While artists were holding back releasing albums until touring could resume, that seems to be no longer the case. With no end sight of the pandemic, artists have no choice but to release albums. Taylor Swift just dropped another surprise album Evermore. It’s an extension of her previous release Folkore. Like her last album, Evermore had no promotion. But what is promotion nowadays if you can’t tour?

It’s a far cry when Taylor partnered with UPS and had delivery vans drive through the streets of New York, Atlanta and Nashville plastered with posters advertising her new album. She spent months promoting 1989 prior to the release doing multiple interviews, performances and discussing her album on TV shows.
Tay has left a profound message to her Swifties, “I have no idea what will come next. I have no idea about a lot of things these days and so I’ve clung to the one thing that keeps me connected to you all. That thing always has and always will be music. And may it continue, evermore. My new album evermore is out now.
And may I leave with you this: I say truly, through tough times, music shall prevail and ’tis the ultimate connection ‘twixt thyself and the audience.

Bob Dylan sells his songwriting catalog to Universal Music, the largest acquisition ever of a single act’s publishing rights. The price of purchase is estimated at $300M. 

Why did Dylan sell his catalog? For many reasons, but the biggest reason right now is the pandemic. Artists can’t tour and publishing deal prices are at historic highs.
Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks sold a majority stake in her publishing catalog, which valued it at $100 million. What does this mean for Bob Dylan? He can no longer benefit financially from the use of the songs.  Universal Music Publishing Group is the now the beneficiary of all future earnings. Representing Mr. Dylan’s work “is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Universal Music Publishing Group chief Jody Gerson.
Dylan has sold more than 125 million records globally.

The all-too-common tale between the rise and the fall between the manager, the artist, and fan popularity. When things are great, it’s premiers, red carpet moments, and The Met Galas. When circumstances turn nasty, the fingers begin pointing. Such as the case between Pat the Manager and Chance The Rapper.

Chance The Rapper is being sued by his long time manager Pat Corcoran (Pat The Manager LLC) for $3 Million in unpaid commissions. The music manager was replaced by the rappers father and brother.

According to the suit, Chance fired the long time manager after a lackluster release of his first studio album ‘The Big Day‘ released last year. The tour was forced to cancel over poor ticket sales.

Why was Pat The Manager axed? Because of a mediocre album that was written by Chance that wasn’t received well by the public.

The long time manager was part of the 8 years rise of Chance. The story created around Chance is that he’s an independent rapper who made it without the support of a major record label.
This industry liked the underdog story and handed the rapper three Grammy awards in 2017. Plus, it gives the Grammys credibility. It shows the public the award show isn’t rigged by propping up an artist who isn’t backed by a major. This is all a sideshow folks.

According to Pat The Manager, he pumped lots of money into Chance and wants it back. He had an oral agreement with Chance that he would get 15% of net income.

What happened? According to the manager, Chance rushed the process, and put out a mediocre record in an untimely manner. Then the tour flopped following the album release. I find it interesting how the successful DYI independent rapper of 8 years failed to generate any interest from the fans after a mediocre album release. Typically, fans stick around. That’s if there was a legitimate fan base of course to begin with. In this business, you don’t what know what’s real or bull.
According to the manager Chance’s family members started guiding the rapper who have little experience. Managers are all to familiar with scenario when Aunt Gertrude gets involved and the Brother Billie starts making decisions. The days are numbered and the exit strategy begins.

The manager is asking for 1) The reimbursement of $2.5m personal expenditure on Chance’s career 2) the $3m he says he is owed for past unpaid commissions; 3) 15% of Chance’s net profit (recording, merch, and touring) for three years aftering his firing.

Billie Eilish has been forced to officially cancel her “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go” tour after saying there was no way to re-schedule it. “i wish that i could have seen you on tour this year. i’ve missed performing for you and being on stage so much i can’t even tell you,” Eilish wrote in a note to fans.
“we’ve tried as many different scenarios as possible for the tour but none are possible and, although i know so many of you want to hold onto your tickets and vip passes, the best thing we can do for everyone is to get the money back into your hands as soon as we can.”

Do you remember artist feuds? Taylor Swift and Katy Perry. It started when dancers left before Swift’s tour ended to join Perry on her Prismatic tour. Then you had controversies and quarrels between Madonna and Janet Jackson, Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera, and Remy Ma vs Nicki Minaj.

The media landscape changed and the power shifted to influencers. The new media landscape has paved the way for political activists challenging artists. The new feud is Candace Owners vs Harry Styles.

On November 14th Candace Owens criticized Harry Styles for wearing a dress. She said he looked silly wearing a woman’s dress. She started a campaign “Bring back manly men”.

Harry Styles finally defended himself with a a picture of himself wearing a powder blue suit and ruffled shirt while eating a banana and a caption “Bring back manly men,”. “To not wear something because it’s females’ clothing, you shut out a whole world of great clothes,” says Styles.
Owens reiterated that she “inspires global conversation,” but pointed out that she actually likes Styles’ outfit in his shady post to her.
“He looks stupid, but he doesn’t look feminine,” she said in the video, referencing Styles’ blue suit and ruffled white shirt. “He kind of just looks like he’s in a different century and I think it looks good.”
Owens said, “He’s giving me Henry VIII meets Michael Jackson ‘You Are Not Alone’ vibes. I’m digging it. I would wear it, Harry. I love you.”