco,” Bad Bunny, one“Harley Quinn,” Fuerza Regida & Marshmello, one“La Diabla,” Xavi, two“Borracho y Loco,” Yandel & Myke Towers, one“La Falda,” Myke Towers, one“Qlona,” Karol G & Peso Pluma, one“Por El Contrario,” Becky G with Leonardo Aguilar & Angela Aguilar, one“No Es Normal,” Venesti, Nacho & Maffio, one“Baccarat,” Ozuna, one“Puntería,” Shakira & Cardi B, one“TQMQA,” Eladio Carrión, one“Perro Negro,” Bad Bunny & Feid
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“Perro Negro” becomes the fourth song from Bad Bunny’s Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana to hit No. 1 on Latin Airplay, following one-week rulers “Where She Goes” (August 2023), “Un Preview” (Dec. 2023) and “Monaco” (Jan. 27-dated list).
Benito’s Latin Airplay chart run began with the No. 1-peaking “Mayores,” with Becky G, on the Feb. 17, 2018-dated survey. He’s placed at least two No. 1s every year since then, for a total of 25 career rulers out of 47 entries on the ranking. Bad Bunny has the fifth-most No. 1s on Latin Airplay, with J Balvin in the lead with 36 leaders.
Notably, Bad Bunny boasts his longest-leading No. 1s on Latin Airplay through two collabs with acts outside of his core Latin rhythm genre: “Mia,” featuring rapper Drake, and “Un X100to,” with regional Mexican Grupo Frontera, both for six weeks in charge in 2018-19 and 2023, respectively.
Feid, meanwhile, boasts his sixth No. 1 on the radio ranking.
Elsewhere, “Perro Negro” rebounds 6-5 on the multi-metric Hot Latin Songs, which combines airplay, streams, and downloads, following two weeks at its No. 2 high beginning last November. The song dips 10-11 on Latin Streaming Songs despite a 1% gain in streaming, to 4.8 million during the tracking period.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
You don’t need to slather tanning oil onto your skin to achieve a sun-kissed glow (or risk serious skin damage if you’re not following up with the best sunscreen). These days, it’s never been easier to go faux — at least with your tan. Case in point: beauty brand Coco & Eve has a self-tanning kit that’s not only TikTok viral, but on sale for 26% off for a limited time.
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The brand has become famous on TikTok for its at-home products that help deliver a natural looking tan without needing to bake under the sun. It’s become so popular, that the retailer as well as Ulta and Amazon have struggled to keep the tanning kit in stock, but Coco & Eve has the Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Set on its own site discounted down to just $55.
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Keep reading to learn more about the product and how to use it properly.
Is Coco & Eve a Good Self Tanner?
TikTokers can’t stop raving over the self tanner, not only for its formula that “smells so good,” but the smooth application process.
User @prettylilyliar took to the social media platform to show her application process and its results, which has received more than 36,900 views, so far. The TikToker walks through how to apply the kit “so natural and even” looking.
Normally, the three-piece kit is retailed for $74, but Coco & Eve has dropped it down to $55 and it’s still in stock (for now).
Sunny Honey Bali Bronzing Set
$55
$74
26% off
Each self tanning kit comes with a Coco & Eve’s bestselling self tanning bronzing foam that’s available in three shades and is made with vegan ingredients. The formula comes with a mango and guava scent that’s non-sticky, and the foam has a lightweight feel. As for the color, it’s gradual as you apply it onto your skin, but will develop in up to two hours. For a more even application, you’ll also receive a glove and brush to smooth everything out.
It’s not just TikTok that loves the bestselling kit, the Coco & Eve self tanning set has already racked up a 4.8 star rating, with reviewers praising how “it doesn’t run off on my sheets or clothes.”
And, for your face, Coco & Eve has an Antioxidant Face Tanning Micromist for $29 that’ll bronze your face in just a few spritz. To help reach your back, you can also snag the Back Tan Applicator for $21.
If you want to lay out in the sun and work up a tan the old fashioned way, the beauty brand developed a skin-friendly body tanning oil that comes with SPF to give your skin a layer of UV protection.
For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best beauty deals, setting spray and stress relieving tools.
On Tuesday morning (April 16), GloRilla was reportedly arrested on suspicion of DUI in Georgia. According to TMZ, which first reported the arrest, the rapper (real name: Gloria Hallelujah Woods) was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, consuming/possessing an open alcoholic beverage container and a separate traffic charge in Suwanee, Georgia, a suburb […]
